Why Trump's poll lead went up after criminal indictments
Donald Trump's mounting legal troubles have not dented his status as the clear frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. In fact, the criminal charges have strengthened his position. Why?
The former US president has been indicted twice in the past four months - once in New York for alleged financial crimes and once in a federal court on charges that he mishandled sensitive government documents and obstructed an investigation.
He may be on the verge of a third indictment, for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and a fourth in Georgia for pressuring state officials to reverse his 2020 defeat there.
Through this all, Mr. Trump's campaign has not just continued unabated, it has thrived.
An average of opinion polls from 31 July suggests he has a commanding lead of 37 points over his nearest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
No one else in the crowded field of 14 candidates scores over 6%, and more than half are not even at 1%.
Back in mid-February, Mr. Trump's lead over Mr. DeSantis in the average of polls was just two points (41% to 39%). That turned out to be the Florida governor's high point so far, however. While his star has faded and his poll numbers have plummeted, Mr. Trump's support has remained rock solid.
And since the first indictment was brought in the first week of April - making Mr. Trump the first former US president to face criminal charges - it has actually grown.
According to the average of polls, Mr. Trump has been the first choice of a majority of Republican voters ever since that first arrest and court appearance.
According to Clifford Young, president of US public affairs with Ipsos, the bond between Donald Trump and his supporters - which equates to about 40% to 45% of the Republican electorate - will be challenging to break.
"They see the world through his eyes," he says. "His base believes he's been wronged. They believe that the indictments are politically motivated."
After Mr. Trump's indictment for illegally retaining classified documents, the BBC spoke with a panel of Republican voters about their views on the former president - and found similar sentiments.
"This is so obviously a blatant attempt to take Mr. Trump out of the presidential running," 61-year-old Trump-supporting Rom Solene of Arizona said. "And it is a sad day for our nation, considering that others, including Mr. Biden, have been caught with classified documents in their possession."
Even Republicans like Luke Gordon, who doesn't support Mr. Trump's attempt to recapture the White House, viewed the indictment with some skepticism.
"I don't doubt the legitimacy of the claims in the indictment, and I do not defend Trump's actions," the 21-year-old New Yorker said. "However, the motivation behind his prosecution and investigation remains of grave concern."
A June poll by CBS News, the BBC's partner in the US, illustrates the point:
76% of likely Republican primary voters said the classified documents indictment was "politically motivated"
38% of those voters thought it would be a national security risk if the former president kept nuclear or military documents after he left office. For the US public at large, the number is 80%
61% of Republican voters said Mr. Trump's indictments did not change how they viewed the former president, while 14% said it made them see him more positively
"We're really dealing with the tale of two Americas and two distinct bubbles," says Mr Young. "There's one bubble that sees Trump's behavior as lawless. And another bubble sees him as their champion - and that he's being attacked because of that."
Source- BBC
CXC unable to say how Math paper leak affected pass rate
The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) said it’s too early to say whether the pass rate for the 2023 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Mathematics exam dropped as a result of its decision not to mark Paper Two after it was leaked online.
Dr Nicole Manning, CXC’s director of operations, told reporters this morning that the marking process is ongoing and a full analysis will be available when results are released on August 24.
“The marking and grading process for CXC is an objective process managed each year in relation to the submission of the work done by a candidate. Whether there will be an improvement or not that’s really something that will be determined after the process is completed,” she said.
CXC was forced to adjust its marking scheme after papers for the May exam were stolen from an examination center in Jamaica.
CXC is using a “modified approach” to grade the Mathematics exam.
The marking scheme was developed in 2020 to combat challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
It requires all candidates to take at least one common paper. In-school candidates will submit the School-Based Assessments (SBAS) while private candidates will attempt Paper Three (Alternative to SBA).
In a video yesterday, CXC’s Senior Manager for Examinations Development and Production, Alton McPherson, explained Paper One will account for 60 percent of Marks while the remaining 40 percent comes from the SBA/Paper Three.
Students will be marked in the categories of Knowledge, Comprehension, and Reasoning.
When questioned today about the fairness of using the SBA and Paper Three since they were done under different conditions, McPherson dismissed the concerns saying “Any bias existing between the two papers will not necessarily affect a candidate’s grade as each candidate is graded on the scores or paper actually done during the administration of the test”.
Manning said moving forward, CXC has new quality assurance standards for the storage of papers to prevent leaks.
She added CXC is pushing for electronic assessment to be adopted by CXC member countries.
Manning urged persons, who may want to leak papers, to think about the effects disruptions have on the candidates.
Meanwhile, CXC said students, who need to have their results issued early to complete their university application, could apply online for their transcripts.
Source- Caribbean Loop News
Invest Turks and Caicos boosts economy with MSME Program
Written By: Ruthea Robinson
Ms. Robinson is currently participating in the TCI National Internship and Apprenticeship Program, which is being conducted by Career Services under the Ministry of Education. She is a student journalist, podcaster, and documentarian studying at Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, United Kingdom.
Lead: Kacy Higgs became one of the first awardees of Invest TCI's MSME program and now her products can be found on shelves in IGA
The entrepreneurial spirit has long existed in the Turks and Caicos Islands, from the straw markets to boat tours. Carrying on that spirit, Kacy Higgs managed to revitalize an outdated industry with the support of Invest Turks and Caicos' MSME program.
Caicos Traditions, the brand, started with Kacy Higgs leaving her corporate job to tend crops in her backyard. She initially gave away the produce to friends and family or sell it at pop-up markets. Now her products are sold alongside international brands in IGA.
Higgs modernized the traditional way of farming by adding her own "Caicos touch" to every level of the business, from purchasing seeds from neighboring countries and experimenting with local seeds to producing her signature corn flour and grits to integrating modern machinery and packaging.
Farming in Turks and Caicos Islands today has proven to be quite the challenge compared to modern consumption practices that rely heavily on importing food; back then, staple foods like corn, beans, cassava, and pumpkins were readily accessible in these islands.
Climate change, lack of affordable irrigation systems, sparse rainfall, and increasing frequency of hurricanes are all factors that have discouraged many local farmers. Higgs experienced this firsthand after Hurricane Fiona destroyed her bean supply in 2022.
Outside of the challenges she's faced, Higgs shared that she has had many opportunities granted over the years, kicking off with Invest TC's approval of her courageous business plan. Caicos Traditions was among the first businesses accepted into the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise program.
The MSME Program serves as a collaboration between Invest Turks and Caicos and the government in the form of financial assistance. The program provides small businesses with financial support, technical assistance, and duty concessions.
Caicos Traditions was awarded a $25,000 package, including a $10,000 cash grant, $10,000 duties concessions, and $5,000 digital/marketing assistance.
When speaking about the impact of the cash grants, Vice President of Small and Medium Enterprise Development at Invest Turks and Caicos, Alexa Cooper, directly referenced Invest Turks and Caicos' past use of the term 'free money,' saying: "It's not a loan -- it is more like free money but not really -- you have certain obligations that you need to meet within the program."
These obligations include being monitored for the five years that the business is a part of the program and complying with rigorous checks and inspections, all while meeting agreed-upon milestones.
Kacy Higgs admitted that she needed help understanding how to take advantage of the award initially. However, the team behind the MSME program was understanding and lenient enough to accommodate her.
She said: "I had a choice, start with the little that I have and hit the road running or wait for more, and I'm happy that I started with their push,"
Kacy Higgs hopes to refresh the way we think about produce in the TCI by showcasing the vitality of the agriculture industry in North Caicos.
Her collaboration with the MSME program contributed to the growth and development of the program, making it more widely accessible to other local businesses.
She encourages local entrepreneurs to chase their dreams, saying: “There is no stupid dream. If you look around Turks and Caicos, there are so many niche markets that are waiting to be tapped into.”
Cardi B throws microphone into crowd at gig after being hit by drink
Cardi B became the latest star to be hit by an object from the crowd during a concert when an audience member threw their drink at the rapper.
The 30-year-old reacted by throwing her microphone at the concertgoer from the stage.
Although the rapper no longer had a microphone, her voice was still heard on the pre-recorded backing track playing through the speakers.
BBC News has asked representatives for Cardi B for comment.
The incident took place in Las Vegas and was caught on camera from multiple angles by several fans.
In the footage, security staff are seen surrounding the perpetrator and recovering the rapper's microphone.
However, footage from earlier in the concert showed Cardi B asking a different member of the audience to spray her from behind, as she turned her back to the crowd.
Later in the show, the rapper explained the earlier spray had been done on her back and under her own instruction, whereas she objected to the other member of the crowd unexpectedly throwing water which hit her face.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department later confirmed that a show attendee had come forward to "report a battery."
"According to the victim, she was attending an event on July 29, 2023, at a property located in the 3500 block of Las Vegas Boulevard," the Las Vegas police said in a statement. "During a concert, she was struck by an item that was thrown from the stage."
Although Cardi B's microphone was live, the fact that her voice was still heard on the backing track after she threw the mic prompted accusations of lip-synching, as many jokingly compared her with the 1980s group Milli Vanilli.
This is the latest example of performers having their shows interrupted by someone in the crowd throwing something on stage.
In June, Bebe Rexha was hurt when a man threw his phone on stage, hitting her in the face.
The man, named as 27-year-old Nicolas Malvagna of New Jersey, was later charged with two counts of assault in the third degree, one count of harassment in the second degree, one count of aggravated harassment in the second degree, and one count of attempted assault in the third degree.
In November, Harry Styles was hit in the eye with a sweet at a gig, and Pink looked uncomfortable when a bag of human ashes was thrown on stage while she was performing in London.
Last year Cardi B admitted two offences arising from a brawl in a strip club, as part of a deal to avoid a trial and possible jail time.
At the time she said, "I've made some bad decisions in my past that I am not afraid to face and own up to."
Cardi B is best known for hits such as I Like It, Up, Bodak Yellow, and WAP - a duet with Megan Thee Stallion.
Source- BBC
Etsy accused of 'destroying' sellers by withholding money
Online marketplace Etsy has come under fire from sellers for putting 75% of their takings on hold for 45 days.
Hundreds of small businesses recently got an email from Etsy notifying them it was actioning its "reserve system".
Ceramics seller Rachel Collyer said Etsy was holding £899 of her money, which means she cannot afford to buy materials to keep producing.
Etsy said payment reserves were used to "keep the marketplace safe" and cover any potential refunds.
Ms. Collyer has been selling ceramics on Etsy since 2021. She said she was given only a few hours notice before her money was put on reserve.
"This is ruining my business - I can't afford to buy any clay or glazes. We might have to move house because I can't pay any bills," she said.
Etsy's payment policy states the reasons for putting money on hold include a sudden increase in sales, a shop having only made its first sale recently, the shop committing a "policy violation" or "other risk factors".
Some sellers told the BBC that two reserve periods were imposed on them consecutively.
Dan sells made-to-order wood furniture on the site and told the BBC he had no idea why his money was being held.
"Etsy is holding around £7,000 of my money, leaving us to use credit cards and family loans to try and keep our business running and keep food on the table," said the 44-year-old from Buckinghamshire.
His partner Sam said: "There is no ability to have the reserve lifted within the 90 days, you must see out the full period. It's destroyed my business."
Joanna, who ran a bespoke underwear shop on Etsy, told the BBC she too could see no reason for her funds being withheld, and so suddenly.
"I have been selling [on Etsy] for four years," she said. "I woke up to a communication... stating that my account has been put on a 90-day period of reserve whereby they will hold 75% of my sales.
"We have no cases against us, we have performed no malpractice in any way," she said, adding that her account was not restored to normal even after following the site's guidance on lifting the reserve.
The 62-year-old said she would have made £5,000 this month and cannot take out a loan while she waits for the money.
"I canceled all my on-reserve orders and put my shop on vacation. I won't trade with them. I can't afford to," she said.
And almost as suddenly as the reserve was implemented, it was lifted. She received no explanation for either decision.
Sellers on Etsy had their payments delayed earlier in the year following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).
Etsy used SVB to issue money to some of those that sell goods on the site.
But Etsy said only a small proportion of sellers had their pay-outs delayed as a result of the collapse.
The BBC spoke to more than 20 sellers who had similar complaints. One, a disabled seller for whom Etsy is her only source of income, said the company stated it was taking "no complaints" on the issue. Etsy told her it "isn't able to give... [a] specific reason" for withholding thousands of pounds of her takings.
Many sellers wished to remain anonymous for fear of having their shops taken off the platform. The BBC has seen complaints about the reserve system from the US and various countries in the EU.
"If you challenge them or speak out, or don't accept their terms and conditions, your account becomes disabled," one independent UK seller told us.
Etsy disputes this and says that it wouldn't retaliate against a seller for voicing their opinion. It says it takes seller feedback very seriously.
Hundreds of affected Etsy sellers are planning a "strike", or boycott and are organizing various online groups.
An Etsy spokesperson said that the vast majority of sellers receive their funds when they make a sale. They added that the reserve system was used by many online sellers.
However, Amazon's level of reserve is much lower, at around 3% for established sellers until any disputes are resolved.
The Small Business Commissioner, Liz Barclay, said Etsy's "level of reserve is new to us".
She added that while she had no remit across complaints made against non-UK companies, "there have been more complaints recently" made against the US-based firm.
Ms. Barclay said the commission was receiving reports of "many small firms owed several thousands of pounds", which was "heartbreaking at a time when people are struggling with the rising cost of living on top of huge increases in costs of business bills and materials".
"My big worry is that for hundreds of thousands of businesses, this is their only source of income. Anecdotally, we hear that many sellers are women or minority groups and they need this money to pay the bills," Ms Barclay said.
Source- BBC
Jurgen Klopp rules out Liverpool move for Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe
The Merseyside club had been touted as a potential loan destination as Paris Saint-Germain and Mbappe look to find a solution for the final year of his contract.
PSG does not want to let him leave for free when his deal expires next summer although he was not interested in discussing a potential one-year move to Saudi Arabia last week after Al Hilal lodged a world-record £259m bid - and now Klopp has ruled out a move to Liverpool.
"We laugh about it," Klopp exclusively told Sky Germany. "I can say that I think he's a really good player but the financial conditions don't suit us at all. I wouldn't like to ruin the story now... but as far as I know, there's nothing to it.
"It's possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me... that hasn't happened in the eight years that I've been here. That would be the first time."
Mbappe had until midnight on Monday to trigger a one-year extension to his PSG contract. It is not yet clear whether he did or did not, but he was not expected to do so and PSG was 99 percent sure he wouldn't.
Mbappe was dropped from the club's pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea and put up for sale on July 21 because PSG knew he wasn't going to renew and they wanted to sell him as quickly as possible.
They believe he has already agreed to join Real Madrid when he becomes a free agent next summer.
The big question is whether Real Madrid will make a bid for Mbappe in this window or risk losing him to another club.
PSG are expecting Real Madrid to make a half-hearted bid late in the window which they know PSG will reject. Bidding will make it look as if they tried to pay a fee for the player.
PSG has had various approaches for Mbappe in the past 10 days and has had significant interest from big European clubs involving potential player swap deals.
August 12 is the next significant date in the Mbappe saga when PSG play their first game of the season at home to Lorient. What head coach Luis Enrique decides when it comes to his squad and starting XI, plus the reaction of PSG fans to Mbappe could accelerate his departure from the club.
Mbappe is not interested in meeting representatives from Al Hilal to discuss a move to Saudi Arabia.
PSG gave Al Hilal permission to speak to Mbappe after the Saudi club made a world-record €300m (£259m) offer for the player.
Representatives of Al Hilal were in Paris last week but there was no meeting with Mbappe's camp.
PSG insiders believe Mbappe is refusing to speak to Al Hilal because he has already agreed to move to Real Madrid as a free agent next summer when his contract expires.
Source- Sky Sports
What China’s new move in microchip war means for world
China is due to start restricting exports of two materials key to the semiconductor industry, as the chip war with the US heats up.
Under the new controls, special licenses will be needed to export gallium and germanium from the world's second-largest economy.
The materials are used to produce chips and have military applications.
The curbs come after Washington made efforts to limit Beijing's access to advanced microprocessor technology.
China is by far the biggest player in the global supply chain of gallium and germanium. It produces 80% of the world's gallium and 60% of germanium, according to the Critical Raw Materials Alliance (CRMA) industry body.
The materials are "minor metals", meaning that they are not usually found on their own in nature, and are often the by-product of other processes.
Besides the US, both Japan and the Netherlands - which is home to key chip equipment maker ASML - have imposed chip technology export restrictions on China.
"The timing of this announcement from China is not coincidental, given chip export restrictions announced by the Netherlands amongst others," Colin Hamilton from the investment firm BMO Capital Markets told the BBC.
"Quite simply, if you won't give us chips, we won't give you the materials to make those chips," he added.
The constant tit-for-tat between the world's two biggest economies has raised concerns over the rise of so-called "resource nationalism" - when governments hoard critical materials to exert influence over other countries.
"We're seeing governments increasingly move away from the narrative of globalization," says Dr. Gavin Harper, a critical materials research fellow at the University of Birmingham.
"The idea that international markets will simply deliver materials is gone and, if you look at the picture more broadly, Western industry could be facing a bit of an existential threat."
Gallium arsenide - a compound of gallium and arsenic - is used in high-frequency computer chips, as well as in the production of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and solar panels.
A limited number of companies around the world produce gallium arsenide at the purity needed for use in electronics, according to the CRMA.
Germanium is also used to manufacture microprocessors and solar cells. It is also used in vision goggles which are "key to the military," Mr Hamilton said.
However, Mr. Hamilton added: "There should be enough in regional supply from base metal smelters to provide alternatives. The importance of top-quality semiconductors is a harder one to solve, as China really is dominant. There will probably be some push for recycling."
Last month, a Pentagon spokesperson said the US had reserves of germanium but no stockpile of gallium.
The spokesperson added that "The [Defense] Department is proactively taking steps... to increase domestic mining and processing of critical materials for the microelectronics and space supply chain, including gallium and germanium".
Still, the Chinese export restrictions are expected to have a limited impact in the long term.
Although China is the leading exporter of gallium and germanium, there are substitutes for the materials in the production of components like computer chips, political risk consultancy Eurasia Group said.
There are also active mining and processing facilities located outside of China, it added.
The consultancy highlighted similarities to when China restricted the exports of rare earth minerals over a decade ago.
More exporters emerged and in less than a decade China's dominance of the rare earth supply chain fell from 98% to 63%, according to Eurasia's estimates.
"We can expect to see the development and exploitation of alternative sources of gallium and germanium, as well as intensified efforts to recycle these commodities and identify more readily available alternatives," Anna Ashton, Eurasia's director for China corporate affairs and US-China, told the BBC.
"That's not simply going to be a result of China's recently announced export restrictions," she added. "It's a result of expectations of growing demand, intensifying geostrategic competition and distrust, and China's documented willingness to restrict imports and exports in service to political and strategic ends."
In October, Washington announced that it would require licenses for companies exporting chips to China using US tools or software, no matter where they are made in the world.
China has frequently accused the US of "tech hegemony" in response to export controls imposed by Washington.
In recent months, Beijing has also imposed restrictions on US firms linked to the American military such as aerospace company Lockheed Martin.
Meanwhile, Western governments have spoken about the need to "de-risk" China, which means being less reliant on it for both raw materials and finished products.
However, diversifying supply chains and building up the capability to mine and then, crucially, process metals such as gallium and germanium will take years.
In the long term, mineral-rich countries, such as Australia and Canada, see the materials crisis as an opportunity.
Experts warn that weaponizing resources and technological capabilities - as the US and China have both done - will also have global consequences when it comes to the environment.
That is because important new green technologies are reliant on these kinds of materials
"This isn't a national problem. This is a problem that we face as a human race. Hopefully, policymakers can bring their best selves to the table, secure access to those critical materials that are really essential for the energy transition and we can start to tackle some of the challenges around decarbonization," said Dr. Harper.
While the impact of the latest export controls will not be catastrophic for industry or consumers, experts warn it is important to pay attention to where the trend is heading.
"The man and woman in the street cannot relate to gallium and germanium," says Dr Harper. "But equally, they care about how much their car costs or how expensive it will be to switch to green technology."
"Sometimes very abstract policies happening in faraway lands actually translate into something that has a big impact on their lives."
Source- BBC
China removes foreign minister after unexplained absence
China removed Qin Gang as foreign minister less than seven months after he was appointed to the post.
Mr. Qin had been seen as a close associate of President Xi Jinping. He is replaced by veteran Communist Party foreign affairs chief Wang Yi.
Mr. Qin's prolonged disappearance from public view - and official silence over it - has fuelled furious speculation.
The 57-year-old's last known public engagements were on 25 June. No reason was given for his removal.
He had been appointed by China's leader to his post last December. Just over a month ago, he met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing as the two sides sought to restore diplomatic contacts at the highest level.
His departure ends weeks of confusion but leaves many questions unanswered.
"China's top legislature voted to appoint Wang Yi as foreign minister," state news agency Xinhua said.
"Qin Gang was removed from the post of foreign minister."
The report said President Xi had signed the decree authorizing the move. Legislators also voted to replace China's outgoing Central Bank chief Yi Gang - who has reached retirement age - with economist Pan Gongsheng, Xinhua added.
Under the Chinese Communist Party system, foreign policy is formulated by a high-level official, who then directs the foreign minister to implement it.
Wang Yi, a career diplomat who speaks Japanese, is returning to a post he held between 2013 and 2022. He has been standing in for Mr. Qin and is currently in South Africa attending a Brics national security meeting.
Observers see the appointment of Mr. Wang, 69, as a move to stabilize Chinese diplomacy.
Qin Gang was one of the best-known faces of the Chinese government. His prolonged absence was scrutinized not only by diplomats and China watchers but also by ordinary Chinese people.
When he disappeared from his normal duties a month ago and failed to attend a summit in Indonesia, the very brief official explanation given was unspecified health problems.
But the lack of any detail from his ministry led to speculation that he was being punished either for political reasons or because of an extra-marital affair.
His meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, initially scheduled for 4 July, was then pushed back by China with no explanation, further fuelling rumors.
Asked about Mr. Qin's whereabouts on Tuesday before news of his demise, a ministry spokesperson repeated her earlier line that she had no information - highlighting China's secrecy and the opacity of its system of government.
Mr. Qin is one of the most high-level officials in the Chinese Communist Party to have been absent for this long.
But it is not uncommon for high-profile figures in China to go out of public view for long periods of time, only to surface later as the subject of a criminal investigation. Or they could reappear with no explanation.
Xi Jinping himself vanished for a fortnight shortly before becoming China's leader in 2012, prompting speculation about his health and possible power struggles within the party.
Mr. Qin's rise to become a foreign minister was nothing short of dramatic. He is one of the youngest appointees to the post in China's history.
After less than two years in the role of ambassador to the US, where he gained a reputation as a tough-talking diplomat, he was named foreign minister last December.
Before that, he had been a foreign ministry spokesman and had helped organize Mr. Xi's trips overseas - which gave him the opportunity to work closely with China's leader.
There has been huge interest in China in what happened to Qin Gang. The country's biggest search engine, Baidu, has seen a surge in searches for his name recently.
It is unusual for rumors about such a senior official to be discussed on the Chinese internet without complete censorship, observers say.
"The absence of censorship makes people wonder if there is any truth to rumors about power struggles, corruption, the abuse of power and positions, and romantic relationships," Ian Chong from the National University of Singapore told the BBC last week.
Source- BBC
Man who survived on ketchup for 24 days at sea to get new boat - from Heinz
A man who spent 24 days lost at sea seemed to be missing again - but he has been tracked down after a massive social media hunt instigated by Heinz.
The company, famous for its ketchup, plans to buy a new boat for the sailor who spent almost a month surviving on ketchup.
Its campaign to #FindTheKetchupBoatGuy quickly went viral and Elvis Francois was traced to Dominica.
Mr. Francois, 47, was swept out to sea by powerful currents in December while making repairs to his boat.
He had no food - only a bottle of tomato ketchup. He also found garlic granules and seasoning cubes and mixed the condiments with water to give him enough energy to survive.
After his rescue, Mr. Francois described how he had "lost hope" while adrift in the Caribbean Sea of Colombia.
He had to constantly scoop out water from the boat to stop it from sinking and tried to light a fire to send a distress signal but without success.
He was eventually spotted from the air after scrawling the word "help" on the hull of the boat.
Posting on Instagram about its search for Mr. Francois, Heinz said it received "thousands of likes, shares, and messages of kindness".
"It was an incredible group effort across six continents that led to the hundreds of articles and leads and our eventual contact with Elvis."
In a statement to Sky News, a spokesperson for Heinz said the company was able to make contact with Mr. Francois thanks to local Dominica reporters at Emonews.
They were able to "discuss the best way to help support him and his family", the spokesperson said.
They did not reveal details of the boat or when it will be delivered but said "Heinz and Elvis are working out the logistical details of gifting him his new boat".
Source- Sky News
EAP REFRESHER TRAINING
The Ministry of Tourism under the technical guidance of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) facilitated a half-day “Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA)” refresher training on Friday 21 July 2023 at the LIFE Center, Grand Turk for the Environment, Assessment and Planning (EAP) sub-committee. The session was the first in a series of focused gatherings that also looked at the logistics for the teams from Grand Turk and Salt Cay.
The devastation caused by natural disasters in the Turks and Caicos Islands in past years, including the most recent, Hurricane Fiona in September 2022, highlighted the critical need to accurately assess the damage caused by a hazard as well as identify the need for immediate assistance in relief and reconstruction.
Mr. Brian Been, Tourism Risk Manager, opened the session and brought greetings on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and the Committee Chairperson, Mr. Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. Mr. Patrick Jarrett, a member of the DANA team, delivered the invocation. The training was facilitated by Mr. Kevern A. De Bellott, Hazard Mitigation & GIS Manager, DDME. Other members of the Ministry of Tourism executive, including Deputy Secretaries, Mr. Arthur Been and Mr. Ronlee James and Head of Secretariat Mrs. Mellisa Ariza were on hand; the DDME team was also supported by Ms. Kevaun Lucas, Deputy Director and Mr. Gary McLean, Community Preparedness Officer. There was full participation from the team and the turnout was seen as a success by the organizers. The session was also streamed via Microsoft Teams for those attending in Salt Cay.
In commenting on the event, the Hon. Josephine Connolly stated, 'This is an excellent example of risk mitigation as my Ministry of Tourism is responsible for the EAP sub-committee, and our focus on efficient damage assessment, while reducing interruptions and returning to normalcy if impacted not only by storms but other hazards. Thanks to the DDME for the continual assistance to the EAP on this initiative.'
The Ministry will conduct other sessions throughout the islands as this will be a regular activity for the EAP. The Ministry encourages persons wanting to become volunteer damage assessors to register interest with the DDME or Ministry.