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Russia-Ukraine war enters the second year

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

 

 

#Ukraine, February 28, 2023 – Exactly a year ago Vladimir Putin appeared on Russian television and announced that he was launching a ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine.   As the Russian Invasion enters its second year we look back on the ripple effects felt around the world.

Ukraine 

In the early weeks after the invasion residents began to flee en masse.  The crush included students from across the globe, expatriate workers and citizens.  Reports of racism against people of colour at the borders began to emerge. Neighbouring countries faithfully kept their borders open and people were allowed to leave as quickly as their legs could take them. Many walked hundreds of miles as cars ran out of gas and traffic made vehicular escape impossible. Behind them, the fighting began in earnest.

As of February 14th 8.1 million refugees have left the country, which is a crippling 20 per cent of the population lost. The UN says 21 thousand of civilians have been killed or injured so far.

Russia 

After the war began Russia was hit with sanctions left and right by the EU, the United States and their allies. Retailers, restaurant chains, tech companies, luxury goods stores and more pulled out of the country en masse. Russian athletes were blacklisted from sporting events including tennis and countries are calling for their athletes to be banned from the 2024 Olympics.

Censorship in the country has become increasingly harsh and the divide between those who support the war and those who don’t is a hard line with coworkers and schoolmates reportedly turning in others deemed as traitors or dissidents to the Kremlin (the government of the Russain Federation), resulting in long jail sentences for journalists and even teenagers. Russia is estimated to have lost as many as 60 thousand soldiers with 200 thousand wounded or dead.

Europe and the UK

A 3D-printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

At the beginning of the war after placing sanctions on the country and its oligarchs, Washington pushed for sanctions on its oil and energy, a tricky position for the EU which then bought the majority of its oil and gas from Russia.  After much infighting, the countries agreed to ban the purchase of certain Russian energy and promised to wean themselves off the stuff by the end of 2023.  Russia was quick to retaliate; it instituted a new law instructing all of the ‘unfriendly countries’ to pay for their oil in rubles, a move the EU described as blackmail. After that, citing pipeline issues it turned off the gas supply to several countries including Germany forcing them into crisis mode and prompting blackouts to preserve power as they scrambled to find new energy supplies.

In the UK gas prices reached record highs forcing the government to provide multimillion-dollar relief.

Africa 

The effects of the invasion on Africa are as varied as the countries on the continent.

Most African nations have refused to outright denounce the war as the conflicts in their own countries are relegated to the back page.

In North Africa where wheat produced in Russia and Ukraine is essential, the prices of bread basket items rose exponentially.  Areas like Ethiopia and Somalia saw 66 per cent and 36 per cent jumps respectively according to the UN, furthering a food crisis affecting millions with malnourished children dying daily.  In other parts of Africa, lucrative oil deals were signed as the EU struggled to keep the lights on.  Algeria, Senegal, Angola, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria all reached deals with the EU or specific countries to supply gas.

Most recently South Africa participated in a military drill with Russia and China that fell on the anniversary of the invasion.

The Caribbean 

With the fighting far away, the effects felt in the Caribbean were mostly economical.  With the supply chain in disarray, food prices shot up to extreme highs and oil prices followed; electricity bills caused panic.  Inflation driven by the conflict wrecked the purchasing power of Caribbean residents who already pay higher prices for goods and governments were forced to implement relief measures including stimulus cheques and price caps.

The UN warned that interest rate hikes implemented in the US, UK and other large economies to curb inflation would reverberate hardest in the Caribbean and other Small Island Developing States (which did nothing to slow them down).

Russia also took shots at some countries directly listing the Turks and Caicos and 10 other UK overseas territories as well as The Bahamas as ‘unfriendly territories’.

The US 

The US-Russia relationship has deteriorated significantly since the beginning of the conflict with the two countries declaring each other as enemies in everything but name. A tense prisoner exchange in late 2022 is as close as the two have gotten to publicly negotiating in the past year.

The country is Ukraine’s biggest patron sending billions and billions of dollars’ worth of weaponry and humanitarian aid to the country.

The war may drag on but the hope globally is that it will end soon as risks of further economic shock; and the displacement, assault and murder of innocents, loom on the horizon.

Government

Turks and Caicos Premier Delivers Banner Year Budget Amid Pressing National Challenges

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Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

 

Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2025 – Premier Charles Washington Misick has unveiled what is viewed as a “banner year” budget for the Turks and Caicos Islands, forecasting $549.5 million in revenue for the 2025/26 fiscal year.

The theme: “Building Prosperity & Securing Our Future,” signals a bold promise to transform the country’s infrastructure, improve public services, and confront pressing national issues—chief among them, a deepening housing crisis and escalating security threats.

Despite the ambitious tone and large allocations, critical questions remain about whether the budget sufficiently addresses the most urgent needs of the population.

Housing Crisis: A Priority or a Placeholder?

The Premier acknowledged the country’s housing deficit, which affects every island, but offered only broad strokes in terms of solutions. His government pledged to invest $23 million in Housing and Community Amenities, a figure that also includes spending on water distribution, treatment, and district administration.

Key initiatives include:

  • Designation of traditional communities as special development zones with targeted concessions.
  • Increased funding for home repairs, aiming to support vulnerable homeowners.

However, no new housing construction projects or large-scale development plans were announced. There is also a lack of detail on timelines or targets—such as how many homes will be built, rehabilitated, or made available through affordable programs.

Conclusion: The housing crisis is acknowledged, but the government’s response, as laid out in this budget, leans heavily on incremental measures rather than bold new solutions. For citizens facing overcrowding and unaffordable rent, the plan may feel underwhelming.

Crime and Security: A Tougher, Multi-Layered Response

Violent crime, particularly gang-related murders and transnational threats, has reached alarming levels in TCI. In response, the Premier announced a sweeping $106 million allocation for public order and safety—one of the largest single budgetary spends.

Highlights include:

  • $49.1 million for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF)
  • 76 new police recruits, plus the deployment of 42 tactical officers from Barbados and Jamaica
  • Expansion of mobile police stations and planning for new fixed stations, beginning in Providenciales
  • Investment in CCTV, gunshot detection, and community policing initiatives
  • 24/7 border patrol by Marine Police and increased aerial surveillance
  • Radar installations in four strategic coastal locations
  • Strengthening partnerships with UK, U.S., Bahamas, INTERPOL, and others

The government cites an 11% decrease in serious crime and a 17% reduction in murders during the first four months of 2025. These early results offer cautious optimism, though much of the security strategy is still unfolding.

Conclusion: On crime, the government is investing heavily and appears to have a coordinated plan, blending immediate response with longer-term capacity building. The emphasis on border control and regional collaboration signals a serious approach to transnational crime.

Revenue Strategy: No Major Tax Increases, Modest Adjustments

The budget outlines $549.5 million in projected revenue, sourced primarily from:

  • Accommodation Tax: $133.7 million
  • Import Duties: $132.4 million
  • Stamp Duty: $50 million
  • Work Permits: $50 million

To support this, the government is introducing subsistence-level new revenue measures, including:

  • $40 increase in vehicle license fees
  • An import license for large-scale alcohol and tobacco importers

Conclusion: The Premier’s fiscal strategy maintains public stability by avoiding new broad-based taxes while seeking modest new streams to boost revenue. This cautious approach aims to keep inflationary pressure in check while ensuring fiscal health.

Investing in the Future: Youth, Education, Health

The budget also directs funding toward:

  • Youth programs, particularly for at-risk youth, as part of a crime prevention strategy
  • Education and skills development, though exact figures were not detailed
  • Healthcare, with a commitment to better access and affordability

A unified vision to modernize public institutions, improve digital governance, and restore public trust is also part of the long-term reform agenda.

Conclusion: The Premier articulates a future-facing approach, though some sectors lack clear budgetary breakdowns. Education and healthcare are promised support, but housing and social safety nets may require deeper intervention.

Final Assessment: A Balanced but Incomplete Response

Premier Misick’s 2025/26 Budget presents an ambitious and well-funded plan to secure the nation’s future. Investments in security and border protection are decisive and immediate, while economic growth is forecast to continue under stable fiscal policy.

However, for a country in the midst of a housing crisis, the government’s response—while well-intentioned—may fall short of the scale required to meet the moment. Similarly, social challenges linked to crime, youth disengagement, and income inequality require not just infrastructure, but deeper systemic reform.

The Premier concluded his address with a promise to “build a Turks and Caicos that works for everyone.” Whether this budget is the foundation for that future—or merely a stepping stone—will be revealed in the months ahead.

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Caribbean News

Cabinet Approves Unemployment Insurance Benefit for NIS Contributors

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Kingston, Jamaica, May 17, 2025 – Cabinet has approved the introduction of the unemployment insurance benefit, which will be added to the suite of provisions under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The new benefit will serve as a guaranteed safety net for all employees who contribute to the NIS, except for self-employed persons.

Additionally, work is under way to establish the requisite legal and institutional frameworks to implement this important national support system.

“One of the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the urgent need for a system that supports workers who lose their jobs, helping them to remain financially stable while seeking re-employment,” Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 13).

Meanwhile, the Government has taken a decisive step to strengthen the nation’s social security framework by implementing the Social Protection for Increased Resilience and Opportunity (SPIRO), a US$20-million initiative supported by the World Bank.

Mr. Charles Jr. noted that SPIRO, which was launched last year, represents a transformative shift in social governance, with three strategic pillars – the creation of a unified Social Protection Information System (SPIS), supporting the introduction of unemployment insurance, and modernising of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

“The project is already generating impact through comprehensive assessments led by expert consultants, aimed at overhauling labour market services,” he stated.

The Minister further indicated that there will be upgrades to the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) and LMIS, which will enhance the digital infrastructure for employment services.

 

CONTACT: LATONYA LINTON

Release: JIS

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Government

Governor Calls for Bold, Community-Led Policing in Crime Fight

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Providenciales, TCI Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has issued a strong call for data-driven, intelligence-led and community-based policing to combat rising crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In remarks delivered at the recent swearing-in of Commissioner Fitz Bailey, the Governor underscored the urgent need for reform, accountability and strategic collaboration across agencies and borders.

“Our response to crime must be strategic, data-driven, intelligence-led and collaborative—across agencies, across borders and above all, with the communities we serve,” the Governor said, addressing law enforcement officers and regional dignitaries.

She warned that criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated, and that the TCI is at the “sharp end” of regional security threats. Against that backdrop, she outlined a vision for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force as an institution rooted in fairness, strengthened by public trust, and driven by results.

“We must be unforgiving in our zero-tolerance approach to misconduct,” she added. “Wearing the badge must continue to be a source of pride, not of power or privilege.”

Governor Selvaratnam praised Commissioner Bailey for his record of modern, community-focused leadership and said his appointment marked a critical moment for the country’s law enforcement strategy. While the ceremony took place two weeks ago, her words continue to resonate amid ongoing public concern about violent crime and border security.

Quoting from the Bible and invoking the moral arc of justice, the Governor emphasized that effective policing must be grounded in integrity, humility and service.

With regional police leaders from Jamaica and The Bahamas in attendance, the event signaled a united front against shared threats—and a new chapter in the push for a safer, more resilient Turks and Caicos Islands.

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