SCOTIA BANK TCI GIVES BACK TO STUDENTS
On Friday (October 8) Scotiabank TCI presented a donation of $5000 US to the Turks and Caicos Youth Foundation which owns and operates the Edward C. Gartland Centre (ECG).
The donation will be used to provide support for needy students that participate in the various programmes and activities hosted by the centre.
Speaking during a brief handover ceremony on Friday, Patricia Adams, Managing Director supporter of youth, particularly through educational programmes across the Caribbean region. We also believe that a strong educational foundation is pivotal to building economic resilience school books, uniforms and stationery supplies.
Roxann Wake-Forbes, Director for the ECG Centre expressed thanks to the Bank for the timely of responsible corporate entities like Scotiabank and we are very happy they have found it fit to - Forbes said. She further explained that the donation from Scotiabank will allow the Centre to expand on the back-to-school assistance programme that was offered at the end of the summer period.
The Bank also shared that across the region it will continue to invest against its current philanthropic drive to support the economic resilience of communities by removing barriers to success for youth and disadvantaged groups. In 2020, Scotiabank made a contribution to the Home.
The Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre is a non-profit organization that offers a wide range of after-school activities for the youth of Providenciales.
WEATHER FOR THE TCI ON WEDNESDAY
HERE IS THE ORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT WEDNESDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2021 ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY AT 12 PM.
GENERAL SITUATION: A STATIONARY FRONT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SOME UNSETTLED WEATHER ACROSS THAT AREA WHILE A HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM NORTH OF THE ISLANDS GENERATES MODERATE TO FRESH WINDS.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BEACHGOERS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE RISK OF RIP CURRENT AT NORTH AND EAST COAST BEACHES. BOATERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT FOR POSSIBLE WATERSPOUTS MAINLY IN THE VICINITY OF THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, BREEZY TO WINDY AND WARM WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THE SLIGHT CHANCE OF AN ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM MAINLY ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS THROUGH TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS WHILE A CAUTION REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS. BOATERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS AND 15 TO 25 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS AND 5 TO 8 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 86°F 30°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 72°F 22°C
SUNSET: 6:36 PM
SUNRISE: 7:11 AM THUR.
MOONRISE: 6:55 PM
MOONSET: 7:57 AM THUR.
LOW TIDE: 2:40 PM & 2:44 AM THUR.
HIGH TIDE: 8:35 PM & 8:57 AM THUR.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: THE TROPICS REMAIN QUIET AT THIS TIME AND TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 5 DAYS.
Nicki Minaj and her husband avoid paying $20 million default judgment in assault case
A federal court clerk ruled Tuesday that Nicki Minaj and her husband, Kenneth Petty, will not face a multi-million dollar fine for failing to respond to a lawsuit claiming they harassed and tried to bribe the woman who accused Petty of rape.
Jennifer Hough had asked the court to find the couple in “default” and award her $20 million for not responding. As previously reported, Hough’s lawsuit accuses the couple of “witness intimidation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, harassment, assault, battery, sexual assault and sexual harassment.”
The federal clerk for the Eastern District of New York denied the default request, writing that “it appears” that the "Motorsport" rapper filed paperwork last week saying she finally hired a lawyer to defend her, as reported by Rolling Stone. The clerk added that Petty “has not filed an answer or otherwise moved with respect to the complaint.”
Minaj stated in a court declaration that her failure to promptly respond to the lawsuit was the result of “innocent miscommunications” with her lawyer that led to a delay in paying a retainer fee.
She wrote it "was the product of an innocent mistake, and I ask the court to excuse the delay so that I can defend what I believe to be an entirely frivolous case."
Hough’s lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn, says he still plans to pursue a default motion against Petty for $20 million.
Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in the case in April 1995 and sentenced to 18 to 54 months in prison. In January 2020, he was indicted by a federal grand jury for failing to register as a sex offender when he moved to Los Angeles. In August, he plead guilty to the charge. His sentencing is set for January 24, 2022.
Source-ABC
CCJ president to address two-day virtual regional conference
A two-day conference aimed at ensuring that Caribbean judicial and legal officers have a forum to share experiences and track the technology trends shaping courts, the legal profession and society, gets underway on Wednesday.
The virtual event titled “Evolving Judicial and Legal Practices for the Digital Age” is being hosted by the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions (APEX) and the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN).
APEX executive director, Bevil Wooding, who is also director of Caribbean Affairs for ARIN, said that the Justice and Technology series is a unique collaboration between regional and international internet and justice sector organisations.
He said it will bring together leading jurists, technologists, lawyers, and scholars to “share insights, experiences, and research as they discuss and better understand how regional and global technological innovation and trends are impacting the courts, justice delivery, the legal profession, and legal practitioners”.
President of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, will deliver the keynote address on the theme “The Internet, Law and Society – Evolving Impact of Technology on the Judiciary”.
Other speakers include the former CCJ president, Sir Dennis Byron, who is also the chairman of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute, Justice Michelle Arana, the acting Chief Justice of Belize as well as Justice Margaret McKeown, a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and Michael Abejuela, ARIN’s General Counsel.
The two-day event is being held in collaboration with the Commonwealth Caribbean Association of Bar Associations (CAJO); The Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA); the Internet Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACNIC); the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), and the Bahamas-based Eugene Dupuch Law School.
Source-CMC
THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS CIVIL SERVICE MOURNS THE LOSS OF FORMER ESTABLISHMENT SECRETARY MR. ALPHEUS GARDINER
The Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service mourns the loss of former Establishment Secretary Mr. Alpheus Gardiner who sadly passed away on Thursday October 14, 2021.
Mr. Gardiner, a career public servant who dedicated over 40 years of service to the public service and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, joined the public service in 1971 as a Teacher at the Bottle Creek Primary School.
In 1977 he was promoted to the post of Principal of the Bottle Creek Primary School and in 1979 was appointed to the post of Primary School Advisor (Education Officer); a post he held for 3 years before being promoted to the post of Director of Sports in 1982.
In 1992 Mr. Gardiner was promoted to the post of Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Health and Social Security; a post he held for 3 years before being assigned to the Ministry of Police and Prisons in 1995; Works and Utilities in 1997; Health and Social Services in 1999; Communication, Tourism, Transport, Immigration, Labour and Civil Aviation in 2001 and Development, Investment and Tourism in the Office of the Chief Minister in 2003.
In 2005 Mr. Gardiner rose to one of the highest ranks in the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service when he was appointed to the post of Establishment Secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary which held the responsibility for the overall oversight and management of the public service of the Turks and Caicos Islands; a post he held for 2 years before his retirement in 2007.
In-spite of officially retiring from the civil service in 2007, Mr. Gardiner continued to serve the public service and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands in various capacities since his retirement, having served as a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and Presiding Justice on the island of North Caicos as well as a former member of: the North Caicos District Administration Board; the Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance; Education Advisory and Tourist Board and the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service Commission, an appointment he recently held until August 2021.
Mr. Gardiner made invaluable contributions during his life to Education, Health, Sports, Tourism and the entire Public Service of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
He served as a mentor and inspiration to many persons in these islands; helping to create opportunities for employment and to pave the way for persons like myself to hold the positions that we hold today.
In September 2019 he was honored at a special Civil Service Awards Banquet for his outstanding long service and invaluable contributions to the public service of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are grateful to Mr. Gardiner for his service, his hard work, dedication and commitment to these islands.
We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Mrs. Clara Gardiner, daughters Tissume Williams, Dominique Gardiner and extended family on his passing and pray that his soul will rest in eternal peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time!
Her Excellency Anya Williams
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service of the Turks and Caicos Islands
PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST
GENERAL SITUATION: A FRONTAL BOUNDARY LIES STATIONARY ACROSS THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS, WHILE HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS BEHIND IT.
MARINERS SHOULD BE VIGILANT FOR POSSIBLE WATER SPOUT ACTIVITY IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS… BEACH GOERS IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL ISLANDS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE RIP CURRENTS ALONG NORTH AND EASTERLY BEACHES.
NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY, BREEZY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY AHEAD AND ALONG THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY, BECOMING FAIR AND MILD WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS NEAR THE FRONT TONIGHT.
SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION
WINDS: NORTHEASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET
TURKS & CAICOS & SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY TO MOSTLY SUNNY AND HOT WITH A QUICK PASSING SHOWER, BECOMING FAIR AND MILD TONIGHT
WINDS: NORTHEASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET
DAYTIME HIGH LOW TEMPERATURE 88°F 31°C
OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURE 70°F 21°C
SUNRISE: 7:10AM MOONSET: 6:11 AM HIGH TIDE: 7:42AM 7:57PM
SUNSET: 6:37PM MOONRISE: 6:23 PM LOW TIDE: 1:59PM 2:09 AM WED
EXTENDED FORECAST: THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL REMAIN QUASI-STATIONARY ACROSS THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS THROUGH THURSDAY WHILE THE HIGH PRESSURE MAINTAINS FRESH WINDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: VARIABLY CLOUDY, BREEZY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY IN VICINITY OF THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY, FAIR TO PARTLY CLOUDY AND MILD AT NIGHT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS NEAR THE FRONT.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: VARIABLY CLOUDY, BREEZY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY IN VICINITY OF THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY, FAIR TO PARTLY CLOUDY AND MILD AT NIGHT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS NEAR THE FRONT.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET
TROPICAL WEATHER: TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 5 DAYS.
Two injured as training aircraft crashes in Trinidad
Two people were injured after a light aircraft made an emergency landing at the Piarco International Airport on Tuesday.
“The flight training aircraft, registration number 9YTJU, experienced difficulty on approach for landing at runway 10, and made an emergency landing just north-west of the Piarco International Airport,” the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT) said in a statement.
“Two persons were retrieved from the aircraft, the instructor and a student pilot. They were transported to the Arima Medical Facility and are receiving medical attention. We wish to advise the public that there were no casualties,” the statement said.
It said that the Trinidad and Tobago Fire service, Global Medical Response of Trinidad and Tobago (GMRTT), the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Authority immediately activated emergency response and rescue procedures.
The Airports Authority said no flights have been impacted by the incident and wanted to assure the public that “operations continue as normal at the Piarco International Airport”.
MULTI-AGENCY IMMIGRATION OPERATIONS OCCURRING ACROSS PROVIDENCIALES
Law enforcement officers from across the Turks and Caicos Islands have been active together across Providenciales again this week, targeting unlawful migrants. Joint teams of Officers from Immigration Enforcement Unit and Intelligence and Forgery Units and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have undertaken intelligence-led road checks and operations to businesses across the island.
Marines from the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment have also been deployed to coastlines across Providenciales as part of multi-agency effort to tackle illegal migration to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Marines, who were supported by Officers from Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, conducted surveillance and checking of persons and vehicles in the area.
Speaking from North West Point, the Regiment’s Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Ennis Grant, said, “The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment has deployed to lead coastal patrols where intelligence tells us illegal migrants are likely to try to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands. Working in partnership with agencies, including the Marine Branch and operational units of Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, and Immigration Taskforce, means unlawful migrants are far less likely to be able to enter our Islands undetected.”
The multi-agency activity has been coordinated and overseen by Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Unit Manager Tito Forbes, who said, “This is not a one-off exercise. Tackling illegal migration is a key priority across all agencies and joint operations are repeated regularly. The public will see Officers out in their communities frequently and we are grateful for their cooperation”.
The Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Hon. Arlington Musgrove, said, “We know the community is concerned about the threat of illegal migration, so this should reassure residents that this is something we take extremely seriously. Unlawful migrants should take note – agencies across TCI are out patrolling our communities. I repeat that If you should not be in TCI you should leave, or risk being detained and repatriated”.
The Acting Governor, Hon. Anya Williams added, “As we continue to focus on National Security as one of our strategic priorities, we are implementing a joined up approach across government between our Joint Law Enforcement Agencies: the Police, Immigration and the TCI Regiment to ensure that our borders are protected and that illegal migration is addressed both off and onshore by carrying out various enforcement activities at businesses and in the community. I commend our officers on the work that they are doing and wish them much success as we strive to improve and further expand our law enforcement activities.”
Businesses are reminded that employing an illegal worker is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or to a term of imprisonment of two years, or both. Members of the public with information about illegal migration or illegal working are encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers, which can be done completely anonymously, on 1-800-8477.
PREMIER MISICK ADDRESSES THE NATION ON CRIME
Good afternoon my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders.
I would like to begin with expressions of condolence in the face of national grief on the senseless loss of the life of Mr. Alpheus Gardiner and all those who have been victims of crime but especially murder and other violent crimes.
To the family of Mr Gardiner, I extend to you my heartfelt sympathies and to all those who have been victimized through these traumatizing criminal acts.
In what may be described as a crisis, it is human nature for you to expect your Premier to fix things fast. However, in a complex situation like the emerging pattern of violent opportunistic crime, familiar answers might not work and could even be counterproductive.
My message to you this afternoon is not an easy one to hear. There is no ‘off-the-shelf’ solution to the troubling challenge we face.
With all the unknowns and uncertainties, we need to remind ourselves that we cannot change the past, but we can change how we perceive it and how we look to the future.
Given the totality of the dynamics, the problem is enormous, and all 40 plus thousand of us will have to work together to overcome it.
Together we will get through this difficult period as we stand in place the appropriate nerve centre and networking framework to improve the overall security of our beautiful country. I am asking you to take care of each other and I’m counting on you to do so.
This is not a time for polarising opinions, quick fixes, false promises, or overly simplistic answers. In other words, the problem is not going to be solved by a command-and-control style. The solution requires dialogue and collaboration to find novel solutions and not be driven by fear. We must not flinch in the face of laggards and cowards by having them dictate how we live our lives.
Your Government has been proactive; we have invested heavily in security infrastructure and manpower for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) from around 320 to north of 350.
Yesterday, Friday, 15 October 2021, five detectives from the United Kingdom were sworn in to the RTCI Police Force with another 10 detectives to be sworn in over the next 60 days. In addition to this, RTCIPF is in the process of recruiting 18 local officers.
We have a very proactive National Security Council – nerve centre and networking across Government. Crime and national security are at the forefront of my Government’s agenda; indeed when the shooting took place, I along with my colleagues were meeting to discuss critical national security matters, in a specially convened National Security Council meeting.
We are improving upon the traditional way of crime-fighting; my Government is pivoting toward a technology-enhanced approach to dealing with these incidents of violent crimes.
To demonstrate our seriousness in dealing with the matter, we intend to make the Turks and Caicos Islands one of the safest destinations in the world by leveraging our financial strength to do so.
God bless you all and may He bless the Turks and Caicos Islands. Thank you.
ENDs
Press Conference Statement by Hon Jamell Robinson 15th October 2021
Good Morning Turks and Caicos, I would like to thank team TCI for their presentations in giving you an update on the state of COVID-19 within our islands.
I must say that since the beginning of the spike in early July, significant progress has been made to reduce the overall positive cases and control the spread of COVID-19. This is especially positive within the context of reopening schools for face to face learning.
I would like to offer my condolences to the Gardiner family on their great loss yesterday, as well as to all those that have lost love ones since my last press conference.
Before commenting further on COVID-19, I would like to note how our number one industry is doing since the introduction of the new measures on September 1st 2021. The following statistics were provided by the TCI Airports Authority and the TCI Tourist Board.
In terms of passenger arrivals, September 2021 saw a 10% increase in arrivals compared to September 2019 i.e. just over 22,000 passengers versus slightly over 20,000 passengers.
With the reintroduction of airline flights like Southwest Airlines and other carriers that will begin to fly again into our destination for the high season, we will continue to see positive growth.
In terms of projected room nights, October 2021 is projected to have 10% more bookings compared to October 2019. This is almost double the numbers from September 2021. As we look around, we can see more life and activity returning to these islands.
In East Harbour last week where cabinet held it’s Strategic Retreat, I can tell you that having stayed at the East Bay Resort several times previously that place was full of life and activity for the first time.
The new management group has found a way to attract folks to visit and the future looks brighter for the Big South.
As we’ve all seen by now, just days ago, your good, good government, the people’s government signed the amended development agreement with Carnival Cruise Line for the return of ships to the Nation’s Capital Grand Turk for December 7th, 2021 along with a $25 Million pier extension project to accommodate bigger ships.
This doesn’t even include the $4 million of infrastructural works that is allocated for improvements to get Grand Turk ready for the return of the cruising industry. All and all, I dare say in the words of Patrice Roberts “Better days are coming”.
Now to COVID-19. There will be no changes to the Health regulations as they currently stand. That is for several reasons.
1. We have made significant progress but we are not out of the woods just yet. Our Positivity rate is at 2.0% down from as high as 3.7% and we only have one person hospitalized in relation to COVID-19 directly. We unfortunately, are still on Level 3 on the CDC travel list which I believe is too high but I’m hopeful that we will be moved to least a level 2 after the next round of country assessments.
The second reason that there is no change. My Ministry is in the process of reviewing all protocols to find a long-term balance for the safety of lives and livelihoods. We are fast approaching an 80-85% vaccination rate for the adult segment of the population and are approaching 70% for all persons eligible for the vaccine inclusive of those 12-15 years of age where there is a low uptick.
At some point personal responsibility will become the order of the day. While we may not relax all regulations at once, we do want to put in place the minimum amount of measures to produce the desired outcome, which again is balancing lives and livelihoods.
Thank you.