Turks and Caicos Islands Rebounding Quickly from Hurricane Fiona
The Turks and Caicos Islands are working around the clock to quickly rebound from the effects of Hurricane Fiona, which hit the islands as a Category 3 storm on Tuesday, September 20th, 2022. By 11:50 PM EDT on the same day, the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) advised that the hurricane warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands was discontinued and stated that the National All-Clear was given by the Department of Meteorology.
Preliminary assessments indicate that significant damage across the country was minimal. Major airport updates are as follows:
The Providenciales International Airport re-opened on Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 for all flight operations.
The South Caicos Airport re-opened on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 for all flight operations
The JAGS McCartney International Airport in Grand Turk re-opened on Thursday, September 22nd for emergency and medical flights
Airport operations on North Caicos and Salt Cay remain closed until further notice
Carnival Cruise Line is currently working alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to conduct preliminary assessments of the port facility at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Once completed, all necessary measures will be taken to have the port operating as soon as possible.
Yesterday, during the briefing in the NEOC, the Acting Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams advised that Public Service in Providenciales would re-open on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 – restoring normal service delivery.
“We thank God that the Turks and Caicos Islands were able to hold strong through Hurricane Fiona - with only minor damages and without any lives lost. The following day after receiving the National All-Clear from the NEOC, the hub to the Turks and Caicos Islands – the Providenciales International Airport – was re-opened and international flights arrived” stated Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly. “But while we were extremely fortunate, we acknowledge that some of our neighboring countries were not and our thoughts and prayers are with them”, added Hon. Connolly.
“A day after Hurricane Fiona, we were already welcoming guests back to the home of the World’s Best Beach, Providenciales”, stated Acting Director of Tourism, Mary Lightbourne. “Resorts and hotels in Provo are fully operational, so we encourage guests to keep their travel plans to visit. And in the upcoming days, we will welcome visitors to our sister islands” added Lightbourne.
Caribbean Premier League play-off continues
Reigning champions St Kitts and Nevis Patriots desperately continued to cling to their Caribbean Premier League play-off dreams with a seven-run win over hapless Trinbago Knight Riders in their final group stage contest on Thursday.
Opting to bat first at Guyana National Stadium, Patriots rallied to 163 for six courtesy of Sherfane Rutherford's 78 from 50 balls, and then limited TKR to 156 for seven,despite New Zealander Tim Seifert's 59 from 47 deliveries.
Left-arm speedster Sheldon Cottrell spearheaded the attack with three for 33 — including the wicket of the dangerous Andre Russell for a 17-ball 29 — while off-spinner Kevin Sinclair (2-18) and captain and medium pacer Dwayne Bravo (2-46) chipped in with useful wickets.
The result took Patriots to fourth on eight points and they will now have a nervous wait on the results of the remaining matches before knowing their fate.
Operation Relentless II is in effect for Jamaica
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in partnership with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), launched a major operational initiative ‘Operation Relentless II’, which aims to target criminal gangs and gangsters involved in violent crimes or other aspects of the illicit gun trade.
The initiative, which was launched on Friday, September 23, will place emphasis on the divisions that have the highest levels of violent crimes, including associated lottery scamming and narcotics activities, which fund illicit gun trade in Jamaica, the law enforcers said.
In addition, ongoing conflicts among people involved in the scamming underworld, as well as internal conflicts within criminal organizations over illegal firearms and ill-gotten gains have been considered some of the major drivers of the recent violent uprisings.
As such, Operation Relentless II comes in anticipation of the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction, and Regulation) Act that is expected to bring tougher penalties for owners and users of illegal guns.
Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson, indicated that the launch of Operation Relentless II follows ongoing intelligence and data analysis of the violent crimes committed in the divisions of concern.
He said that a series of joint planning activities with the JDF as well as plans developed at the JCF high command, area, and divisional command levels will be executed under the new initiative.
“This operation features a suite of specific and planned tactical operations designed to target those gunmen, scammers, and other criminals who have no regard for life, and who have been behind the recent shootings and murders,” he said
“We have been gathering intelligence on persons who are funding these violent crimes through lottery scamming and drug trafficking activities with a view to prosecution. We will also be working with other local and overseas law enforcement partners to capture and extradite some of these persons,” he added.
In addition, more manpower and mobility support is being allocated to the divisions of focus to resource the planned operations.
“If you see unusual numbers of police and military carrying out activities in your communities don’t be alarmed,” he cautioned.
“It is part of a series of intelligence and data-driven operations that will be carried out across several divisions throughout the rest of the year.”
Members of the public are being asked to exercise patience and cooperation as the security forces carry out these operations.
Source-Jamaica Observer
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION – RESUMPTION OF SCHOOLS
Following the passage of Hurricane Fiona, an assessment of public schools was carried out across the country.
This early assessment was to ascertain the capacity of schools to resume formal teaching and learning. The Ministry of Education advised the citizens that public schools on Providenciales will resume on Thursday, 22nd September 2022. Hon Rachel Taylor also informed private schools on Providenciales that are in a position to resume may do so.
Public schools in the Nation’s Capital and the other family islands will resume on Monday, 26th September 2022 provided electricity has been fully restored.
The Ministry of Education will provide additional updates about the resumption of schools if it becomes necessary.
Russians flee to border after military call
President Vladimir Putin announced a partial military mobilization on Wednesday, which could see 300,000 people summoned to serve in the war.
The Kremlin says reports of fighting-age men fleeing are exaggerated.
But on the border with Georgia, miles-long queues of vehicles have formed including men trying to escape the war.
One man, who did not want to be named, told the BBC's Rayhan Demytrie he had grabbed his passport and headed to the border, without packing anything else, immediately after President Putin's announcement - because he fell into the group that could potentially be sent to the war.
Some witnesses estimated the queue of cars at the Upper Lars checkpoint to be some 5km (3 miles) long, while another group said it had taken seven hours to get across the border. Video from the scene showed some drivers leaving their cars or trucks temporarily in standstill traffic.
Georgia is one of the few neighboring countries where Russians can enter without needing to apply for a visa. Finland, which shares a 1,300km (800 miles) border with Russia, does require a visa for travel, and also reported an increase in traffic overnight - but said it was at a manageable level.
Other destinations reachable by air - such as Istanbul, Belgrade, or Dubai - have seen ticket prices skyrocket immediately after the military call-up was announced, with some destinations sold out completely. Turkish media have reported a large spike in one-way ticket sales while remaining flights to non-visa destinations can cost thousands of euros.
Germany's interior minister signaled on Thursday that Russians fleeing the draft would be welcome in her country.
Source-BBC
UK may already be in a recession
The Bank of England has raised interest rates from 1.75% to 2.25% - the highest level for 14 years - and warned the UK may already be in a recession.
The central bank had previously expected the economy to grow between July and September but it now believes it will shrink by 0.1%.
It is the Bank's seventh rate rise in a row as it tries to tame soaring prices.
It takes borrowing costs to their highest since 2008 when the global banking system faced collapse.
Inflation - the pace at which prices rise - is currently at its highest rate for nearly 40 years, leaving many people facing hardship.
Prices are also widely predicted to head higher in October, despite a government plan to limit soaring gas and electricity prices for households and businesses.
Raising interest rates makes it more expensive to borrow which should, in theory, encourage people to spend less and cool prices.
But many households with mortgages will see their costs rise. People on a typical tracker mortgage will have to pay about £49 more a month, while those on standard variable rate mortgages will see a £31 increase.
The Bank now expects the UK economy to shrink between July and September. This comes after the economy already shrank slightly between April and June and will push the UK into recession, defined as when an economy shrinks for two consecutive quarters.
Source-BBC
MURDER INVESTIGATION ON-GOING
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are currently investigating a murder that occurred yesterday (September 19th, 2022) afternoon.
Preliminary information state at 5.30 pm, a call was placed to the Police Control Room that several gunshots were heard in South Dock Road, behind the Five Cays area.
Based on the information received, officers were dispatched to the location and observed the lifeless body of a male with gunshot wounds about the body.
A motive is yet to be established for the murder.
The public is being advised to notify the closest police station or to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and give any information about illegal activity anonymously.
Minister of Tourism Elected New Vice Chairman for BOT-CTO
The Minister for Tourism, Honorable Josephine Connolly was nominated and elected as Vice Chairman to represent the British Overseas Territories as part of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) for a period of two years on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
Honorable Connolly is currently in the Cayman Islands attending the CTO's Business Meetings which began on September 12th and ended on Thursday, September 15th. This is the first face-to-face meeting being held since 2019. The meetings include the Caribbean Youth Congress where a Youth Minister of Tourism will be selected. Miss Chelsea Been the Turks and Caicos Islands Junior Minister of Tourism represented the islands. She was chaperoned and coached by Ms. Blythe Clare Training Manager of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board.
On Thursday the Turks and Caicos Islands defended their title as Regional Junior Minister of Tourism. In 2019 Miss Danae Dennie won the regional award as Junior Tourism Minister.
The delegation includes the Permanent Secretary, Cherylann Jones, Director for Tourism, (acting) Mary Lightbourne, and Executive Assistant, Ms. Leandrea Missick.
While in Cayman, the delegation attended the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Caribbean Aviation Day on Wednesday 14th September; under the theme, “Recover, Reconnect, Revive”. The Caribbean Aviation Day will bring together industry experts, senior aviation executives, and government authorities to discuss the sector’s largest opportunities and key challenges across the Caribbean region with the aim of identifying how we can jointly rebuild a more competitive air transport sector in a post-COVID world.
TROPICAL WEATHER STATEMENT #2 FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
At 200 PM AST (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located near latitude 16.2 North, longitude 60.3 West. Fiona is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h). A westward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through early Sunday, followed by a turn toward the west-northwest and northwest Sunday and Sunday night. On the forecast track, the center of Fiona is expected to move across the Leeward Islands tonight, near or just south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Saturday into Sunday, and approach the southern coast of the Dominican Republic Sunday night and early Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next few days. Fiona is forecast to strengthen after moving across Hispaniola early next week. TCIAA Meteorological Department and DDME will continue to monitor forecasts for the storm.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
- RAINFALL: 4 to 6 inches with isolated maximum up to 8 inches
- WINDS: Increase in wind speeds expected with higher gusts by late Monday.
- SURF: Swells generated by Fiona will reach the Turks and Caicos Islands over the weekend.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PUBLIC
- Use this time to download the DDME Alert App for significant weather alerts and for useful information on how to prepare for various hazards. Click the link: http://onelink.to/qe7vn2
- Reduce hazards in and around your property, such as overhanging trees, clogged drains, and unsecured items that can become missiles during high winds.
- Review your Family Emergency Plan and your Business Continuity Plan.
- Discuss with family members what actions they should take if impacted by hazards arising from the adverse weather.
- Prepare your emergency supplies to last at least 3 - 7days.
- Assist neighbours and the elderly in prevention and preparedness activities.
- Continue to monitor the DDME website and Social media pages for official weather updates.
The TCIAA Meteorological Department and the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies will continue to monitor this system and advise the public accordingly.
Forecaster: Holly Hamilton
Cardi B has admitted two offences arising from a brawl
Cardi B has admitted two offenses arising from a brawl in a strip club, as part of a deal that means she will avoid a trial and possible jail time.
The Grammy-winning rapper, born Belcalis Almanzar, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment and was sentenced to 15 days of community service.
Ten other charges were dismissed.
"I've made some bad decisions in my past that I am not afraid to face and own up to," she said in a statement.
In court, the 29-year-old admitted organizing and participating in two attacks on employees of the Angels nightclub in New York in 2018.
According to authorities, the incidents grew out of a feud between Almanzar and two sisters - one of whom she believed was having an affair with her husband, the rapper Offset.
Prosecutors said that, on the first night, Almanzar and her entourage struck the victim, a bartender, pulling her hair, punching her, and slamming her head into the bar.
Two weeks later, they returned, throwing alcohol, bottles, and a hookah pipe at the first victim's sister.
Asked to confirm the details in court, Almanzar did so quietly, admitting she had offered a friend $5,000 (£4,000) over Instagram to assist her in the confrontation.
As well as community service, the rapper has been ordered to stay away from the victims, identified as Jade and Baddie Gi, for three years.
She accepted the plea deal one day before the case was due to come to trial, the New York Times reported.
Source-ABC