Car insurance taskforce to launch and take 'direct action' as drivers struggle with 'spiralling' costs
Insurance bodies in the UK will meet with ministers and the Transport Secretary later today to crack down on the "spiralling" costs of car insurance which has seen some motorists pay thousands of pounds a year.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq will announce that a new motor insurance task force will be created.
The Department for Transport has outlined that certain factors are forcing insurance premiums higher, including the rate of inflation and the car theft epidemic.
According to the latest data from Confused.com, the average price for car insurance coverage is £861 per year. This is a slight drop compared to the £995 average cost seen at the end of 2023.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, who represents Sheffield Heeley, said the new task force would be a "major step forward in delivering a fair deal for drivers".
She added: "Car insurance is an essential, not a luxury. It is vital to accessing economic opportunities, and this Government is committed to getting costs under control.
"That’s why we’re taking direct action to bring insurance companies and regulators round the table to discuss how we can crack down on spiralling costs."
Labour's election manifesto pledged to further support drivers by tackling the soaring cost of car insurance as part of its automotive sector plan.
It reported that car insurance prices have soared by over £200 in just two years, with an estimated one million people cancelling their insurance due to the cost of living crisis in 2022.
Labour said it would call on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to launch urgent investigations into the high prices.
Source-GBN
Americans in Lebanon should 'depart now,' embassy says
American citizens in Lebanon "are strongly encouraged to depart now," the U.S. Embassy in Beirut said in a new alert Monday.
The embassy has been urging Americans to depart Lebanon via commercial flights in recent weeks. Monday's warning was the starkest yet.
The embassy noted it had helped add thousands of extra seats to commercial flights to help Americans leave amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
"U.S. citizens who choose not to depart at this time should prepare contingency plans should the situation deteriorate further," the embassy said.
The alert comes as the Israel Defense Forces continues intense air and ground campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon and against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The uptick in offensive operations began after Israel marked the anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7 assault, and as Israeli leaders planned their response to Iran's latest ballistic missile attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel "will continue to hit Hezbollah mercilessly in all parts of Lebanon.”
Source-ABC
Fat Joe talks weight loss, says it's an honor to host BET Hip Hop Awards
Fat Joe has lost significant weight since emerging onto the rap scene, and it's partially thanks to carb control. Speaking to US Weekly, he shares, “We just try to eat everything with the least carbs as possible. So we try to avoid bread, pasta, and rice. That’s the smartest way to eat.”
He also gives credit to Ozempic, joking that it "says you may only have two pieces of your favorite stuff."
While he's lost a lot of weight, he's careful not too lose much more because his wife, Lorena Cartagena, would kill him.
"She likes me being a big boy,” Joe shared. “She hallucinates like I’m still that big boy. She loves that.”
Fat Joe is set to take the stage Tuesday as host at the BET Hip Hop Awards.
"It's the culture, you know, and it’s one of the few chances where we get to see our camaraderie and link up with other artists that we love,” he says of the annual event. “Whether they may be the OGs or may be the youngest thing, smoking and representing the culture. That’s what my whole life is built on. So to be the host is a big honor.”
He adds he's a fan of all the rising rappers because he has been in their shoes.
The 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards air Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on BET.
OECS countries to host forum on Caribbean Blue Economy
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) says investors seeking to diversify their portfolios into sustainable sectors should seek to attend the Eastern Caribbean Blue Economy Virtual Investment Forum to be held next month.
The November 26 event will be held under the theme, “The Blue Economy: A Wealth of Opportunities in Grenada, St.Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines” and the Castries based OECS Commission said that “this pivotal event, will position the Eastern Caribbean as a premier destination for high-impact, sustainable investments.
The forum, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the COMPETE Caribbean Partnership Facility in partnership with the OECS Commission, will explore how the region’s marine and coastal assets can drive resilient economic growth and innovation.
The Blue Economy, valued at more than US$1.5 trillion globally, is emerging as a critical economic driver and is poised to redefine sustainable growth across the region and further afield.
The forum co-hosted by the Grenada Investment and Development Corporation, Invest Saint Lucia, and Invest Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, will highlight the transformative potential of marine sectors such as ocean and coastal tourism, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and marine biotechnology, spotlighting investment opportunities tailored to local and international actors.
It will also provide a high-level platform for strategic discussions on how the region can harness its unique blue resources to accelerate economic development while preserving its natural beauty.
The OECS Commission said the event will highlight strategic insights from industry experts, with presentations from leading authorities in the Blue Economy offering actionable perspectives on global trends and local opportunities in sustainable marine management.
It said a key segment will be panel discussions which will focus on leveraging marine technology, blue financing, and public-private partnerships to unlock scalable, investment-ready projects.
In addition, attendees will benefit from interactive networking sessions and a virtual exhibition hall, providing direct access to regional Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) and project developers, fostering valuable connections and partnerships.
“The Eastern Caribbean is set to be a leader in Blue Economy innovation. This forum is not just about identifying opportunities; it’s about building necessary connections and developing the strategies needed to turn those opportunities into long-term, impactful investments. Investors will leave with a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate this burgeoning sector,” said OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules.
The forum is designed to foster critical partnerships and enable investments that leverage the region’s competitive advantages, positioning Grenada, St.Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines as attractive options in the BE sphere.
“The Eastern Caribbean is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the Blue Economy’s potential, with its extensive marine resources and strategic location, but has been plagued by limited investment due to a lack of information on Blue Projects.
“The forum is designed to remove these barriers and encourage expansion into the BE. It is open to local and international investors,” the Commission added.
Source-CMC
WOMEN’S T20 West Indies Women book semifinal with England
West Indies Women saved their best performance of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for when it mattered most, in a clinical six-wicket victory over England Women that saw them progress to the semifinal round.
In a must-win game, Qiana Joseph scored her first-ever T20 half-century for the West Indies and captain Hayley Matthews struck an even 50, as the Caribbean side chased down England’s 141 for seven in 20 overs, finishing on 144 for four off 18 overs.
The victory was the West Indies Women’s first win over England Women since 2018 and snapped a 13-game losing streak.
The result helped the Windies top Group B, while eliminating England from the tournament with South Africa advancing in second position on net run rate after all three teams finished on six points.
It also marks the first time the West Indies Women have qualified for the semifinal of a T20 World Cup since 2018.
Australia will play South Africa in the first semifinal on Thursday, while the Windies and New Zealand will battle on Friday for a spot in the final.
Playing in her 100th T20 international, skipper Matthews and Joseph added 102 runs in an opening partnership that put them in firm control.
It was an especially impressive showing by Joseph, who opened in place of the injured Stafanie Taylor, who was ruled out with a leg injury.
Matthews wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard, blasting fast bowler Lauren Bell’s second delivery of the innings over the boundary at long leg.
Two balls later she guided Bell past short fine leg for four and then ended off the over that leaked 14 runs with another boundary over mid-off.
Joseph sent Nat Sciver-Brunt to the boundary on two occasions in the next over, as West Indies raced to 26 without loss.
An aggressive Joseph then clobbered off-spinner Charlie Deane for a six over midwicket and followed it up with successive boundaries off left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone in the fourth over.
Joseph was lucky not to be dismissed by Sciver-Brunt when she was 31, but Alice Capsey spilled the opportunity.
They were made to pay for the chance, and Matthews brought up the West Indies’ 50 in the fifth over when she tickled Sciver-Brunt to fine leg for four.
Matthews continued her assault by hitting Dean for three more boundaries in the sixth over as West Indies ended the power play on 67 without loss.
Joseph moved into the 40s after surviving another chance, this time Maia Bouchier dropping the catch at deep midwicket.
Bouchier gave Joseph a third lifeline when she got both hands to Joseph’s slug that went to deep midwicket, but she palmed the ball over the rope for six.
Joseph eventually brought up her maiden T20 half-century off 34 balls when she whipped leg-spinner Sarah Glenn to deep midwicket for a single.
Her luck eventually ran out when she was caught by Danni Wyatt-Hodge for 52 off 38 balls, inclusive of two sixes and six fours.
Matthews brought up her 14th T20I fifty shortly afterwards, but with the score 104 for one, she was back in the pavilion after miscuing a pull off Glenn to be out for 50 from 38 balls. Her knock contained seven fours and one six.
Her dismissal brought Deandra Dottin to the crease and she ensured the West Indies stayed in the ascendancy by clobbering Deane for two sixes and a four in the 16th over to leave her team needing 14 runs from 24 balls.
And even though both Shemaine Campbelle and Dottin lost their wickets, Aaliyah Alleyne held her nerve to end the contest by driving Ecclestone to the cover boundary to spark wild celebrations among the West Indies camp.
West Indies’ bowlers had earlier laid the groundwork by restricting England, with only Nat Sciver-Brunt putting up any real resistance.
Sciver-Brunt scored an unbeaten 57 from 50 balls, but England’s innings fell back once captain Heather Knight was forced to retire hurt on 21, with the score 80 for three.
Afy Fletcher was the main destroyer with 3-21 from her four overs while Matthews took 2-35.
Senate approvers legislation in the fight against corruption
The Jamaican Senate has approved the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency Order empowering the agency to investigate and prosecute a broader range of serious matters.
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, who piloted the legislation, noted that the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) is an invaluable and effective tool in the fight against organised criminal activity in Jamaica.
She said the Order is designed to strengthen the agency’s investigative scope, further strengthening Jamaica’s security architecture and that it seeks to amend the first schedule of the MOCA Act to expand the pool of offences for which the agency may proceed against persons associated with or otherwise involved in organised criminal activity.
The pieces of legislation from which offences will be pulled include the Larceny Act 1942; Forgery Act 1942; Criminal Justice and Administration Act 2014; Road Traffic Act 2018; Firearms Prohibition Restriction and Regulation Act 2022; Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1966; Fisheries Act 2018; Praedial Larceny Prevention Act; and Common Law offences to include misconduct of public office, conspiracy, cheating the public revenue and inchoate offences.
Johnson Smith said that MOCA is the first agency of its kind in Jamaica, and “the value added to law enforcement by MOCA over the past decade speaks for itself”.
“Since January 2020 to present, MOCA has conducted approximately 98 targeted operations, resulting in a total of 85 persons being arrested, 84 of which were formally charged,” she told the Senate.
She said the Government will continue to review laws and fortify the legislative framework to ensure that they are best aligned with the needs of the security forces in the pursuit of the fight against crime and violence.
Source-CMC
Four CARICOM countries involved in TVT pilot project
Educational institutions in four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are participating in the pilot phase of the Digitalisation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Delivery Project.
The Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that the project is designed to transform how the Caribbean people access instructional programmes or courses that focus on the skills required for a specific job function or trade.
It said the project seeks to establish a regional digital platform that supports the digitalisation of TVET delivery across CARICOM member states.
The Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology in Barbados, the New Life Organization in Grenada, the HEART College of Hospitality Services, HEART College of Beauty Services and HEART College of Construction Services in Jamaica and the Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) Limited in Trinidad and Tobago are participating in the pilot project.
Project Manager and Deputy Programme Manager of Education at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr. Denise Stoney-James, said the project’s implementation involves developing regional guidelines for digitalizing TVET delivery and training.
She said it includes converting at least three occupational programs for online delivery and a pilot and rollout of a software solutions platform to support end-to-end TVET digitalization.
“We will also train a cadre of TVET instructors, assessors and verifiers, and monitors in Member States to serve as “Train-the-Trainers”. she said, adding “They will support the continuous availability of competent instructors, assessors, and validators for online TVET qualifications in Member States and the creation of digital TVET teaching and learning content”.
In addition, the project will enhance TVET delivery through institutional capacity development (monitors, instructors, assessors, and verifiers) in online pedagogy training – a combination of teaching methods (what instructors do), learning activities (what instructors ask their students to do), and learning assessments (the assignments, projects, or tasks that measure student learning).
Stoney-James said the initiative aims to develop an incentive program to target women and representatives from marginalized groups. It will increase enrollment by improving access and participation for both groups through TVET curriculum revision and TVET qualification development for online delivery modes.
The project is being supported by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (Agência Brasileira de Cooperação” – ABC), the European Union (EU), and the German Cooperation for Sustainable Development (GIZ).
The TVET Delivery Project is a crucial element of the CARICOM Human Resource Development (HRD) 2030 Strategy, which was approved by CARICOM countries in 2017.
The project aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
The project, which started on March 1, 2024, is expected to be completed within 24 months.
Source-CMC
REMARKS FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD 2024
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and especially to our girls and young women, it is a true privilege to stand before you today on this International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to recognizing the strength, potential, and invaluable contributions of girls all over the world. This year’s theme, “Elevating Girls’ Voices for Sustainable Development,” reminds us that sustainable progress in our communities and nations cannot be achieved without listening to, investing in, and empowering the voices of our girls.
Girls are not just the future leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers—they are today’s agents of change. When we elevate their voices, we ensure that their unique perspectives, creativity, and solutions are part of the collective journey towards development and progress.
Elevating Girls’ Voices:
To elevate girls’ voices means recognizing their innate potential, nurturing their dreams, and providing them with equal opportunities in education, leadership, and all areas of society. It means breaking down barriers such as gender discrimination, inequality, and violence that stifle their growth and keep their voices silenced.
We must support our girls in standing up for their rights, making their voices heard in decision-making spaces, and providing platforms where they can thrive. Sustainable development depends on how well we invest in our girls—ensuring they have access to quality education, healthcare, and a safe environment where they can grow and flourish.
Sustainable Development:
Sustainable development is not only about economic growth or environmental preservation. It is also about social inclusion—ensuring that no one, especially our girls, is left behind. Girls must be part of shaping policies and solutions that address the challenges of our time, such as climate change, poverty, and gender inequality.
A Call to Action:
As leaders, educators, parents, and community members, it is our responsibility to create an environment where girls feel valued, heard, and empowered. By doing so, we are contributing to a sustainable future that benefits everyone.
In this regard, I draw inspiration from the Scripture. In Proverbs 31:8-9 (KJV), we are admonished to:
“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Let us, therefore, be advocates for our girls, ensuring that their voices are elevated, that they are protected from harm, and that they are empowered to lead in the pursuit of a brighter, more equitable future.
Prayer:
Let us bow our heads in prayer: Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of this day and for the precious lives of every girl represented here and across the world. We pray that You would continue to bless, protect, and guide them as they pursue their dreams. Lord, we ask that You open doors of opportunity for them, break every barrier of discrimination, and surround them with Your love and wisdom.
May You empower us as leaders, parents, and mentors to support our girls, elevate their voices, and create a world where they can thrive. Grant us the strength to fight for justice, equality, and peace so that every girl can live in safety and fulfilment. Let Your grace be upon them, that they may grow to be the change-makers You have called them to be.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Let us all commit today to elevating the voices of our girls, for in doing so, we lay the foundation for a sustainable, just, and inclusive future. Thank you.
BORDER FORCE-LED OPERATION IN SOUTH CAICOS RESULTS IN ARREST
The Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force led a successful operation in South Caicos on 9th and 10th October 2024, targeting illegal work activity. The operation resulted in the apprehension of seven individuals, including two females and five males.
Four of the apprehended individuals are currently detained by Border Force for illegally working in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They are being processed and face potential legal consequences. The remaining three individuals are in the custody of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) following the discovery of cannabis during the operation prompted by indications from the Border Force canine unit. One of these individuals will also face charges for overstaying in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
This operation highlights Border Force's strategy to combat immigration and customs offences throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. The inland operations, including workplace enforcement, aim to address the root causes of illegal immigration by tackling illegal working. Border Force is committed to not only apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants but also prosecuting both undocumented workers and employers who facilitate illegal employment.
Emilio Seymour, Director General of Border Force stated "Our recent operation in South Caicos demonstrates our commitment to fulfilling our obligations to the Turks and Caicos Islands. We will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration and customs laws through inland operations throughout TCI. I am incredibly grateful to our officers for their dedication and hard work, as well as the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for their invaluable assistance."
Border Force is issuing a stern warning to businesses and individuals alike: Employing undocumented workers is an offence. Those found guilty face significant penalties, including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. Additionally, undocumented workers themselves are subject to deportation upon conviction. Individuals who harbour illegal immigrants or facilitate their entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands face even stricter penalties, including fines of up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to four years.
Five Cays Robbery
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force wishes to inform the public that officers from the Serious Crime Unit are actively investigating an armed robbery that took place on the evening of Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Five Cays, Providenciales.
Preliminary reports indicate that at approximately 9:32 pm, officers were dispatched to Granny Hill, where a male and female were victims of a robbery.
The suspects stole a silver 2008 Nissan Note hatchback, cash, and other valuables. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
Shortly after 5 pm yesterday (October 10), the vehicle was recovered in Five Cays.
The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information on illegal firearms to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.