Two Day Weather Forecast
FORECAST FOR TUESDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND BREEZY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE. MOSTLY FAIR WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE AT NIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION WILL COME INTO EFFECT.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS: 5 TO 7 FEET
SUNRISE: 06:11 AM
SUNSET: 05:51 PM
LOW TIDE: 04:06 AM (1.0 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 10:08 AM (2.3 FT)
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND BREEZE WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE. FAIR AND MILD AT NIGHT.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS: 5 TO 7 FEET
SUNRISE: 06:10 AM
SUNSET: 05:52 PM
LOW TIDE: 04:48 AM (1.0 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 10:42 AM (2.3 FT)
FORECASTER: H. HAMILTON
3-DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST FEBRUARY 21st-23rd, 2024
GENERAL SITUATION: A cold front will continue to spark some light shower activity over the Turks and Caicos Islands today as it makes its exit later this evening, leaving fair and cool conditions in its wake. Meanwhile, a distant low-pressure system, associated with the departing cold front, will generate swells across the chain of islands today through tonight.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS, ELEVATED SEAS, AND ROUGH SURF, ESPECIALLY ALONG ATLANTIC COASTLINES.
WEATHER: Partly sunny and mild with isolated showers possible. Mostly fair and cool at night.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION WILL BE IN EFFECT TONIGHT.
WINDS: Northwest to North at 5 to 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots
SEAS: 2 to 4 feet nearshore building up to 5 to 7 feet offshore by tonight
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 77°F
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 70°F
SUNSET: 5:48 PM
NEXT LOW TIDE: 12:49 PM
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 06:24 PM
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: The low pressure north of the forecast area will continue to move northward and away from the forecast area. High pressure will build across the islands supporting fair and stable weather conditions for the next two days.
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: Partly to mostly sunny and mild. Mostly fair and cool at night.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT.
WINDS: Northwest to North at 10 to 15 knots, shifting to Northeasterly at 5 to 10 knots at night
SEAS: 5 to 7 feet in Northerly to Northeasterly swells
SUNRISE: 06:15 AM
SUNSET: 05:49 PM
LOW TIDE: 12:30 AM 01:31 PM
HIGH TIDE: 07:02 AM 07:11 PM
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY
WEATHER: Partly to mostly sunny and mild. Fair and cool at night.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT CAUTION WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT.
WINDS: Northeast to east at 5 to 10 knots, becoming Southeasterly at 10 to 15 knots
SEAS: 5 to 7 feet in Northerly to Northeasterly swells
SUNRISE: 06:14 AM
SUNSET: 05:49 PM
LOW TIDE: 01:18 AM 02:09 PM
HIGH TIDE: 07:45 AM 07:55 PM
Premier delivers State of the State to the Nation
In a comprehensive State of the State Address delivered on Monday, February 19th, 2024, Premier Honourable Charles Washington Misick presented the government's ambitious vision for the future, highlighting significant achievements and outlining a course for continued progress and prosperity. The tagline of the plan is "more in 24," which implies that the government will achieve more in 2024.
The Premier addressed a diverse audience of government officials, business leaders, and citizens, emphasizing the importance of unity and resilience in the face of challenges while highlighting the collective success of his government.
During his speech, Premier Misick focused on several key themes, including:
- Global Engagement
- Healthcare and well-being
- Environmental Sustainability
- Safety and Security
- Crown Lands
- Informal Settlements Unit
- Housing
- Credit Unions
- Infrastructure
- Water
- Immigration/Labor
- Digital Government
- The National ID
- Poverty Alleviation
- Vision 2040
- Constitutional Advancement
- Education
Premier Misick called upon all citizens to embrace the spirit of unity and collaboration, urging them to actively participate in the nation's journey towards a brighter future.
The Annual State of the State Address was a testament to the government's unwavering commitment to serving the people's interests and building a more prosperous and inclusive society.
Click here to re-watch Premier Misick’s 2024 State of the State Address: https://youtu.be/h_nMz2XpOaE or visit the RTC podcast page on any platform or on www.rtc89fm.com to listen to it again.
Ten Employees receives certificates from TCI Border Force
On February 14th, 2024, ten dedicated employees from TCI's Border Force proudly received their certificates, marking the successful conclusion of the Supervisory Management course offered by the University of the West Indies (Global Campus).
This transformative three-month program has equipped these employees with indispensable skills and knowledge essential for excelling in supervisory roles within the organization.
The Supervisory Management course, designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the management functions that supervisors must undertake, emphasizes solid theoretical foundations and practical applications.
During the course, participants received a thorough introduction to the techniques and skills fundamental to project planning and management, decision-making, ethics, collaboration, and effective leadership.
Border Force extends heartfelt congratulations to Assistant Director Throy Forbes, Senior Officers; Sandra Hall, Brandy Garland, Glodeeka Moultrie, Marie-Belle Williams, Deardrea Dames, Cerise Pierre, and Officers; Kathia Rock, Joylene Handfield, and Marylee Wilson for their outstanding achievement.
These individuals, who hold senior positions or play vital roles in supporting unit leads, have demonstrated commendable commitment to professional development.
Commenting on this achievement, Hon. Arlington Musgrove; Minister of Immigration and Border Services states “I am immensely proud to congratulate the officers who have completed the Supervisory Management course. Equipped with enhanced supervisory skills, they are now better positioned to lead, collaborate, and make informed decisions crucial to the security of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Investing in our employees is an investment in the success and resilience of Border Force and the Turks and Caicos Islands." End quote
And also on this same course, I would like to congratulate my colleagues at Radio Turks and Caicos for completing the UWI Supervisory Management course as well.
Those persons are Arnisiqua Selver, Vaughn Hinds, and Jermaro Hamilton.
We would like to congratulate all of you for taking this step in professional development and wish you well in your roles! Congratulations!
Egypt is building a wall near its border with the Gaza Strip
Egypt is building a wall and is leveling land near its border with the Gaza Strip ahead of a planned Israeli offensive targeting the border city of Rafah, satellite images analyzed Friday by The Associated Press show.
Egypt, which has not publicly acknowledged the construction, repeatedly has warned Israel not to forcibly expel the more than 1 million displaced Palestinians now in Rafah into its territory while Israeli troops battle the militant group Hamas for a fifth month.
Israel's defense minister said Friday that Israel has “no intention” of pushing Palestinian civilians across the border into Egypt. However, the preparations on the Egyptian side of the border in the Sinai Peninsula suggested that Cairo is preparing for such a mass ejection, a scenario that could threaten a 1979 peace deal with Israel that's been a linchpin for regional security.
The satellite images, taken Thursday by Maxar Technologies, show ongoing construction on the wall, which sits along the Sheikh Zuweid-Rafah Road some 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) west of the border with Gaza. The images show cranes, trucks and what appear to be precast concrete barriers being set up along the road.
Those satellite images correspond to features seen in a video released by the London-based Sinai Foundation for Human Rights on Feb. 12. The video shows a crane lifting concrete walls into place along the road.
The construction “is intended to create a high-security gated and isolated area near the borders with the Gaza Strip, in preparation for the reception of Palestinian refugees in the case of (a) mass exodus,” the foundation said.
Haiti launches investigation into the deaths of 16 individuals
Authorities in Haiti are launching an investigation into the deaths of 16 individuals whose bodies were discovered at a residence in the mountain town of Sequin, located in the southern part of the country.
The unsettling discovery came just a day after the family had attended a funeral.
Jude Pierre Michel Lafontant, the top official in Haiti’s South East Department, confirmed that law enforcement officials and health authorities had been deployed to the area to initiate a thorough investigation into the incident.
Authorities are diligently working to ascertain the cause of death and gather crucial evidence that may shed light on the tragic events that unfolded.
Despite the prevailing atmosphere of gang violence that has gripped Haiti, particularly following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, authorities have not yet connected these deaths to the rampant gang activity plaguing the nation.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos completes $8.5bn share sale plan
Multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos has sold another 14 million Amazon shares, worth around $2.4bn (£1.9bn).
The latest sale brings the total number of shares he has sold in the firm over the last nine trading days to about 50 million, with a value of around $8.5bn.
The tech giant had previously said Mr Bezos would sell up to 50 million shares by the end of January 2025.
His sales of Amazon stock come after they have risen by more than 76% in the past year.
Mr Bezos, who is the firm's founder and executive chair, had previously last sold Amazon shares in 2021.
He has also given away shares in Amazon as part of his philanthropy, most recently in 2022.
As Mr Bezos moved to Miami in Florida from Seattle in Washington last year, he will save almost $600m in tax on the $8.5bn worth of stock he has sold.
Gains above $250,000 from the sale of shares or other long-term investments are taxed at 7% in Washington state. Florida does not have state taxes on incomes or capital gains.
However, he will still be liable to federal taxes as a result of selling the shares.
When Mr Bezos announced his move to Florida it prompted speculation over whether it was because of a potential tax bill he would have faced in Washington after the state approved a new tax on large stock sales.
Mr Bezos said in November that his parents had recently moved back to Miami where he spent some of his childhood and that he wanted to be close to them and to his Blue Origin space project, which was "increasingly shifting to Cape Canaveral".
"Lauren and I love Miami," he wrote on Instagram, referring to his fiancée Lauren Sánchez.
"For all that, I'm planning to return to Miami, leaving the Pacific Northwest," he added.
Mr Bezos remains Amazon's biggest shareholder and is one of the richest people in the world, with an estimated fortune of more than $190bn.
Ministry of Health partners with United Kingdom to assess health needs
The Ministry of Health and Human Services has partnered with a team from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Public Health Programme to conduct a health needs assessment for communities in informal settlements throughout the TCI.
This project was funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and has taken place through a series of consultations and meetings in order to assess health needs and propose recommendations to address gaps in access to health care.
A steering committee supported the preliminary discussions on developing the scope and direction for the assessment and included representation from the TCI in the persons of, Dr Dawn O’Sullivan, Dr Camelia Clarke (Director, Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit), Aldora Robinson (Former Director, Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit) and Dr Nadia Astwood (Chief Medical Officer).
This project culminated in an in-country visit.
The visit, which began on January 21st, 2024, and concluded this week, saw several in-person consultations with key stakeholders across sectors, as well as community focus groups conducted in Providenciales and Grand Turk.
Following the visit, the team paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Shaun D Malcolm, and the Executive Team from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, to provide a high-level debrief and presentation of the preliminary findings of the assessment.
Following further analysis of the findings of the visit, a final report will be submitted to the Ministry of Health which will provide some conclusions as well as evidence-based recommendations for consideration by the Government.
Xbox games coming to Nintendo Switch and PS5 named
Four games that were formerly exclusive to Microsoft will soon be available on rival consoles.
Hi-Fi Rush and pirate game Sea of Thieves are coming to Sony's PS5 only.
Meanwhile, the narrative adventure game Pentiment and the co-op game Grounded will be on PS5 as well as Nintendo Switch.
It follows Microsoft's announcement in February that four Xbox exclusives would soon appear on rival platforms, in what some considered a major change of direction for the industry,
Until now, it had not been known what those titles were.
Two of the games were revealed on Wednesday in a Nintendo Direct, an online showcase for the firm before Microsoft confirmed the full list in a blog post.
"These multiplayer titles available will bring more people together and continue to grow their communities of players," said the head of Xbox game studios Matt Booty.
Neil Watton, editor of TheXboxHub, said fans would not be too surprised by the names of the games that were chosen to appear on other consoles, after several weeks of rumors.
"It's those jumping into Grounded and Sea of Thieves who will ultimately be rewarded, with full cross-play across platforms building the player base immediately on launch in April," he told the BBC.
"When you consider the depth of the cooperative play found in those titles, the moves make complete and utter sense."
Several other upcoming titles for the Nintendo Switch were also revealed during Nintendo's event, including a new Endless Ocean game, Monster Hunter Stories, and a remake of the 2010 Disney hit Epic Mickey.
Viewers were also surprised by the developers of the 2017 hit, Sonic Mania, unexpectedly announcing their latest game.
Penny's Big Breakaway, made by Evening Star, is a platform game with a distinctively 1990s look.
"I think the 3D platformer genre at the moment is actually in a bit of a renaissance", the developer's director Christian Whitehead told the BBC.
"There's a lot to choose from, even just on Steam and Nintendo Switch", he added.
Source-BBC
TCIFA’s partners with Carlisle Supplies
On Tuesday, the Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association, or TCIFA informed RTC Sports about a new partnership with Carlisle Supplies.
As a proud community member, Carlisle Supplies recognizes the importance of investing in initiatives that contribute to the growth and well-being of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The TCIFA grassroots football development program plays a pivotal role in nurturing young talent, fostering sportsmanship, and instilling valuable life skills in the youth of Turks and Caicos. Carlisle Supplies is thrilled to be associated with the grassroots program of Providenciales and believes in the power of sports to bring communities together.
"We are incredibly proud to support the TCIFA grassroots football development program," said Pierre Magnier, Managing Director of Carlisle Supplies. "As a dedicated member of the community, we understand the significance of empowering the younger generation through sports. The TCIFA is an integral part of the local community, and we are honored to contribute to its mission of promoting football at the grassroots level."
This collaboration underscores our mutual commitment to fostering youth sports, developing talented young athletes, and promoting healthy lifestyles among youth in our community. By supporting the TCIFA grassroots football development program, Carlisle Supplies aims to inspire the next generation of athletes and contribute to the overall well-being of the Turks and Caicos community.
TCIFA General Secretary Oliver Smith also shared his thoughts, “I want to express my gratitude for the sponsorship provided by Carlisle Supplies. This sponsorship helps our association purchase player kits and equipment for developing players and sends a message to the players that the community believes in them and their talents and is willing to invest in them. Therefore, I thank Carlisle Supplies for their generous support and belief in our youth.”
Carlisle Supplies is a Providenciales-based distribution company of electrical, plumbing, lighting, appliance, and water purification products, with a strong focus on community engagement, Carlisle Supplies actively participates in initiatives that contribute to the well-being and development of the Turks & Caicos youth.