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Tragic turn of events in relation to the missing Sorineida Moreno – Arias

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July 13, 2016 – We are deeply saddened by the tragic turn of events in relation to the missing Sorineida Moreno – Arias.

Our hearts go out to her family especially the children  and the entire Dominican community. Another young life has been snuffed out by a heartless coward who played god for a moment and in a cruel and senseless act robbed children of their mother and family and friends of their loved one.  This senseless act highlights a number of pressing national issues and we can ill afford to allow this crime to go unsolved. The Police have stated that they are looking for a blue Nissan March and if there are those of us among us, as I do believe there always is, who know something and do not speak, then you are equally as guilty.  I invite us to not pass judgment and be insensitive in our comments. Victims of crime can and should never be blamed for crimes against them. All lives matter and everyone deserve the right to be safe in all situations. I had prayed for her safe return but am grateful that she has been found so that her family can have closure and give her a proper farewell.

Unfortunately, I must state again how disappointed I am that an image of the deceased has been making its way around on social media. I call on persons to cease such a thing and to respect the victim and her family. It is insensitive and disrespectful to all women, as an act against one must be seen by other women as an act against all.

This issue also highlights the need for a Rapid Response Task Force for missing persons, particularly women and children.  I praise the Dominican community for their efforts and the other nationalities who helped in one or another. The need to preserve crime scenes when applicable is critical and the protection of the body from unauthorised photographs must be of paramount importance, not just for the rights of the victim and their families but to not expose evidence to a receiving public that may include the perpetrator. We must catch up in crime fighting and response. Times and criminals have changed and we must employ new tactics and tools. Whilst we appreciate the limited resources, we can not embrace that reason and must demand that more be done.

Crime though low in comparison to neighboring countries is still at a level that we should never accept. Crime is a serious concern for my Party which is why we have rolled out a 12 point crime plan that is all encompassing. We invite the authorities to look at it and do what is best for our people.

I am personally seriously concerned about the safety of our women and children and earlier this year I raised this concern as it relates to transportation by jitney.  This cry like others has fallen on deaf ears. It was only a few days ago that I submitted a parliamentary question requesting the statistics (inclusive of numbers and types of offenses) relating to crime against women and this question should be answered at the next House Meeting  on July 25, 2016. Last year when we passed laws to increase the rights of women, we saw two heinous crimes against women and I spoke to both in a joint release. We have since heard and seen more incidents that ought to encourage all sisters to speak out and stand together.

To all women and all residents alike, we must not make take our safety for granted and we must be wise in our decisions and take no unnecessary risks.

I encourage us all to speak out from where we stand especially those who have information about this and other crimes . Crime Stoppers at 1800TIPS welcomes tips and you will remain anonymous.

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Caribbean News

CARPHA Progresses to Eligibility for the First Disbursement of Pandemic Funding

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Following a landmark Public Signing Ceremony for the Pandemic Fund (PF) Technical Cooperation Agreement (“Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response” [RG-T4387] Project) on December 14, 2023, in Trinidad, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) continues to progress towards the start of implementation.

 CARPHA fulfilled the IDB’s nine conditions prior to first disbursement, achieving full eligibility on March 15, 2024, and is now eligible for the first disbursement. This milestone achievement in just 3 months after the signing speaks to the commitment of both CARPHA, the Executing Agency, and IDB, the Implementing Entity, toward the regional PF project with the objective of supporting the reduction of the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean by building pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) surveillance & early-warning systems (EWS), laboratory systems and workforce capacity, regionally at CARPHA and in countries.

Since the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement and as part of the conditions prior to first disbursement, CARPHA has achieved the following key outputs (i) the development of the PF Project Operations Manual, Multi-annual Execution Plan, Procurement Plan, Financial Plan, Procedure for CARPHA’s Financial Reporting System; (ii) vacancy announcements for two tranches of consultants with the subsequent hiring of five (Technical Coordinator, Financial Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Operations Officer and Project Operations Coordinator) and (iii) the establishment of the Project Execution Unit (PEU) and Project Execution Steering Committee (PESC). The dedicated PEU will be responsible for execution according to its planned timelines, which will be led by the Dr. Lisa Indar, the Project Director (CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division).

 CARPHA, as the lead regional public health agency and an expression of Caribbean Cooperation in Health is mandated by its Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to support its 26 CARPHA Member States (CMS) in bolstering national systems and coordinating regional response to public health threats. The Agency works closely with regional and international agencies and uses regional mechanisms, surveillance systems, and networks for coordinating its public health response work.

In July 2023, the PF Governing Board announced that CARPHA’s regional entity proposal, entitled ‘Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Strengthened Integrated Early Warning Surveillance, Laboratory Systems and Workforce Development’ was successfully selected for the first round of financing. It was one of only 19 proposals selected from over 300 submissions and the only regional project. The three priority areas in the proposal are: (i) Comprehensive disease surveillance and EWS, (ii) Laboratory systems and (iii) Human resources and public health and community workforce capacity.

This project is expected to begin implementation in March 2024, starting off with a blended onboarding session. A Stakeholder Meeting with countries is tentatively planned for July 2024.

CARPHA remains dedicated to working together with the IDB, CARPHA Member States and the Pandemic Fund to successfully implement the regional proposal geared toward reducing the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean.

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Men who had Murdered Man, Marley Higgs’ cell phone face Court

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

The prosecution intends to try two young North Caicos men, both age 21 for the offense of possession of property of a murdered man, property that was stolen and landed in their possession.

The phone belonged to Peureton ‘Marley’ Higgs, who is believed to have been an innocent gunned down at his apartment complex in the Glass Shack area in a spray of bullets on February 2 that killed another man and wounded two others, including a ten-year-old little girl.

The cell phone was described as white in colour, an iPhone, in a hard black case. 

On Monday, March 18th, JEFFVANO HANDFIELD of North Caicos pleaded not guilty to the offense, and the matter was adjourned to April 2024. He was granted bail in the matter.

A second North Caicos man was charged similarly.  

SARENO CAPELLAN aka, Kino Williams is the second individual brought before the court pertaining to the said cellphone. He appeared in court a week after JEFFVANO HANDFIELD, the date being Monday March 25th 2024.

The case for the Crown is that both men sometime in February of this year possessed the cellphone knowing or suspecting it to be stolen property.

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Caribbean News

Supreme Court Closed for Easter

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NOTICE is hereby given that the Easter Recess shall commence on Friday 29th April, 2024 and end on Friday 5th April, 2024. During the Easter Recess Judge Selochan will be available to deal only with matters that are urgent or require prompt attention.

Court Business During the Easter Recess

A person who wishes to have a matter heard during the recess must file a certificate of urgency along with an affidavit, which must set out the reasons why the matter is urgent or requires prompt attention. The matter will not be listed during the recess unless the Judge deems it fit for urgent hearing.

Opening Hours During the Easter Holiday

The Supreme Court’s last sitting day for the first term is Thursday 28th March, 2024. The Court will officially resume sittings on Monday 8th April, 2024. The Supreme Court Offices in both Grand Turk and Providenciales will continue to operate while the Court is not sitting during the recess.

The Court Office will be closed on the following public holidays:

  • Friday 29th March, 2024 (Good Friday) CLOSED
  • Monday 1st April, 2024 (Easter Monday) CLOSED

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