By Shanieka Smith

Staff Writer

December 1, 2022 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) noted that over the past three years, no advancements have been made in HIV prevention and treatment, particularly in the Caribbean, which is among several other regions that still have not attained pre-pandemic statistics.

UNICEF Associate Chief of HIV/AIDS, Anurita Bains said many young people’s lives are at risk due to this stagnation. The number of young people living with HIV globally is now at 2.7 million.

“Children are falling through the cracks because we are collectively failing to find and test them and get them on life-saving treatment.  Every day that goes by without progress, over 300 children and adolescents lose their fight against AIDS,” the associate chief said.

UNICEF noted a decline in the number of children living with HIV over the last decade.  The number of new infections decreased by 52 per cent for children under 14 years old, and by 40 per cent for those ages 15 to 19.  The treatment gap between children and adults still widens and failure to address this will make ending AIDS in children and adolescents impossible.

According to UNICEF, only 52 per cent of children living with HIV globally are able to access treatment.  Pregnant and breastfeeding women in many high-priority countries experienced a decline in treatment coverage in 2020, which led to over 75,000 new child infections.

Bains gave assurance that strategic partnership, the availability of resources, and a renewed political commitment to those who are most vulnerable will help to end AIDS in children, pregnant women and adolescents.

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

The  co-chairs of the Turks and Caicos’ National Security Council will be heading to The Bahamas in the coming days to meet with both their Bahamian counterparts and representatives from the United States in order to deepen their security collaboration.

Governor Nigel Dakin made the announcement on Tuesday on Instagram.

The delegation seems to be a fairly strong one with the top bosses to be accompanied by Senior Police, Regiment and National Security Secretariat officials.

The visit comes as a five nation coalition which also includes the UK and Jamaica, works to keep crime under control in the Turks and Caicos.

In addition to that Dakin revealed updated specs for the country’s patrol boats. The Marine branch of the Royal TCI Police is now outfitted with thermal imaging and radar capacity.

The governor touted the new capabilities as a major refit that swings the advantage in the direction of the TCI.

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Canada, November 22, 2022 – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, on November 17, announced that a Canadian man, Gérald Nicolas, has been charged with terrorism for planning a terrorist act to overthrow the Haitian government of Jovenel Moïse.

The fifty-one-year-old is set to appear at the Québec courthouse on December 1st to face three terrorism-related charges under the Canadian Criminal Code.  The charges are leaving Canada to facilitate terrorist activity, facilitating terrorist activity and providing property for terrorist purposes.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the investigation began in July 2021, and it is unrelated to the assassination of Jovenel Moïse.

According to reports by the police, Nicolas planned to stage an armed revolution in Haiti and ultimately seize power.

“It is alleged that he took concrete actions, including travelling to Haiti to coordinate a group of individuals whose intention was to take part in a coup against the established authority,” the police said.