Caribbean News

Felix Morley Community Centre Programmes Now Launched!

Published

2 years ago

November 2, 2023

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 2 November, 2023 – The Felix Morley Community Centre (FMCC), now under the management of the TCI Sports Commission, was built years ago, to provide a safe space with enriching activities to the Five Cays community. Due to extraneous variables, the FMCC has not been able to maximise its full purpose, which is being aspired towards with the launch of the new programmes.

On Thursday, October 26th, the FMCC Programmes Launch was held, where the new operations of the Community Centre and the slate of programmes and activities that will be available were revealed.

Programmes offered at the centre:

Dance – Ms Faith Bowens
Basketball – Mr. Philip Roker
Karate – Sensei Sandro
Rugby – Mr. Andrew Phillips
Youth Yoga – Mr. David Bowen
Boxing – Mr Jimkelly Joseph and Mr Gary Lightbourne

According to the Director of Sports Jarrett Forbes, “We made a commitment to the Minister, Hon Rachell Taylor, to bring to life, her vision for the centre…The greatest assurance of a wholesome environment for our youth is for the Community, as a village, to preserve what we have here today. The Sports Commission will be counting on the Community of Five Cays to help the Felix Morley Community Centre grow from strength to strength.”

These programmes are just the beginning as the Programmes team is formalizing plans and agreements with additional instructors who are willing to commit their time and expertise to the empowering of communities. As the centre continues to develop, activities for the elderly will come on stream, ranging from modified fitness programmes to social games. Over the coming nine to twelve months, plans are on the way to repair the gazebos along the beach; install a multi-sport artificial field; install a shaded kid’s playground; and develop a full courtyard.

The Sports Commission is pleased to partner with the Department of Youth, which will be delivering a slate of youth development programmes through the Computer Lab such as:

Computer classes
Literacy and numeracy
Toast Masters
Grooming Sessions with Ms. Alicia Swann

Among those present at the launch were the Governor Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selveratnam, Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Permanent Secretary Cheryl-Ann Jones, Director of Sports Jarrett Forbes, Deputy Director of Sports Alvin Parker and Director of Youth Jasmine Thomas. Refreshments and food were sponsored by Beaches Turks and Caicos.

H.E. Deputy Governor Anya Williams shared, “I want to commend the TCI Sports Commission for the work that they’ve done on this but also the Ministry of Education but in particularly the Minster of Education Hon Rachel Taylor who has taken this as a personal initiative. I would also like to thank everyone who’s been involved in the private sector.

“A lot of people ask “Why Five Cays?”, especially at a time right now when they know this community has had its share of challenges, particularly in terms of crime, but I say “Why not Five Cays?”. I believe that it is important for us to not run away from problems, but to go directly to them and try to develop solutions as to how we work to address them. I believe one of the best ways to address some of the challenges we are facing today with youth is to provide other opportunities and avenues for them to utilise their talents and skills and look at other programmes. This is a great opportunity not just for his constituency but for the entire Turks and Caicos Islands.

Hon. Rachel Taylor shared, “Today marks yet another milestone and testament to the widespread commitment to nurturing the potential of our young people. The credit for today lies not just with The Government but with our community known as the Turks and Caicos Islands”.

The assistance of donor Mr Thom Barnes has come in handy with fitting out the computer lab, for which he donated approximately $43,000. Hon. Taylor expressed, “I would like to take the opportunity as MP for the constituency, to say a special thanks to Mr Thom Barnes. I also want to say that in the community of Five Cays, we continue to grieve the loss of our young men. The intentionality of this centre is to address the concerns that we have. We believe if our young people tap into the opportunities now, we won’t have these challenges when they become adults. So, parents, the consistency of the programmes depends on you. As much as we want to build out the programmes, if we don’t have the children here we wouldn’t be able to offer such programmes.”

How to register for FMCC Programmes?

Registration forms can be found at the FMCC which is open daily. Once signed, the forms can be submitted to the Registration desk at the centre.

How to Book the FMCC?

If you would like to offer a programme, rooms at the centre can be rented at no cost. If there is anyone or a group who would like to reserve a room at the FMCC for a private event, this would be granted based on availability. The standard Sports Commission booking procedure would be followed which is to contact our Facilities Manager in Providenciales. Sports Commission usage rules and guidelines for visitors and participants at the Felix Morley Community Centre will be strictly enforced.

More information on reserving facilities can be found on the Sports Commission website: https://www.gov.tc/sports/venues/fees.

Caribbean News

Guyanese Scholar and Olympian Arrested in Iowa ICE Crackdown

Published

1 week ago

September 27, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

September 27, 2025 – In a shocking breach of public trust and institutional oversight, Ian Andre Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, who is a citizen of Guyana, was arrested on September 26 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a string of serious offenses that raise troubling questions about hiring practices, accountability, and public safety.

Roberts, born in Georgetown, Guyana, is a former Olympian and accomplished scholar. According to online reports, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Coppin State University after transferring from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where he played soccer. He holds two master’s degrees—from St. John’s University and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business—attended an Executive MBA program at MIT Sloan School of Management and earned a doctorate in education with a focus on urban educational leadership from Trident University.

Despite these accomplishments, Roberts was living and working without legal authorization. ICE reported that he fled a traffic stop and abandoned his school-issued vehicle. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly in possession of a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash. He also has a prior weapons-related charge.

ICE officials questioned how Roberts could hold such a prominent role while subject to a final deportation order issued in May 2024. The school district said they were unaware of his immigration status, noting that he had undergone background checks and completed an I-9 form confirming work authorization. Roberts was placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.

This case highlights vulnerabilities in systems meant to safeguard public institutions and underscores the challenges ICE faces in identifying individuals operating outside U.S. immigration laws while in positions of authority.

For many, Roberts has become a near-literal poster child for these enforcement gaps.

Caribbean News

Bermuda Shaken by Targeted Murder as Crime Returns After a Decade of Calm

Published

2 weeks ago

September 21, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Bermuda is reeling after the brazen murder of 37-year-old Janae Minors, a mother of two, who was gunned down in her own beauty supply store on Court Street, Pembroke. The attack, which police describe as “targeted,” has rattled the island, not only for its brutality but for what it says about the state of law and order in a country that less than a decade ago was celebrating a dramatic fall in violent crime.

The Attack on Court Street

According to police, at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, a lone gunman pulled up on a stolen black motorcycle, walked into the Beauty Monster shop Minors owned, and shot her multiple times. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to hospital.

Detectives say the killer was thin, tall, dressed in dark clothing with a full-face helmet, and wearing bright gloves. CCTV shows him fleeing north on Court Street, down Tills Hill toward TCD, before turning onto Marsh Folly Road. Investigators are pursuing all leads, with a focus on recovering evidence from nearby cameras and eyewitness accounts.

Police Commissioner Darrin Simons confirmed the attack bore the hallmarks of gang-related violence, a chilling indicator that Bermuda’s gang rivalries — long simmering beneath the surface — may once again be spilling into broad daylight.

A Vibrant Life Cut Short

Minors, remembered as a hardworking entrepreneur with “a vibrant, beautiful personality,” leaves behind two children, ages 16 and 18. Her murder has ignited outrage across Bermuda, not just for its senselessness but for its timing: the island had once prided itself on virtually stamping out gun violence.

Then: Near-Zero Murders

Back in 2014, Bermuda made international headlines for reporting zero firearm murders — a remarkable achievement given the small island had endured a spate of gang-related shootings in the early 2010s. Police credited intelligence-led operations, tighter firearms interdictions, and aggressive prosecutions of gang leaders. Community programs and mentoring initiatives also played a role, giving at-risk youth alternatives to gang life.

By 2015 and 2016, gun crime was at historic lows. That period was hailed as proof Bermuda could beat back the tide of violence with coordinated policing, social investment, and political will.

Now: Alarming Resurgence

Fast forward nine years, and the picture looks starkly different. In 2024 and 2025, Bermuda has recorded a rise in gun-related deaths. Rival gangs such as Parkside and 42 have resurged, fueled by a new generation of recruits. Economic pressures, high youth unemployment, and the easy flow of smuggled firearms through maritime routes have undermined earlier gains.

Community trust in the police has also eroded, making investigations harder and retaliations more likely. Opposition MPs and neighborhood leaders warn that without sustained focus, Bermuda risks sliding back into the violent cycles of the early 2010s.

Public Alarm and Political Pressure

Premier David Burt condemned Minors’ killing as “an escalation of community violence that cannot be tolerated,” promising stronger enforcement and deeper engagement with residents. The Bermuda Police Service has appealed for CCTV, dashcam, and doorbell footage from the area, urging residents that even the smallest detail could break the case.

Yet among the public, frustration is growing. People remember the calm of 2014 — when zero murders were recorded — and cannot understand how the island has returned to headlines dominated by gun violence. The contrast is stark: from celebrating the elimination of gun murders to confronting the targeted execution of a businesswoman in broad daylight.

A Test for Bermuda’s Future

The murder of Janae Minors has become more than a single case; it is now a symbol of Bermuda’s struggle to hold on to the progress it once made. The question facing the island is whether the successes of a decade ago can be replicated and sustained in today’s harsher climate of economic pressure and gang rivalries.

For Minors’ family, nothing can erase the tragedy of losing a mother and daughter so violently. But for Bermuda at large, her death is a wake-up call — that the island cannot afford complacency when it comes to crime.

As one community leader put it: “Nine years ago, we had beaten this. Now, we’re back to fearing what happens when the sun goes down. That is not the Bermuda we want to live in.”

Caribbean News

CARICOM-Africa Summit Yields Draft Pact on Trade, Travel and Reparations

Published

3 weeks ago

September 19, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Imagine an Atlantic Bridge connecting the Caribbean Region to the African Continent

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — When CARICOM leaders convened with African counterparts and Afreximbank officials in Ethiopia, the outcomes were savory and exactly what many Caribbean people want to see materialise as the islands become uniquely reconnected to the African continent.

At the Second CARICOM-Africa Summit, held at the African Union headquarters, leaders moved beyond symbolic language to agree on a draft communiqué that, if finalized, would anchor this partnership in practical action. While not yet officially published by the AU or CARICOM, the document points to an agenda that blends history with urgent twenty-first century priorities.

The draft outlines commitments to improve air and sea transport links, including the pursuit of a multilateral air services agreement to break down the barriers that still keep the Caribbean and Africa physically apart. It also calls for visa facilitation and simplified entry regimes, making it easier for citizens of both regions to travel, study, and work across the Atlantic.

Equally significant are pledges to advance double taxation treaties that could remove one of the most stubborn obstacles to investment. With Afreximbank’s Caribbean headquarters already established in Barbados and the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) gaining momentum, leaders now want to lock in the financial and legal frameworks that will drive new business.

Reparatory justice also featured prominently, with the draft communiqué sharpening a joint call for coordinated advocacy. CARICOM’s long-standing Reparations Commission is expected to work more closely with African institutions to demand global recognition and redress for the shared traumas of slavery and colonial exploitation.

CARICOM’s incoming chair, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis, captured the spirit of the gathering when he urged that the Atlantic Slave Trade be reimagined as an “Atlantic Bridge — a bridge of hope, a bridge of advancement, a bridge that will ensure our people take their rightful place in this world.”

For Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, the meeting was a “homecoming,” but also a reminder that concrete steps like the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC) and improved transportation links are needed to transform rhetoric into results.

For citizens back home, wrestling with inflation and economic uncertainty, the Addis outcomes — transport, visas, investment, health, and reparations — are precisely the kinds of measures that can validate leaders’ journeys and rekindle faith in South-South cooperation. What was once only rhetoric now hints at the beams of an Atlantic Bridge, connecting the Caribbean and Africa in ways that could finally turn history’s tragedy into tomorrow’s advantage.