Ministry of Border Control and Employment Confirms Recent Intelligence on Sloop Activity
The Ministry of Border Control and Employment confirms that on Tuesday 13th June 2017, intelligence was received that nine sloops had departed Haiti and headed north in the direction of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Joint operations and collaboration with other regional border patrol and security agencies resulted in the course of the vessels being disrupted and up to the time of this release, no reports of sloops being in the vicinity of the Turks and Caicos were received.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government is grateful for the intervention of the US coastguard in successfully diverting what would have otherwise been an extremely challenging event for us here.
The Turks and Caicos Islands remains an active member of OPBAT, Operations Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, which is a combined Coast Guard, DEA and Government of the Bahamas partnership to combat illegal migration, drug and other contraband smuggling to and from the Bahamas and as a part of this organization, the TCI continues to enjoy the success of operations such as that which deterred the nine sloops earlier this week.
We continue to caution our own residents that harboring illegal migrants is a crime and such persons can now face a fine of $20,000 on summary conviction or to a term of imprisonment of four years, or to both. In addition, persons acquiring status other than by birth that are convicted of such an offense, face the possibility of having their status in the Islands revoked, thereby making them liable to deportation.
14 Youths learn basic swimming skills on World Ocean Day
14 Youths had the thrilling opportunity to learn basic swimming skills as part of the World Ocean Day observance.
World Oceans Day is a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future.
The oceans cover about two-thirds of the surface of the Earth and are the very foundations of life.
They generate most of the oxygen we breathe, absorb a large share of carbon dioxide emissions, provide food and nutrients and regulate climate.
They are important economically for countries like the Turks and Caicos Islands that rely on tourism, fishing and other marine resources for income and serve as the backbone of international trade.
Unfortunately, human pressures, including overexploitation, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, destructive fishing, as well as unsustainable aquaculture practices, marine pollution, habitat destruction, alien species, climate change and ocean acidification are taking a significant toll on the world's oceans and seas.
In this vein the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) coined a swimming and beach clean-up initiative to bring awareness to the day`s significance.
The training equipped students with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to enjoy swimming in both the pool and at sea.
The third annual 'Learn to Swim' initiative was hosted by the DECR, and assisted by the Turks & Caicos Swimming Federation and the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre on Thursday 8 June.
Director at the Youth Centre Roxann Wake-Forbes speaking on the initiative said: "To be a part of this year's World Ocean's Day is a real privilege.
"Members of the centre were able to take advantage of this great opportunity and had an amazing time whilst being educated on the importance of World Oceans Day.
"Huge thanks to Amy Avenant, DECR and TCI Swim Federation and all of the instructors for taking the time to do this program."
Meantime DECR`s Deputy Director, Ethan Griesbach commenting on the event said: "It was really exciting to celebrate World Oceans Day and to see the overwhelming support from the public and local businesses. We look forward to continuing these partnerships, in order to keep the Ocean and shoreline free of waste."
Meanwhile, In Grand Turk World Oceans Day was observed by giving back to the ocean through a beach and in-water clean-up.
Over 40 participants from the public and private organizations took to Governor's beach area to assist the DECR staff in the clean-up, during which 109 garbage bags were filled and disposed of.
The DECR provided garbage bags and gloves while participants took to the beach to ensure that no trash was left behind.
The DECR representatives expressed gratitude to the volunteers from the TCI Swimming Federation and the Department of Culture and all individuals that participated.
Lowering the cost of living is high on Government`s agenda- Premier
UNDER pressure from multiple sections of the society burdened by rising prices of essential commodities, the Government is holding steadfast to its promise of reviewing the high cost of living in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
For years the average man has bemoaned the exorbitant cost of living in the TCI, especially for food and other basic necessities, many have expressed that their cries have fallen on deaf ears.
However, Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson in a recent interview on Radio Turks and Caicos said her Government will deliver on its promise to the people; to conduct a comprehensive review of the cost of living and the cost of doing business.
She said: "What we have to do as a country is see how we can expand the economy, in order to grow the public service, we`d have to expand what we`re taking in because that is based on the amount of revenue.
"Also we have to look at how we address the cost of living generally, we know that has to do with fuel , we know that has to do with electricity and all the way down to goods ,but it is fueled by fuel and the cost of electricity ,it is fueled by the cost of Provo Stevedoring.
"We have to isolate these factors and tackle them one by one.
"So there many ways that we can look at it and all of these factors we have to take into account."
Coupled with the high cost of living, sections of the population have repeatedly called on the Government to implement effective price control mechanisms.
She said: "We did have consumer protection legislation passed in the House of Assembly under the former administration but there are no regulations in place, no standards and that has to be further developed now going forward.
"We supported its passage; we thought it was an important piece of legislation for Honorable Misick to have brought, we support it but we have to work out the regulations and make sure that there are standards because that is something we thought should have come along with the bill but it is going to come.
The Premier pointed out that consumers too have a role to play and are not powerless to incite change.
She explained: "Persons are calling for price control, I know in Barbados where they actually have a consumer protection agency that actually tells you what goods are and what drives a country is the consumers.
"If this is too expensive, you go to the next one and through your power help to drive down the cost.
"So it is not as simple as we would like to think but it is a comprehensive approach that has to be taken."
She also underscored the importance of having measures in place to ensure consumers experience the trickledown effect of lowered costs on commodities.
"What we have to do for example when we look at goods on the shelf we have to make sure that when these savings come that the merchants actually pass them on to the consumers, that is important.
Several local economists have reasoned that if the government were to implement lower import duties, the suppliers in turn could pass on cheaper prices to the consumers and still make a profit.
The PDM Government on its campaign trail pledged to tackle the economy and the taxation issues in an effort to alleviate the burden on consumers.
Biometrics legislation to come on stream soon
GOVERNMENT is working to introduce biometric surveillance legislation that will aid the Police in solving crimes throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.
This was revealed by Premier Sharlene Cartwright –Robinson on Monday June 5 during a radio interview.
Biometrics are unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, that can be used for automated recognition.
According to the Premier the Biometric system will see the entire populace being entered into the database.
"We will have legislation in place for that, it would be absolutely nonsensical to just do part of the population, we must finger print everyone.
She explained: "When I first raised it under the consultative forum, they had persons talking about human rights issues, when we go to America and every time we have to place our fingers to print on whatever that machine is ,I mean they also look into the camera and all these things we don't complain.
"The fact is, if we`re not going to have persons who are going to be coming forward to help the police solve offences then we have to look at all crime fighting initiatives that will help and that is one of the things we have to do.
"It's necessary for Turks and Caicos and I'm going to guided by the Attorney General`s chambers, but at the end of the day we must have a database because unless you have committed an offence your records are not in the system for the police and that can`t help."
The People's Democratic Movement (PDM) party while in opposition introduced a motion in the House of Assembly in May 2014 that would allow the use of biometrics by law enforcement authorities as a crime fighting tool.
The motion was aimed at addressing the escalating crime rate in the country.
At that time shadow minister for Home Affairs Goldray Ewing stated that the opposition had asked the government about "fingerprinting laws and surveillance laws and they said that they had no appetite for that at the time.
"But after the police commissioner came out with crime statistics the party decided that we wouldn't leave it up to the government or to the police to determine what type of tools they need to fight crime."
As a result, the PDM has long maintained the position to introduce legislation that will allow the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police to determine whether or not they wish to utilize biometrics in the course of their investigations.
The law will also determine the legality of using the technology in the financial sector.
The national police force already utilizes forensic technologies such as DNA and fingerprint identification during the course of criminal investigations.
In information technology, biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyse human body characteristics, such as DNA, fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial patterns and hand measurements for authentication purposes.
Authentication by biometric verification is becoming increasingly common in corporate and public security systems, consumer electronics and point of sale (POS) applications.
In addition to security, the driving force behind biometric verification has been convenience.
Seven Day Weather Forecast 15th June to 21st June 2017
GENERAL SITUATION: A broad Atlantic high pressure ridge will maintain moderate to strong breezes over the area as it meanders between the Bahamas and Florida this weekend through next week. Meanwhile, the combination of a developing broad low pressure system near the Yucatan Peninsula and a mid to upper level low in the Gulf of Mexico waters near Florida will continue to push rich tropical moisture across parts of the Bahamas through early next week.
Thursday 15th – Partly cloudy to cloudy with few scattered showers and widely scattered thunderstorms mainly across the NW Bahamas through nightfall. Maximum temperature 90ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft should exercise caution in the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds ESE to SSE at 10 to 15 knots in the NW and Central Bahamas and E to SE at 15 to 20 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW Bahamas and 4 to 6 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas.
Friday 16th – Partly cloudy to cloudy with scattered showers and widely scattered thunderstorms mainly across the NW and Central Bahamas through nightfall. Maximum temperature 89°F and minimum temperature 79°F. Small craft should exercise caution in the SE Bahamas. Winds SE to S at 10 to 15 knots with higher gusts in the NW Bahamas; E to SE at 12 to 18 knots in the Central Bahamas and E'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW Bahamas; 3 to 5 feet in the Central Bahamas and 4 to 6 feet in the SE Bahamas.
Saturday 17th – Continuing partly to mostly cloudy with some scattered showers and widely scattered thunderstorms across the entire Bahamas through nightfall. Maximum temperature 90°F and minimum temperature 79°F. Small craft caution in effect for Central Bahamas and an advisory for the SE Bahamas. Winds SE'ly at 10 to 15 knots the NW Bahamas; E to SE at 15 to 20 knots in the Central Bahamas and E to SE at 15 to 25 knots in the SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW Bahamas; 4 to 6 feet in the Central Bahamas and 5 to 8 feet in the SE Bahamas over the ocean.
Sunday 18th – Partly cloudy to cloudy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms affecting the NW and Central Bahamas through nightfall. Maximum temperature 91ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft should exercise caution in the NW Bahamas and an advisory is in effect for Central and SE Bahamas. Winds SE'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the NW Bahamas and E to SE at 15 to 25 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas becoming gusty at times. Seas 4 to 7 feet in the NW Bahamas and 5 to 8 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas but higher in gusts.
Monday 19th – Partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated showers or thunderstorms, becoming fair to partly cloudy and warm at night with the chance of few passing showers. Maximum temperature 89ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft should exercise caution in the NW Bahamas and an advisory continues for the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds SE'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the NW Bahamas and E to SE at 15 to 25 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 4 to 6 feet in the NW Bahamas and 5 to 8 feet in the Central and the SE Bahamas.
Tuesday 20th – Partly sunny, hot and humid with spotty daytime showers or isolated thunderstorm possible during the day. Patchy clouds at night with scattered showers or possible isolated thunderstorms mainly across the NW Bahamas. Maximum temperature 89ºF and minimum temperature 80ºF. Small craft caution continues in the NW Bahamas and an advisory continues for the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds SE'ly at 15 to 20 knots in the NW Bahamas and E to SE at 15 to 25 knots with stronger gusts in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 4 to 6 feet in the NW Bahamas and 5 to 8 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas.
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Wednesday 21st – Partly Cloudy to Cloudy, hot and humid with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms across the Bahamas through night time. Maximum temperature 90ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft caution continues for the NW Bahamas and an advisory continues for the Central and SE Bahamas through early afternoon, then a caution comes into effect for the SE Bahamas. Winds SE to S at 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts in the NW Bahamas, decreasing to 10 to15 knots or less from the SSE to SSW later; E to SE at 15 to 25 knots at first in the Central and SE Bahamas, decreasing to 10 to 15 knots in the Central and 15 to 20 knots in the SE Bahamas with higher gusts later. Seas 4 to 6 feet in the NW Bahamas, decreasing to 2 to 4 feet later; 5 to 8 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas, decreasing to 3 to 5 feet in the Central Bahamas and 4 to 7 feet in the SE Bahamas later.
Beachgoers and Mariners should exercise extreme caution due to the high risk of rip currents and rough surf, especially along the northern and eastern shorelines during stated advisories. Winds and seas will be higher in heavy showers and thunderstorms. Boaters and beachgoers should be alert for possible waterspout activity and take all necessary precautions.
Brexit negotiations rules out 'concessions'
The EU's chief negotiator said there would be "substantial" consequences from Brexit after the first round of talks with the UK.
Michel Barnier said he was "not in the frame of mind to make concessions or ask for concessions".
UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said talks got off to a "promising start".
The UK appears to have conceded to the EU's preferred order for the talks which will mean trade negotiations do not begin immediately.
Mr Davis and Mr Barnier gave a joint press conference after day one of the talks in Brussels.
The initial focus will be on expat rights, a financial settlement and "other separation issues".
Discussions aimed at preserving the Good Friday Agreement and common travel area in Ireland will also begin, although Mr Davis suggested these issues may not be settled until the end of the process, when the UK's trade relationship with the EU is settled.
The UK had wanted talks on its future relationship with the EU to be considered from the outset, but Mr Barnier said this would only happen once the European Council decided "sufficient progress has been made" on the other issues.
Mr Davis - who had predicted this would be the "row of the summer" - denied suggestions the agreed timetable showed Britain's "weakness" and insisted it was "completely consistent" with the government's aim of parallel trade and exit talks.
Asked whether he had made any concessions to the UK in return, Mr Barnier said the UK had decided to leave the EU - not the other way around, and each side had to "assume our responsibility and the consequences of our decisions".
Source-BBC
Carrie Fisher 'had cocaine' in her system when she died
Carrie Fisher had three drugs including cocaine in her system when she died, her post-mortem has concluded.
The report released on Monday stated the star may have taken cocaine three days before she fell ill on a flight on 23 December, US media reported.
Traces of heroin and MDMA, popularly known as ecstasy, were also found in the Star Wars actress's system.
But investigators could not determine what impact the cocaine and other drugs had on her death.
The findings were based on toxicology samples taken when Fisher arrived at a Los Angeles hospital.
Investigators could not say when the actress had taken the MDMA or heroin.
The star, who played Princess Leia in the film series, died on 27 December.
Source-BBC
T&T to close schools, offices ahead of storm
The Caribbean island of Trinidad & Tobago is closing public schools and government offices as heavy thunderstorms approach the region.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the cluster is forecast to become a tropical storm by Monday night or early Tuesday.
Officials said schools in Trinidad will close on Tuesday and that government offices in the sister island of Tobago also will be shuttered. Meteorologists warned of waves of more than 9 feet (3 meters) along the islands' coasts.
Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines cancelled more than 30 flights on Monday.
A tropical storm watch has been issued for the nearby Dutch Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba.
Source-AP
British PM Condemns ‘Sickening’ Attack on Muslims
A van rammed into a group of pedestrians outside a London mosque early Monday, injuring 10 people in what British Prime Minister Theresa May called a "sickening" terrorist attack on Muslims.
The vehicle swerved into a group of people shortly after midnight as they left prayers at the Muslim Welfare House and the nearby Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, one of the biggest in Britain.
One person died at the scene, but it was not clear if he died as a result of the attack or from something else.
Police will assess the security of mosques and provide any additional resources needed ahead of celebrations marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, May announced.
"This was an attack on Muslims near their place of worship," she said in a televised address." And like all terrorism, in whatever form, it shares the same fundamental goal. It seeks to drive us apart, and to break the precious bonds of solidarity and citizenship that we share in this country. We will not let this happen."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the incident "a truly horrific terrorist attack on our city" and Prime Minister Theresa May said it was "an attack on Muslims near their place of worship."
Ariana Grande to get honorary citizenship of Manchester
Ariana Grande is to get honorary citizenship of Manchester under plans put forward by the city council.
The council is proposing a new system to recognise outstanding contributions to the city.
The US singer is in line to be the first recipient for organising the One Love Manchester concert in aid of victims of the bomb attack at her gig, in which 22 people died.
An event to mark "selfless acts" after the blast is to be held, too.
Under the proposals for the new scheme, honorary citizenship of Manchester could be granted to those from outside Greater Manchester.
Council leader Sir Richard Leese, said many people would already consider Grande to be "an honorary Mancunian".
He said: "This seems a fitting moment to update the way we recognise those who make noteworthy contributions to the life and success of our city.
"We've all had cause to be incredibly proud of Manchester and the resilient and compassionate way in which the city, and all those associated with it, have responded to the terrible events of 22 May - with love and courage rather than hatred and fear."
He said Ariana Grande had "exemplified this response".
Some 50,000 people went to the One Love Manchester concert at Old Trafford on 4 June, which raised almost £3m for victims of the Manchester Arena attack.