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Judge Paul Harrison dead at 84; Special court sitting to be held in his honour in TCI

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#TurksandCaicos, February 8, 2021 – An esteemed member of the Caribbean judiciary died on Sunday, leaving those who cherished him as family, friend, colleague and accomplished judge with memories of the good times and his celebrated service, deeply saddened at the loss.

“Very sad news.  Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Paul Harrison, in my humble opinion one of the finest judges every to sit on the Jamaican Bench, has died.  This is an irreparable loss to the regional Judiciary,” said Gordon Robinson, in a Tweet on Sunday around 5:46pm.

Less than two hours later, Her Ladyship Justice Mabel Agyemang, Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands issued a statement.

“It is with heavy hearts that the Chief Justice and members of the Judiciary of the Turks and Caicos Islands announce the death of the Hon. Mr. Justice Paul Harrison…”

Judge Harrison, who died in his native Jamaica, had recently taken ill, explained the Chief Justice in the media release. 

“On 10 July 2012, Justice Harrison was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court and was assigned to preside over the R v Michael Misick & Ors because of his hard work and proven integrity. He gave of his best to the judiciary of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the 8 years that he presided over that trial.  He will be remembered with affection and respect.”

Harrison led the precedent setting trial, as the first judge to preside over a juryless trial in the UK overseas territory.  The case before him was also singular in nature as it charged a former premier, his deputy and several cabinet ministers with malfeasance and abuse of power while in office from 2003 to 2007.

Just last month, Harrison agreed to a plea deal which granted a suspended sentence to one of the accused – Lillian Boyce upon the condition she repaid a one million dollar penalty to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The month prior, the high court judge disagreed with a legal argument asking him to return to the Turks and Caicos for continuation of the protracted trial.  The Justice explained the high risk for Covid-19 rating in the Turks and Caicos and advice for his vulnerable age-group to avoid risks were the reasons for his firm decision to carry on the trial, virtually.

Harrison was originally expected to complete the trial in 2014; that was seven years ago. 

In announcing the selection of the retired judge to hear the case back in 2012, the nation learned Harrison, a native of Jamaica, had previously served as president of Jamaica’s Court of Appeal, a judge of its Supreme Court and a Crown Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica, among other positions.

He was admitted to the bar in London in 1969 as a member of Lincoln’s Inn.

At the time of his startling death, Judge Harrison was 84 years old and already there is steady stream of condolences to his family over social media.

“I am totally heartbroken over this. What a gentleman. What a scholar.  What a loss.  May his soul rest in peace and my condolences to his family,” was a Tweet from Annaliesa E Lindsay.

 “Heartfelt sadness and may God’s richest blessings comfort his family,” said Byron Ward, on Twitter.

“My sincere condolences to Dirk and the rest of his family.  May his soul Rest In Peace,” expressed VM3 on the same Twitter feed.

Chief Justice Agyemang informed that a special sitting in his memory would be announced, adding “May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

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Widow’s Testimony Recounts Night Haiti President Was Killed

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MIAMI, Florida — Emotional testimony from Martine Moïse, the widow of assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, has given jurors in a U.S. federal courtroom a chilling account of the night gunmen stormed the presidential residence and killed the country’s leader.

Martine Moïse took the stand this week in Miami as part of the ongoing trial of several men accused of helping plan and finance the July 7, 2021 assassination, a crime that plunged Haiti into political crisis and remains only partially solved.

She told the court that armed men forced their way into the president’s private home in the hills above Port-au-Prince during the early morning hours, firing multiple shots at her husband while she lay beside him. She testified that she was also wounded in the attack and survived by pretending to be dead until the gunmen left the room.

According to prosecutors, the plot involved a group of foreign mercenaries, including former Colombian soldiers, along with Haitian and Haitian-American suspects. Investigators say some of the men believed the mission was to detain the president, but the operation turned into an assassination.

The Miami trial is focusing on the alleged role of South Florida businessmen and others accused of organizing or financing the plan, part of a wider international investigation that has stretched across several countries.

More than four years after the killing, the question of who ultimately ordered the assassination remains unanswered, with suspects still in custody in both Haiti and the United States as the case continues to unfold.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Jamaica Joins Afreximbank Agreement, Strengthening Africa–Caribbean Partnership

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CARIBBEAN — Jamaica has become the 13th CARICOM member state to accede to the African Export-Import Bank Establishment Agreement, further strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

The development was confirmed during the 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, where an Afreximbank delegation led by George Elombi and Kanayo Awani met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to advance cooperation.

Prime Minister Holness thanked the bank for its support following Jamaica’s recent hurricane, noting that Afreximbank financing helped restore critical infrastructure including water, electricity, sewage systems and roads, while also assisting reconstruction efforts aimed at building stronger resilience to future disasters.

The meeting also focused on broader development opportunities tied to Jamaica’s membership in the agreement. Discussions included rebuilding and modernising infrastructure such as railways, hospitals and other public facilities, while strengthening regional transportation and trade networks to improve the movement of people and goods across the Caribbean.

Afreximbank has been expanding its presence in the Caribbean as part of its strategy to connect Africa with the region often referred to as “Global Africa.” The bank has already committed billions of dollars in financing and trade support to Caribbean economies in recent years, including funding for infrastructure, trade facilitation and private sector investment.

By joining the agreement, Jamaica gains expanded access to Afreximbank’s financial instruments, technical support and trade networks designed to promote commerce between Africa and CARICOM states.

Regional leaders say the growing partnership could unlock new opportunities in areas such as trade, logistics, tourism, manufacturing and cultural exchange, strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions with deep historical and diaspora ties.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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