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FROM THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: Ripple Effect, a short film produced by the Project I.D.E.A. Media Club, has been officially selected for the Caribbean Film Festival. This marks a historic milestone as it is the first film shot and directed in the Turks and Caicos Islands by local filmmakers to be selected for a regional film festival. Commissioned by the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission, the project was led by Project Lead Nandina Hislop and filmmaker Samuel Jules, owner of One Island Media.

The Caribbean Film Festival will take place from 11 -15 June 2025, at CinemaOne, Home of the IMAX, in Trinidad and Tobago. The festival, hosted by Africa Film TT, is an extension of a platform that has been supporting filmmakers for over a decade. According to organisers, the Caribbean Film Festival is a “world-class destination film festival” with a mission to “ignite and energise the region’s film and multimedia industry, fuelling a fresh wave of film production and creative content throughout the Caribbean.”

Ripple Effect will be screened alongside films from countries including Panama, Guyana, and Jamaica. The selection was made by a team of seasoned critics, guided by an Advisory Board that includes Scott Sardinha, Cultural Attaché for Westbrook Pictures and the Will Smith Circle. Ripple Effect was directed by film student Malachi Jarrett and Samuel Jules, with executive production by Samuel Jules and Nandina Hislop. The crew primarily consisted of youth between the ages of 14 and 21, mentored under the Project I.D.E.A. Media Club.

Project Lead Nandina Hislop shares, “We are immensely proud of this selection as this successful short film was achieved with a minute budget, powered by immense assistance from the production company One Island Media. Over 90% of actors in the film were first-time performers, which is a testament to the raw talent on our island. We hope this selection will result in a surge of public and private sector investment into the local film industry and the Project I.D.E.A. Media Club.”

Director of the film Samuel Jules, adds, “The acceptance of Ripple Effect into the Caribbean Film Festival brings me immense pride—not just because of the dynamic team, including passionate teens who contributed to its success, but because it also highlights pressing social issues in our communities. I hope this latest development in the film’s journey encourages positive change, inspires greater interest in the art of cinematography among young people, and encourages more support and resources for these creative pursuits.”

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, the Hon. Rachel Taylor, also extended congratulations:

“This is a proud moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ripple Effect’s success on the regional stage highlights the incredible potential of our youth and the power of creative expression to tell our unique stories. I commend the Project I.D.E.A. Media Club, One Island Media, and all involved in this project for demonstrating what can be achieved through talent, mentorship, and perseverance. Initiatives like these are vital not only for building skills and confidence but also for providing positive pathways that steer our young people away from juvenile delinquency. The Ministry remains committed to supporting the growth of creative industries as key drivers of national development and youth empowerment.”

Ripple Effect has also been submitted for consideration to other Caribbean film festivals, including the Trinidad+Tobago Film Festival and the Bahamas Independent Film Festival, with hopes for continued success. For more information, email nehislop@gov.tc.

The Project I.D.E.A. Media Club is currently open for summer session applications. Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/c53uYaAaDb.

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

USA, September 21, 2024 – Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been charged with serious sex offenses from a 14-page indictment, accusing him of racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Mr. Combs, 54, was arrested on Monday evening, with allegations of running a criminal enterprise from at least 2008 that relied on drugs and violence to force women to “fulfill his sexual desires”, according to prosecutors. A New York federal judge remanded the musician in custody on Tuesday after prosecutors argued he was a “serious flight risk”.

If convicted on all three counts, the rapper and record producer faces a sentence of 15 years up to life in prison. Asked by US Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky how he wished to plead, Mr. Combs stood up and said: “not guilty”.

According to court documents, Mr. Combs “wielded the power” of his status to “lure female victims, to engage in extended sex acts” called “Freak Offs”. During Freak Offs, Combs distributed a variety of controlled substances to victims, in part to keep the victims “obedient and compliant,” the indictment said.

In a news briefing, US prosecutor Damian Williams said officials found firearms, ammunition and more than 1,000 bottles of lubricant during raids on Mr. Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles, about six months ago. Mr. Williams said federal agents also found three semi-automatic rifles with defaced serial numbers, and a drum magazine.

He told reporters that further charges were possible, without offering details.

Mr. Agnifilo, the musician’s lawyer, maintained, “there’s no coercion and no crime.”

“He’s not afraid of the charges,” he said, adding that he believed Mr. Combs was the target of “an unjust prosecution”.

In court documents, federal prosecutors said that Mr. Combs had “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct”.

Prosecutors accuse Mr. Combs of “creating a criminal enterprise” whose members – under his direction – engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson and bribery.

“On numerous occasions”, the documents said, Mr. Combs assaulted women by “striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at, and kicking them”.

The indictment did not specify how many women were alleged victims.

It also does not accuse Mr. Combs himself of engaging directly in unwanted sexual acts with women.

Last November, his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit against him that included graphic descriptions of violent abuse.

Sean “Diddy” Combs denied the accusations, but settled the case a day after it was filed.

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

USA, September 21, 2024 – Tito Jackson, who became famous as the guitarist alongside his famous brothers who made up the legendary music group Jackson 5, has died; his sons broke the news on Instagram.

“…Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” the statement read.

While there remains an investigation into what exactly led to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s death, friends of Jackson has shared that they believe he suffered a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.

In an update today, PennLive.com informs: “A statement released on Sept. 16 by the Gallup Police Department details the events leading up to Jackson’s death.

According to their statement, on Sept. 15, at approximately 6:17 p.m., a GPD officer was flagged down near the American Heritage Plaza after someone alerted them to an “individual requiring immediate medical attention.” The officer then requested an ambulance for the individual, who was later identified as Tito Jackson.

Tito Jackson was pronounced dead at hospital.

“This information is derived from a preliminary investigation that is still ongoing,” the release stated. “Investigators are actively interviewing witnesses and examining both physical and electronic records. The department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may evolve as additional evidence is gathered and analyzed.”

Jackson, who would have celebrated his birthday on October 15 was the third of the Jackson children; there were nine children in all including famous siblings Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson, “Tito” was 70 at the time of his death.