DECR COMMEMORATES THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIODIVERSITY 2024
Today, we join the global community in celebrating the International Day for Biodiversity 2024. This year’s theme, “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development,” highlights the integral role biodiversity plays in the health of our planet and the well-being of all its inhabitants.
As we mark this important day, we are reminded of the urgent need to address the biodiversity crisis globally, regionally and locally. Human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change, are accelerating the loss of species at an unprecedented rate. Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem services, from clean air and water to food security and climate resilience. Protecting and restoring biodiversity is an environmental issue, and a fundamental part of sustainable development.
To commemorate this day, the DECR is proud to inform the community of the Turks and Caicos of initiatives aimed at preserving and enhancing biodiversity:
- Educational Programs: We have expanded our educational outreach to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity, through Nature School; and the Greening Our Schools programme – in collaboration with the Department of Education. This has included workshops, school programs, and public seminars designed to engage and inform the public about biodiversity conservation.
- Sustainable Practice: The DECR is committed to implementing and promoting sustainable practices through the protection, conservation and enforcement of our protected areas.
- Research and Innovation: Through grant funding such as the Blue Belt programme and the Darwin Plus Local funding programme, we are investing in research to better understand the impacts of biodiversity loss and to develop innovative solutions for conservation.
- Collaborative Efforts: We will continue to collaborate with non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector to foster partnerships that support biodiversity conservation on a larger scale.
On this International Day for Biodiversity, we call upon individuals, communities, and businesses to join us in taking action. Every small step counts – whether it's planting a tree, reducing plastic use, purchasing sustainable fashion, cosmetics or household items, or supporting conservation efforts, together we can make a significant impact.
Our actions today will determine the health and prosperity of generations to come. Let us celebrate the beauty and richness of our beautiful islands and commit to protecting it for the future.
For more information about our initiatives and how you can get involved, please visit our Instagram (@DECR_TCI) and Facebook pages or contact the Department at environment@gov.tc.
RTCIPF Issues Warning
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force warns persons about sharing private, sexual photographs and films of others on public forums.
The RTCIPF has recently received numerous complaints about people sharing intimate images on public forums and between others without the consent of the person who appears in the imagery.
The sharing of these materials in such circumstances is a criminal offence.
Under Section 47 of the Sexual Offences Ordinance (2021): “(1) It is an offence for a person to disclose a private sexual photograph or film if the disclosure is made— (a)without the consent of an individual who appears in the photograph or film; and (b) with the intention of causing that individual distress.”
A person guilty of this offence under this section is liable— (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine of $10,000, or to both; or (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to a fine or both.
The RTCIPF takes all such reports seriously and will take robust action against those involved.
If you receive the material without a request or other proactive action to acquire it, forwarding such material or otherwise sharing it could result in you being investigated and prosecuted for the offence.
Anyone possessing such material should think very carefully before forwarding or otherwise sharing it, considering its adverse impact on persons who appear in the imagery and the potential personal consequences of a criminal investigation.
US CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION MEETS TCI GOVERNMENT
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and the Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick received a US Congressional delegation at the Governor’s Office, Providenciales, following a request for a meeting to discuss the recent arrests of US nationals for possession of ammunition offences.
The US delegation raised five cases of US nationals currently before the courts, concern for their well-being and clarification on the legal process.
To maintain the integrity of the legal process, the Governor confirmed it would not be appropriate to facilitate the delegation’s request to meet with the Chief Justice.
The Governor and the Premier confirmed – as per the constitutional separation of the executive and judicial branches – that they cannot intervene nor comment on ongoing legal cases before the courts. They explained that the Turks and Caicos Islands
have clear laws prohibiting the possession of firearms and/or ammunition and strict penalties are in place to serve and protect all who reside and visit the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Hon. Attorney General confirmed possession of firearm and/or ammunition offences carries a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of twelve years plus a fine.
Where the court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge does have discretion, under the law, to impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case rather than impose the mandatory minimum. Noting that it is for defence counsel to ensure all relevant information is put before the court.
The UK Government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office representative who was in attendance at the meeting affirmed that the UK Government cannot comment or intervene in an ongoing legal case and that as a British Overseas Territory, the UK have full confidence in the operation of the courts of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Governor and Premier appreciated that the circumstances for US nationals who find themselves in this position can be difficult but were aware that US officials are providing consular support to each of the individuals. They noted that the Turks and Caicos Islands law enforcement agencies apply professional standard operating procedures for processing matters through the legal system and that they will investigate any concerns where it was felt standards were not met.
The Governor and Premier noted the prohibited items of ammunition were not identified at US departure screening, and the responsibility of travellers to ensure their baggage is free of firearms and/or ammunition prior to travel to the Turks and
Caicos Islands.
They noted that the National Security Council keeps under review the operational effectiveness of legislative provisions that underpin internal and border security. The meeting concluded with both parties recognising continued Turks and Caicos Islands– United States partnerships to tackle shared threats in the region.
World Foundation Visits to support children across the Turks & Caicos Islands.
The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture is proud to announce the successful completion of a comprehensive screening initiative led by the dedicated 1 World team. Over the course of their visit, the team provided invaluable assessments and support to 55 children under the age of 8, across the islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos, North and Middle Caicos, and Providenciales.
The 1 World Foundation’s mission was to address various referral concerns, ensuring early detection and intervention for developmental and educational needs. Their work has significantly contributed to the well-being and future success of our young learners.
Director of SENS department, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the team’s dedication: “We are immensely grateful for the 1 World team’s commitment to our children. They have provided services to this country over several years, and their expertise and compassion have provided critical support to our families. I wish to commend our Coordinator of Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, who spearheaded the initiative and ensured a smooth and effective visit.” Commenting on the program, Mrs. Skippings noted, “The assessments conducted by the 1 World team have been transformative for our children. By identifying specific needs early, we can tailor our interventions to better support each child’s unique development journey. This initiative has brought hope and clarity to many families across our islands.”
Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel Taylor, praised the initiative and its outcomes: “The visit of the 1 World team marks a significant step forward in our commitment to inclusive education. Their work aligns perfectly with our vision of providing comprehensive support to all students, ensuring no child is left behind. We are dedicated to continuing this partnership and building on the progress made.”
During their visit, the 1 World team also engaged in a productive courtesy call with the Minister of Education, the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Cherylann Jones, and the Director of SENS. The meeting with the CEO of the 1 World Foundation provided an opportunity to discuss future collaborations and reinforce our shared commitment to the children of Turks and Caicos Islands.
This initiative exemplifies the power of partnership and the profound impact that dedicated professionals can have on the lives of children. The Department of Special Education Needs Services looks forward to continuing this important work and building a brighter future for all our students. For more information, please contact the department on sens@gov.tc.
Matthews wins third ICC Player-of-the-Month award
West Indies Women captain, Hayley Matthews, has won a third International Cricket Council’s Player-of-the-Month award, following her outstanding all-round performances in the recent white-ball series against Pakistan Women.
The stylish 26-year-old right-hander plundered two hundreds in the three-match One-Day International series to finish with 325 runs at an average of 162, while also taking six wickets, as the Caribbean side pulled off a whitewash in Karachi last month.
Matthews returned in the five Twenty20 Internationals to gather 205 runs at an average of 41 and take another six wickets, to steer her side to a comfortable 4-1 series win.
The Player-of-the-Month award for the Barbadian follows those she won in October 2023 and November 2021.
“I am really happy to win the award again. These performances resulted in the team’s success and that’s the most important thing for me as captain,” said Matthews.
“To win in Pakistan was always a big goal. I wanted to perform well and contribute to the team’s success so to be able to have performances and get the results, that was really good and showed that the hard work and the concentration in Pakistan paid off.”
She continued: “Being able to set some new records and achieve some new milestones as well was good for me so I’m extremely happy. We have confidence and we will take this with us going into the tour of Sri Lanka and look to secure more crucial points in the ICC Women’s Championship.”
Matthews, already a veteran of 83 ODIs and 93 T20Is, beat out competition from Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt.
They did not make it out of the first round of the past two T20I World Cups – in 2021 in Oman and the United Arab Emirates and two years ago in Australia – and failed to qualify for last year’s ICC Men’s One-day International Cricket World Cup in India.
“It’s not going to be easy, but we are one of only two nations to have won it twice, so we are going to try and make it three,” Ambrose added.
“And no other nation has ever won it on home soil, so all that is motivation for the guys to do well, and I am hoping they can do it.”
West Indies are part of Group C in the World Cup and face Papua New Guinea, Uganda, New Zealand, and Afghanistan.
Ambrose said he expects that there could be a few upsets during the tournament – he hopes none involve West Indies – because every side has plenty of talented players at their disposal.
“I admire a lot of cricketers (at the T20I World Cup), and I am looking forward to them doing well,” he said. “As a proud Antiguan and being from the West Indies, I want the West Indies to win.
“It’s not going to be easy because in T20 cricket every team has an equal chance of beating any other team and that is just the nature of T20 cricket. It’s going to be exciting, but I am going to be rooting for West Indies.”
Source-CMC
WEEKEND FORECAST
NY v Trump day 19: Defense accuses Cohen of lying about key evidence
Todd Blanche, an attorney for Donald Trump, undertook an aggressive bid to undermine Michael Cohen’s credibility on Thursday by attempting to frame him as a prolific liar with a bone to pick against his former boss.
Cohen remained remarkably calm on the stand -- betrayed only by recordings of an expletive-laden podcast rant played for jurors -- as Blanche questioned him about his many lies, his criminal convictions, his ego, and some of his most painful personal and professional failings.
Blanche also called into doubt some of the government’s most important evidence and Cohen’s prior testimony, accusing Cohen of lying about a 2016 phone call in which the two allegedly discussed a “catch-and-kill” scheme to suppress Stormy Daniels’ story.
Meanwhile, as the government’s case approaches its conclusion, a major question remains: Will Donald Trump take the witness stand? Blanche’s cross-examination of Cohen will resume on Monday.
Source-ABC
Diddy allegedly seen assaulting former girlfriend Cassie Ventura in hotel surveillance video
Sean "Diddy" Combs was allegedly seen physically assaulting his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura on hotel surveillance video exclusively obtained by CNN.
In the footage, reportedly filmed in an LA hotel on March 5, 2016, a man identified by CNN as Combs was shown chasing Ventura down a hallway, grabbing her by the back of the neck, shoving her to the ground and kicking her as she lay on the ground. He then appeared to grab her by her sweatshirt and drag her across the floor.
In November 2023, Ventura settled a lawsuit against Combs that accused him of sex trafficking and sexual assault. According to court filings, Ventura alleged Combs "often punched, beat, kicked and stomped" on her during their relationship.
"The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs," Douglas H. Wigdor, Ventura's lawyer, said in response to the video footage of Combs. "Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light."
The allegations were detailed in Ventura's 37-page complaint, saying, "In or around March 2016, during an FO at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, Mr. Combs became extremely intoxicated and punched Ms. Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye."
"After he fell asleep, Ms. Ventura tried to leave the hotel room, but as she exited, Mr. Combs awoke and began screaming at Ms. Ventura. He followed her into the hallway of the hotel while yelling at her," it continued. "He grabbed at her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her, causing glass to crash around them as she ran to the elevator to escape."
Ventura made it to the elevator and took a cab home, according to the lawsuit. But "upon realizing that her running away would cause Mr. Combs to be even angrier with her, and completely stuck in his vicious cycle of abuse, Ms. Ventura returned to the hotel with intention of apologizing for running away from her abuser," the lawsuit alleges.
When she arrived back at the hotel, hotel security staff allegedly "urged her to get back into a cab and go to her apartment, suggesting that they had seen the security footage" of Combs beating her, according to the lawsuit.
"Upon information and belief, Mr. Combs paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 for the hallway security footage from that evening," the lawsuit alleges.
Diddy has consistently denied the allegations. ABC News has reached out to Diddy's representatives for comment.
Source-ABC
Ambrose says Windies is capable of winning third title
Iconic fast bowler, Sir Curtly Ambrose said West Indies have enough firepower to win an unprecedented third ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup when they co-host the tournament next month with the United States.
The former West Indies fast bowler said recent results against powerhouses South Africa, India, and England under the captaincy of Rovman Powell have raised his optimism about the team’s chance of success.
“We have a very, very good team,” he said during the launch of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium earlier this week in the United States.
“As we speak, they (West Indies) are in Antigua at a camp preparing themselves for the start of the T20 World Cup which is a couple of weeks away. I believe once the guys start playing consistent cricket and smart cricket, I believe we can take the trophy.”
West Indies are one of the two sides that have won the title twice (England are the other), and they will need to overturn poor form at recent ICC tournaments to fulfil the prediction made by Ambrose.
They did not make it out of the first round of the past two T20I World Cups – in 2021 in Oman and the United Arab Emirates and two years ago in Australia – and failed to qualify for last year’s ICC Men’s One-day International Cricket World Cup in India.
“It’s not going to be easy, but we are one of only two nations to have won it twice, so we are going to try and make it three,” Ambrose added.
“And no other nation has ever won it on home soil, so all that is motivation for the guys to do well, and I am hoping they can do it.”
West Indies are part of Group C in the World Cup and face Papua New Guinea, Uganda, New Zealand, and Afghanistan.
Ambrose said he expects that there could be a few upsets during the tournament – he hopes none involve West Indies – because every side has plenty of talented players at their disposal.
“I admire a lot of cricketers (at the T20I World Cup), and I am looking forward to them doing well,” he said. “As a proud Antiguan and being from the West Indies, I want the West Indies to win.
“It’s not going to be easy because in T20 cricket every team has an equal chance of beating any other team and that is just the nature of T20 cricket. It’s going to be exciting, but I am going to be rooting for West Indies.”
Source-CMC
PM Drew says new hospital will be hub for medical treatement in Caribbean region
St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew says the new JNF General Hospital in his twin island Federation will serve as a cornerstone of his administration’s vision to position the country as a hub of medical excellence within the Caribbean region.
Addressing the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) Commencement Ceremony on Friday, Prime Minister Drew, a medical practitioner, said the government recently held a signing ceremony paving the way for the start of the new climate smart hospital.
“This groundbreaking project heralds a new era of healthcare excellence in St. Kitts and Nevis, one that will not only be resilient in the face of climate change but also equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure the highest standards of medical care for our people,” he told the 384 graduates of the Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programme, the 18 graduates from the various graduate programmes, “and those achieving the remarkable feat of dual-degree DVM/MSc”.
“The decision to construct a climate-smart hospital underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of our citizens and visitors alike, against the inevitable challenges posed by climate change.
“By incorporating sustainable design principles and innovative technologies, this hospital will serve as a beacon of resilience, capable of withstanding the most severe weather events while providing uninterrupted medical services to those in need,” Drew added.
He said the location of the new strategic location of the hospital between the University of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Ross University of Veterinary Medicine is no coincidence.
“By fostering collaboration and synergy between healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators, we aim to establish a health city under our One Health initiative. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, we can address complex global challenges and ensure a healthier, more resilient future for generations to come.”
Prime Minister Drew said the One Health partnership between the government and RUSVM stands as a beacon of collaborative excellence in addressing complex health challenges. “Anchored in the principles of interdisciplinary cooperation, the partnership recognizes the intricate connections between human, animal, and environmental health. RUSVM’s commitment to One Health is evident through its robust research centers, dedicated to unraveling the complexities of zoonotic diseases and ecosystem health.”
He said the memorandum of understanding signed in November last year, solidifies the partnership, fostering an environment of shared responsibility and mutual support. “Through initiatives like the Small Ruminant Breeding Project and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree Scholarship programme, tangible efforts are made to enhance livestock quality, bolster local agriculture, and nurture the next generation of veterinary professionals.”
Prime Minister Drew in his address, spoke of the Ross University’s “significant contributions” to information technology (IT) in education nationally, with the establishment of 11 labs so far.
“In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, proficiency in information technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity. By providing access to IT facilities and resources, Ross University has empowered our youth to explore new horizons, unlock their potential, and seize 21st-century opportunities.
”These IT labs serve as incubators of innovation, where students can cultivate their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking skills. From coding and programming to digital literacy and cybersecurity, the curriculum offered in these labs prepares our youth for the diverse challenges and opportunities of the digital world.
”By investing in our young people and empowering them with the tools they need to succeed, we are laying the foundation for a brighter, more prosperous future for generations to come. For this, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Ross University and look forward to continued collaboration in advancing IT education and digital literacy in St. Kitts and Nevis,” Prime Minister Drew added.
Source-CMC