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PDM & Butch Stewert call Election Eve allegations BOGUS

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Providenciales, TCI, December 14, 2016 – Hours before the 2016 General Election polls open, the PDM Party and Butch Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resort International label a report charging that the two have struck some underhanded deal as ‘bogus.’

Among other things, the piece which has been circulating on social media says millions are owed in gratuities for hotel workers, that the lionshare is owed by Beaches Resort, that the SRI butchstewartChairman and PDM Leaders have agreed on floating work permits and that a group of other Provo hotel owners are caught up in the alleged arrangement.

The report suspiciously glorifies the PNP Administration which actually did not support Clarence Selver’s bill to pay gratuities; it exonerates Michael Misick and Oswald  Skippings as resisting SRI Boss, Butch Stewert and says the PDM received a plane load of money from Stewart.  Magnetic Media contacted Beaches today, the Resort denied the allegations and promised a formal refute.

The PDM tonight issued a statement…

The PNP in its last desperate attempt to salvage a dying lackluster campaign, has launched its party’s propaganda machine on the eve of elections.  We expected nothing less from this Progressive National Party that will go down in history as the most uncaring, out of touch, and ineffective Government our islands has ever experienced.

In April 2016, the Peoples Democratic Movement successfully brought a Private Members Motion to the House of Assembly asking for the reinstatement of 100% gratuity which was amended by the PNP Government in 2004 that allowed 40% of the gratuity paid by guest to be retained by the Hotel Resort. Members of this Rufus Ewing led PNP Government gave reason after reason why gratuity could not be reinstated. All Government Ministers abstained from voting for this motion and this included Hon. Rufus Ewing, Akierra Misick, Washington Missick, Portia Stubbs Smith, Norman Saunders, Ruth Blackman, and Hon. Donhue Gardiner.  This is a matter of public record. All 8 members of the opposition voted yes and the motion was carried.  The PNP Government refused to implement the motion.

According to PNP estimates, Beaches and other hospitality groups will have to pay over 43.7 million in undistributed gratuities to every employee over the last five years.  If this is true, Voters must ask themselves, why has the PNP Government allowed this amount to increase to such high levels these last four years? Voters must also ask themselves why did every PNP Government Minister abstaine from voting for the PDM’s Private Members Motion which purpose was to reinstate 100% gratuity?

As persons in the hospitality industry live paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet, this Rufus Ewing led PNP Government ignored the issue of 100% gratuity while simultaneously increasing taxes to generate revenue on the backs of our people. This PNP Government has failed the hospitality workers and voters on a whole these past four years.

We would like to remind voters that it is always the PNP Government that is known for selling out our people, and our Country to developers. This is the legacy of the PNP.

The PDM categorically denies receiving $350,000 from any developer. The PDM also categorically denies making any agreements to issue any floating work permits.  If any political party or independent candidate has any evidence of any of the 52 candidates receiving funds outside the guidelines stipulated by the Integrity Commission, they should report these activities to the Integrity Commission immediately.

We are focused on becoming your next Government and bringing about the positive change our Country so desperately needs.  We will not allow the slanderous attacks by our political opponents to distract us from this goal.

We encourage all our supporters to go to the polls early and vote PDM Straight Down. Vote for Change.

 

#MagneticMediaNews

#TCIGeneralElections

 

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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