News
Drought hits major shipping lane: Panama Canal
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#Panama, December 29, 2023 – El Nino didn’t slow down the hurricane season, but it did lessen rain in Panama, so much so that the Panama Canal is now having to reduce the number of vessels allowed to pass through it, increasing the possibility of grain shortages globally.
“To alleviate this freshwater scarcity, it would require an extreme storm, such as La Purisima in 2010, or a hurricane similar to Otto in 2016. However, such events are unpredictable and undesirable from other standpoints,” the Panama Canal team said, describing the extent of the drought.
The driest October on record, according to the team, has resulted in 41% less rainfall than usual, lowering Gatun Lake, which serves the canal, to unprecedented levels for this time of year. Reuters reports that now, US supplies are taking longer routes to avoid the backlog. It is being described by analysts as ‘unprecedented.’
Since October, every update from the press team has been about the desperate lack of water. The canal is fed by the Gatun Reservoir but because it’s not raining enough, the canal is outstripping the water flowing into the reservoir quickly.
So far, water from last year’s rainy season has been used to make up the difference. But with no rainy season to speak of this year, the Canal operators are worried about what will happen come 2024.
“With less than two months left until the end of the rainy season, the Canal and the country face the challenge of the upcoming dry season with a minimum water reserve that must guarantee supply for more than 50% of the population and, at the same time, maintain the operations of the interoceanic waterway” the canal staff explained on October 31.
Following this, on November 1, the average transits through the Canal were cut to 31 vessels per day, and going forward, reservations for passage will continue to drop until February 2024 when only 18 slots will be open per day for passage.
“These measures are in addition to those previously adopted to preserve freshwater resources and to ensure the safety of transit operations,” a press release explained.
The Board of Directors has since approached the government with requests to build another reservoir and says it is focused on finding long-term solutions.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – DAVANTE BRISCO, aged 30, the son of a senior female police officer of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, faces three charges:
- Robbery: Allegedly, Davante Brisco, along with accomplice FRENDY MERONE (already charged and appeared in court on Tuesday, April 16th), held up Wilson Alfred, robbing him at knifepoint of over $300.00 cash and a Samsung cellphone valued at
approximately $300.00. - Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority: Brisco and his accomplice allegedly took Wilson Alfred’s white Toyota motorcar (registration number 16697) and drove away without permission.
- Using Offensive Weapon to Cause Fear: It’s alleged that during the commission of the offenses, they used a knife to instill fear in the alleged victim.
The incident reportedly occurred near Clement Howell High School on Tumpa Avenue, Blue Hills, Providenciales, on Thursday, April 4th, 2024.
At the arraignment in the Magistrate’s Court before His Honor, Mr. Jolyon Hatmin, on Monday, May 13th, it was revealed that Brisco was granted $7,500.00 bail with certain conditions to follow.
His next court appearance (Supreme Court) is scheduled for July 5th, 2024, for a sufficiency hearing.
Brisco was represented by Mr. Ashwood Forbes, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions represented by Ms. Tassja Mitchell.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – On Monday, May 6th, 2024, five separate matters were presented before His Honor, Mr. Jolyon Hatmin, Chief Magistrate. Handling all cases was Ms. Enjaleek Dickerson, the public prosecutor.
- WATSON LOUIDOR (20 years old, Bay Road, Blue Hills, Providenciales):
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Pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance.
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Granted bail, with the matter adjourned to June 11th of the same year.
- MUSELIN MEDACIER (36 years old):
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Brought before the court by Immigration Officer R. Cartwright for possession of an irregular certificate.
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Pleaded guilty and the matter was transferred to the Grand Turk Magistrate Court.
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Scheduled to reappear before Acting Resident Magistrate Ms. Patricia Arana on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024. Remanded in custody.
- FINAL VALCORT (38 years old):
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Appeared from custody for offenses of obstruction and unlawful entry.
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Did not enter a plea, and the case was transferred to Ms. Patricia Arana for mention on Monday, May 13th, 2024.
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Investigating Immigration Officer: Mr. A. Jones.
- MARIO JAMES TAYLOR (24 years old, Five Cays):
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Did not enter a plea.
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Bail extended to Friday, May 10th for mention.
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Charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (A.O.A.B.H) by PC W. Clair.
- DARLY FRANCOIS (27 years old, Blue Hills, Providenciales):
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Bail extended to May 15th for the offense of common assault.
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Charged by Police Constable (PC) T. Stewart.
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Pleaded not guilty.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – At the funeral service for her late brother, RYAN MUSGROVE, who was allegedly murdered by beheading, Ms. Ethlyn Musgrove, aged 51, flew in from the United States of America (USA). While at the burial site, she alleged that she was sexually assaulted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).
Shortly after returning home, she reported the alleged sexual assault to the local police of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The police investigation, spanning from November 30, 2023 (the date of the alleged attack), to February 13, 2024 (the date the accused was charged), resulted in the arrest of JAMES STANLEY GODET, a 60-year-old TCI senior citizen.
He appeared before the Magistrate’s Court earlier this year and pleaded not guilty to the allegation.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution has arranged for the alleged victim, Ms. Musgrove, to return to the Turks and Caicos to testify before Her Honor The Resident Magistrate, Mrs. Oreika Selver Gardiner, in the trial scheduled to commence and run for two or more days between Monday, May 20th, and Tuesday, May 21st, 2024.
The defendant’s counsel is senior defense attorney Mr. Finbar Grant.
Magnetic Media will keep you updated on the outcome of this trial.
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