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What hinders a Healthy Sex Life in Committed relationships by Dr. Patrick E. Prince

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Sex or sexual issues are usually symptoms of other problems within the relationship. When these are resolved, most couples realized it was never about sex.

The following checklist highlights a few of the common relationship issues that I have experienced / addressed throughout my 23+ years of practice dealing with couples. This is not limited to TCI, but includes my Country, St. Kitts & Nevis, as well as other Caribbean Countries, and the United States of America where I studies and trained. This is not an exhaustive list; and these so-called sexual issues are often not about sex or sexual activities, but are signs and symptoms of other fundamental issues that are ignored:

1. Boundary Issues – most spouses want to change their partners, and can’t; thus, there are holdouts on sexual activities as a way to pressure that change, which often never comes. Instead, it puts more strain on the relationship and on sexual activity.

2. Decreased or Lack of Intimacy – as a result of couples not being able to spend the quality time and communicating as openly and positively as before, when they first met; desire for and affection towards each other decline. This often leaves both partners, or at least one partner unsatisfied; and sexual activity becomes more of a chore than a cloud of bliss.

3. Distracted Attention – couples usually bring children into the mix. Children are a blessing; but couples have a tendency to allow children to distract their love, romance, and intimacy. Couples don’t date anymore, don’t have their sexual cat-plays anymore, they don’t dress sexily in the bedroom anymore… when asked why? The usual response, “the Children.” Of course, this hinders getting to the home base (Sex!!!).

4. Emotional Cheating – because of all of the above previously highlighted issues, couples usual turn to a friend or a online buddy or a neighbor to confide in. This becomes a habitual activity. And, before you know it, it has gone too far. In most cases, there are no physical sexual interactions. However, the partner becomes so caught up in the emotional relationship that it distracts from the actual “real” relationship. Not finding a way to effectively communicate their needs and the relational hiccups, couples cause the door to the bedroom to be temporary closed.

5. Lack of Appreciation – can trigger infidelity or emotional cheating. When a partner does not feel appreciated, s/he often turn to others for such attention. More often than not does “it” stays as verbal compliments. Left attended, it crosses over to the other side… where sexual activity looks brighter.

6. Lack of Effective Communication – instead of couples communicate with each other, they talk at each other, complain to each other, and criticize one another as a means to communicate. What this does is turn off the switch to the activities in bedroom, starting with a decline in intimacy and foreplaying.

7. Money – The Mighty King Sparrow (Calypsonian) sings, “No Money, No Love.” Couples are often not openly honest with each other about the finances. In many relationships, couples don’t budget; and the financial resources become depleted. The bills are yet to paid, but one partner has a new set of leather car seats or the other partner gets her ballroom-style gown, nails done, hair style off the chain for the upcoming event… Either way, neither partner previously discussed their spending; and thus, this turns into a verbal fight of yelling and name calling, resulting into resentment lasting for weeks up to months. When this happens, you know the bedroom door is closed for business… No Money, No Love!

8. Poor Time Management – due to the stressful demands of work and hours spent on community volunteering activities, couples become so busy and distressed that the quality of their marital relationship decline, starting with the lack of spending quality time with each other. Therefore, the teasing and cat-playing that usual precedes awesome sexual activities are stopped; thus, killing the “big bang” feeling during sexual activities.

9. Technological Interference and Distraction – with technology comes responsibility. Many couples text at dinner, at family meetings, in the bedroom – when they should be touching and gently caressing each other. Having the laptop in bed all the time next to your partner, doe not equal “Quality Time.” Many couples are on Facebook, when they should be kissing their partners faces. Many are on Twitter, when they should be tweeting the words of love in their partners ears. When this happens, partners will be turned off; thus, shutting the lid to the cookie jar.

10. Unwillingness to Forgive – “I can forgive, but I can’t forget” … is usually what is said when asked about forgiving the past and moving on for the better. Many couples are NOT willing to forgive; … they are able to forgive, but more often, they are NOT willing to forgive. When this happens, resentment usually dominates and many partners resort to sleeping in the children’s or other bedroom or on the sofa / couch to avoid intimacy or sexual interactions with their significant other.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

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Emailer Threatens Our Children; ‘Close Down the School’

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Deandrea Hamilton

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Turks and Caicos, April 25, 2025 – Turks and Caicos national security leaders were deliberately vague about what led to their snap decision to shut down schools across Providenciales this week. The likely reason was to avoid panic after they were alerted to the dangerous and frightening prospect of what some anonymous sender planned to inflict upon the children, families and at least six private schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, has launched an active investigation following the receipt of suspicious emails to six schools earlier this evening.

At this stage, police intelligence has not confirmed the legitimacy of the threats. However, the police force is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness.”

However, holding onto the precise threat spelled out in those ghastly emails, meant parents remained frustratingly clueless about what was so serious that it prompted school officials, to late on Wednesday night, ask them to not to drop their children to school.

Schools which were in session complied with the police statement, though we understand there was no direct communication with school administrations.

Magnetic Media also learned that those now infamous emails, dispatched to half a dozen schools including the International School, Precious Treasures, Provo Primary and British West Indies Collegiate, contained a bone-chilling threat to shoot at the schools this Friday, April 25, 2025.

“…you’ve been randomly selected for a shooting I recommend to have minimal damage done to close the school.  You will be given a 24Hr notice and a 12 Hr notice, God bless.”

There was no blessing obviously and thankfully, no violence.  Some of the schools targeted with the violent email are still on Easter Holiday.

“A joint meeting between education officials and senior police officers was convened promptly after the emails were reported. The RT&CIPF’s Intelligence Unit is fully engaged and working to trace the origin of the messages.

We understand that these messages may cause concern and wish to assure the public that everything possible is being done to protect our school communities,” informed the police press statement.

The statement came after 10 p.m. on Thursday April 23.

The sender, identified in the email as ‘Charles Millson’ and issued the threat to multiple schools via their staff accounts about 12 hours earlier, just minutes before 10 a.m. on April 23.  In the subject line: ‘Close Down the School.’

In this age of hyper-advanced technology, the email probably emanated from a phony account created to perpetrate this crime, which is in violation of the Summary Offences Ordinance, where ‘causing fear’ is cited as a crime and the Firearms Ordinances, which carries a weighty penalty of a 12-year minimum mandatory prison time for possession of an unlicensed gun and ammunition.

Authorities are expected to update the public on the progress of the investigation and its next steps. Students will remain home on Friday.

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Turks and Caicos Islander Deajah Smith Selected for Prestigious 2025 Women’s Sport Leadership Academy

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Turks and Caicos, April 25, 2025 – The Turks and Caicos Islands is proud to announce that DeAjah Smith has been selected to join the 2025 cohort of the internationally acclaimed Women’s Sport Leadership Academy (WSLA). Smith’s acceptance into the program marks a significant achievement, as she was chosen from a competitive pool of over 95 applicants representing more than 50 countries.

Her successful application was strongly supported by TCI Women in Sports, with a personal endorsement from the organisation’s founder and former president, Hon. Rita Gardiner. A trailblazer for women’s sports in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Gardiner commended Deajah’s “unwavering dedication, leadership potential, and her commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls in sport.”

The WSLA selection team expressed high regard for Deajah’s skills, experiences, and aspirations, recognising her as someone who would not only benefit from the program but also contribute meaningfully to the global network of women leaders in sport.

A passionate advocate for youth and women’s empowerment through sport, Deajah has been actively involved in promoting inclusivity and development across the islands. Her selection underscores the growing impact of Caribbean women in global sports leadership spaces.

“I’m incredibly honoured to be accepted into WSLA 2025,” said Deajah. “This opportunity means so much to me, not only as a personal milestone, but as a chance to represent Turks and Caicos and inspire the next generation of girls in sport. I’m grateful for the support of Hon. Rita Gardiner and TCI Women in Sports for believing in me and championing my journey.”

The Women’s Sport Leadership Academy, based in the United Kingdom, is a globally recognised initiative that equips emerging leaders with the tools, strategies, and network to drive positive change in sport and beyond.

As Deajah prepares to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands on the international stage, her achievement serves as a source of national pride and a call to continue investing in the leadership potential of young women across the region.

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‘People will face consequences’ – VP Jagdeo on Adrianna Younge’s death

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Guyana, April 25, 2025 – As the nation mourns the heartbreaking death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed condolences to her family on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and called for full transparency in the ongoing probe.

During a press conference on Thursday, the Vice President described it as a “sad day for Guyana.”

He also made it clear that anyone within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) found to be involved in covering up the circumstances surrounding the child’s death will face severe consequences.

Dr. Jagdeo’s remarks come amid growing public outrage and scrutiny of the police’s handling of the case. He pointed to several troubling inconsistencies in the GPF’s initial report.

According to that report, Adrianna was at the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, with her grandmother and siblings when she reportedly disappeared around 13:00-14:00 hours. The police initially claimed that the hotel’s CCTV system was non-functional; however, footage from external sources reportedly captured Adrianna entering a red and black Toyota Raum, bearing registration number PSS 4684, which was later seen heading east toward Vreed-en-Hoop.

“If they have that footage (the police) and they put it in the statement…they should immediately release that footage,” Dr Jagdeo said.

“Something is wrong, and we have to get to the bottom of it. We are not going to rest until that happens. And whoever is culpable, whoever, if there is a coverup, people will face consequences; we are not going to tolerate this. This young girl should never have lost her life.”

Just 24 hours after issuing the initial report, the GPF acknowledged discrepancies in the information released and has since launched an internal review.

Dr Jagdeo also spoke of the emotional toll the incident has taken on Adrianna’s family, stating, “I saw a video of the father speaking and how distraught he was. The family deserves answers, and the people of this country need answers.”

The discovery of Adrianna’s body in the hotel pool after hours of desperate searching has plunged the nation into deep mourning. Frustration over handling the case has sparked protests, with citizens demanding justice and accountability.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has since ordered the GPF to establish a special investigative team to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

“We must uncover the full truth of everything that transpired, and no resource or effort will be spared,” the President said via his official social media account.

President Ali also spoke directly with Adrianna’s mother, pledging the government’s full support in pursuing justice. President Ali has further instructed the GPF to compile a comprehensive report detailing all actions since the investigation began.

To support this, the government has ordered an independent autopsy and Barbadian forensic pathologist Dr. Shubhakar Karra Paul is expected to arrive in Guyana at 5:30 p.m. today to conduct the post-mortem examination.

VP Jagdeo also offered his condolences on behalf of the PPP to the families of Maline LaCruz, who was killed by her husband, along with her mother, Waveny LaCruz and sister, Sueann LaCruz. Maline’s younger brother, Ceon LaCruz, was also injured in the shooting and is in critical condition.

He said the government is committed to uncovering the details behind the shooting, particularly the legality of the gun used to kill the three women.

“Because if he had a legal firearm, after the assault, he was supposed to lodge the firearm … we will look at this matter,” he assured.

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