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Ban on TikTok?  US working on a Bill to outlaw the Chinese App

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

#USA, December 14, 2022 – The United States is seeking to ban uber popular social networking app TikTok in a new bipartisan bill.  Republican Senator Marco Rubio is at the head of the new bill which would see more than 80 million US users lose access to their platforms.

The app which skyrocketed to popularity in 2018 after merging with Music.ly is owned by Chinese media giant ByteDance.

There have been several accusations laid against TikTok in the past including a recurring theme that it is ‘spying on Americans’.   According to Rubio’s press office, the ‘Averting the National Threat of Internet Surveillance, Oppressive Censorship and Influence, and Algorithmic Learning by the Chinese Communist Party Act’ (ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act) would ‘protect Americans by blocking and prohibiting all transactions from any social media company in, or under the influence of, China, Russia, and several other foreign countries of concern.’

Describing the social media app as a ‘threat’, Rubio said, “This isn’t about creative videos — this is about an app that is collecting data on tens of millions of American children and adults every day.  We know it’s used to manipulate feeds and influence elections.  We know it answers to the People’s Republic of China.  There is no more time to waste on meaningless negotiations with a CCP-puppet company.  It is time to ban Beijing-controlled TikTok for good.”

Facebook and Twitter have come under similar scrutiny.  Facebook accused of facilitating espionage and international interference in US Elections.  Twitter is alleged to have employed foreign spies.  Most US social media, especially those created and controlled by giant META, are banned in China.

Any ban on TikTok will be a huge boon for META as one of its most popular apps Instagram, a photo based app, has repeatedly tried to rebrand with more TikTok-esque interfaces.  It has been unsuccessful, and several updates have been rolled back after widespread complaints.

It is unclear whether the bill will be debated this year or reintroduced early next year.  The US House is under Republican control but the Senate is under Democratic control which could determine whether or not the bill is passed.

Bahamas News

“Unspoken Storms” Breaks the Silence on Menopause—And How It Impacts Marriages of Faith

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AuthorsAndWritersHub.com

 

 Bahamas — Bahamian author Teri M. Bethel combines heartfelt storytelling, practical tools, and devotionals to help couples navigate the emotional and spiritual challenges of menopause together. Often called “the silent storm” in a woman’s life, menopause is deeply personal, widely misunderstood, and rarely discussed openly. Teri M. Bethel is changing that conversation with her new book, Unspoken Storms: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Menopause and Marriage – With Devotional Prayers for Emotional Healing and Intimacy.

Through the fictional yet emotionally raw story of Amanda—a devoted wife navigating menopause’s emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges—Bethel opens the door for honest, grace-filled conversations in homes and churches.

For many women, menopause brings more than just hot flashes; it can shake identity, emotions, and even marriage. “It’s unfortunate, but menopause sneaks up on many women and men,” says Bethel. “Beyond the jokes about hot flashes or personal summers, there’s often silence. But when mood swings, depression, anxiety, brain fog, and the physical pain of intimacy show up—and no one connects the dots—confusion can take root. My goal was to bring hope, clarity, and real help to this season.”

Early readers are calling Unspoken Storms “a book that walks beside you like a trusted friend.” Colleen Aitken praised Bethel’s approach as “beautifully tender, yet raw in its honesty—offering hope, healing, and restoration.” Heather Sands added: “I couldn’t put it down. It’s not the typical menopause book—it’s a source of peace, relief, and understanding for both women and men. This book belongs in every marriage ministry.”

Men often want to help but don’t know how, which can lead to misunderstanding, distance, or even divorce. While there are medical guides and clinical handbooks, very few books speak to women and couples with faith, empathy, and hope, blending story, Scripture, and practical steps for relief.

More than a novel, Unspoken Storms is a resource:

  • For women: to feel seen, understood, and equipped with faith and practical tools for this stage of life.
  • For men: a bonus chapter by Teri’s husband, Tellis, which offers insight into how menopause affects husbands, especially those who may be facing midlife challenges themselves, plus prayers to strengthen the marriage.
  • For couples: guidance to restore communication, intimacy, and partnership.

Bahamian author, Dr. Deborah Pople-Smith commended the book for “helping marriages realize that talking about menopause is not taboo—it’s necessary. Love and intimacy can still be shared with a little understanding and patience.”

“Menopause can feel like the end of something,” says Bethel. “But in reality, it can be the refining of love and faith. This book is an invitation to walk through it—together, stronger.”

Unspoken Storms is now available in Nassau at Logos Bookstore, in Eleuthera at Office General, and on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audio formats.

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Enternainment

Island Elegance Meets Soulful Sound: TCI Gears Up for “Intimate Jazz & Soul” at Barbetta Lounge

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Magnetic Media | Editorial Team

 

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos — The Turks and Caicos cultural calendar is heating up as the countdown begins for Intimate Jazz & Soul — a sultry, sophisticated evening of music, art, and expression, headlined by local music icon Tess Charles and a host of homegrown talent.

Set to unfold on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the chic Barbetta Lounge at The Somerset, the event promises to be more than a concert — it’s a curated cultural experience that fuses jazz, soul, spoken word, and fine art into one radiant night. From 8PM to 10PM, guests will step into an atmosphere of class and creativity, dressed in their summer linens and ready for an unforgettable night under the island stars.

The line-up is electric:

Mohen Cox — saxophonist and storyteller known for weaving melodies and humor with magnetic ease.
SamSol and Aaliyah Elliot — rising stars with rich vocals and stage presence; Aaliyah, also a Miss Turks & Caicos Universe contender, is poised to dazzle.

O’Brien Forbes and Super P — fan-favorite showmen whose energetic performances never disappoint.

Visual artists Levenia BishopAncy DoriscaBrittney Bien Aime, and Fay Ninon will add an elegant touch with a live fine art exhibition, offering guests a chance to engage with the Turks and Caicos creative scene.

Spoken word and poetry will round out the soulful ambiance, connecting hearts and minds in an evening that celebrates talent and island pride.

Presented by Barbetta House & TESSIntimate Jazz & Soul is already causing a stir on the island. Tickets are $75 and selling fast — available exclusively at Nikki’s Trinkets. For reservations, call (649) 332-4412.

With limited seating and a powerful mix of sound, sight, and soul, this one-night-only event is shaping up to be the talk of the summer. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this enchanting evening where island elegance meets artistic excellence.

Will you be there when the island takes center stage?

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Caribbean News

ALIV & ALIVFibr Sweep, winning 5 Ookla Awards at CANTO 2025

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

ALIV and ALIVFibr have been honored with five major Ookla awards at the recent CANTO Conference in Nassau, taking top honors for: Fastest Mobile Network in The Bahamas; Best Mobile Network in The Bahamas; Best Mobile Gaming Experience in The Bahamas; Best Fixed Gaming Experience in The Bahamas and Fastest Fixed Network in the Caribbean.

These accolades, based on billions of global Speedtest® results, underscore ALIV’s robust infrastructure and commitment to innovation. Franklyn Butler II, CEO of Cable Bahamas Group, highlighted this significance:

“These awards are based on billions of real-world tests—independent, objective, and customer-driven… That speaks volumes about the strength of our infrastructure and our commitment to innovation.”

John Gomez, CEO of ALIV, praised the milestone as proof of delivering a world-class network:

“These awards are tangible proof that we’ve achieved our goal of building a top-of-the-line, unrivaled network in the Caribbean. We will continue to expand the ALIVFibr network to Abaco and beyond.”

This dual recognition—spanning both mobile and fixed sectors—is rare in the region and demonstrates ALIV’s ongoing growth and ambition. The company’s strategic fiber rollout, branded as ALIVFibr, has rapidly expanded high-speed broadband in Nassau and parts of Abaco, backed by a $70 million investment.

Public sentiment also aligns with this prize-winning momentum. According to a 2024 retail fixed market review by URCA, customers rated service availability and reliability highly—evidence that quality is consistently improving. However, social media feedback shows pockets of concern over service installation delays, suggesting room for customer support enhancement.

With nearly universal internet coverage—94% national penetration but only 24% fixed broadband adoption—these awards signal ALIVFibr’s ability to close the remaining connectivity gaps. The company’s speed, reliability, and national strategy are now validated by both metrics and metrics and user sentiment.

As ALIVFibr continues its rollout to Abaco and beyond, this victory is more than symbolic—it’s a tangible testament to its leadership in Bahamian telecom.

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