PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
GENERAL SITUATION: A DEEP, LAYERED RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS WILL MAINTAIN STABLE AND WARM CONDITIONS TODAY ALONG WITH MODERATE TO LOCALLY FRESH BREEZES.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF MODERATE NORTHEAST TO EASTERLY SWELLS AND AN ELEVATED RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ESPECIALLY ALONG EASTERN SHORELINES.
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND A BIT BREEZY. FAIR AND MILD TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT DUE TO SWELLS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET NEARSHORE, 6 TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY TO EASTERLY SWELL OFFSHORE
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 81°F 27°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 73°F 23°C
SUNSET: 05:44 PM
NEXT LOW TIDE: 03:16 AM (0.7 FT)
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 08:56 PM (2.3 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: THE RIDGE WILL MOVE EASTWARD ACROSS THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC THROUGH MID-WEEK, AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT THAT WILL MOVE OFF OF FLORIDA’S COAST LATE TONIGHT AND ADVANCE DOWN THE BAHAMA ARCHIPELAGO. EXPECT COOLER TEMPERATURES AND SPOTTY SHOWERS IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS NEAR THE END OF THE WEEK.
FORECAST FOR TUESDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY BECOMING FAIR AND MILD TONIGHT.
WINDS: SOUTHEASTERLY AT 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING LIGHT AND VARIABLE (LESS THAN 5 KNOTS) AT NIGHT
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY TO EASTERLY SWELL
SUNRISE: 06:21 AM
SUNSET: 05:44 PM
LOW TIDE: 03:07 AM (0.3 FT) 04:02 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 09:36 AM (3.0 FT) 09:47 PM (2.3 FT)
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY BECOMING PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE IN THE EVENING.
WINDS: LIGHT AND VARIABLE (LESS THAN 5 KNOTS), BECOMING NORTHEASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
SUNRISE: 06:20 AM
SUNSET: 05:45 PM
LOW TIDE: 03:59 AM (0.3 FT) 04:48 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 10:23 AM (3.0 FT) 10:40 PM (2.3 FT)
FORECASTER: H.HAMILTON
Trump attends hearing in classified docs & more
Former President Donald Trump, as part of the special counsel's classified documents case against him, spent about four hours Monday at a hearing held in a secure facility due to the sensitive nature of the materials at issue in the case.
Trump's lawyers and lawyers for his co-defendants in the case will be back in court Tuesday for a second day of hearings.
Meanwhile, The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's Georgia election interference case says that it's "possible" misconduct allegations leveled against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis "could result in disqualification" if evidence shows she financially benefited from the case, and that a hearing on the matter will proceed as scheduled on Thursday.
Source-ABC
Three persons in Grand Turk by the Serious Crimes Unit
Detectives of the Serious Crimes Unit have arrested three persons in connection with the shooting death of 24 year old, Jockeem Missick that took place on Thursday February 8th.
The suspects, two men ages 18 and 21, have been arrested for murder, while a 55-year-old female has been arrested for conspiracy to commit murder.
The suspects reside in Grand Turk
and were detained during a policing operation on the morning February 10th.
Additionally, Authorities to Search two premises were executed.
Reports state that the Police Control Room had received a call of gunshots heard near the Parade Grounds, Grand Turk whilst students of the HJ Robinson high school were hosting sports.
Shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church: 2 injured, including a child
Off-duty officers responded as a woman began shooting inside pastor Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston on Sunday, killing the suspect, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said at a news conference.
A child was left in critical condition following the incident and a 57-year-old man was also shot in the leg, Finner said. Finner said the woman, between the ages of 30 and 35 years old, entered the Lakewood Church on the west side at approximately 1:53 p.m. local time. Finner says she was armed with a long rifle and was accompanied by a 5-year-old boy.
Finner said the 5-year-old was also shot and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. When asked if police shot the child, Finner said he didn't know but added, "If it was, unfortunately, and that female, that suspect, put that baby in danger, I'm gonna put that blame on her.”
Source-ABC
Chiefs rally past 49ers to take Super Bowl 58
The Kansas City Chiefs scored a comeback 25-22 overtime victory against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, February 11, and became the first team to win back-to-back NFL championships in 20 years.
The game -- one of the longest in NFL history -- ended regulation play in a tie, forcing overtime. After the 49ers' Jake Moody kicked a 27-yard field goal to put San Francisco ahead, the Chief's Mecole Hardman caught a 3-yard pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to clinch the walk-off victory.
After a slow first half, Mahomes bounced back, completing 34 of 46 passes for 333 yards with two touchdowns and ran for 66 yards rushing, on his way to being named Super Bowl MVP for the third time.
Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce finished with 93 yards on nine receptions.
Source- ABC
Eldery cruise passenger dies while docked at Grand Turk Cruise Port
An elderly female passenger aboard a Caribbean Princess cruise ship, which docked at the Grand Turk Cruise Port on Friday, passed away due to undisclosed health issues.
The New York resident had reportedly complained of not feeling well before her untimely death. It remains unclear whether she died while receiving medical treatment on the cruise ship. However, preliminary information suggests that the deceased had pre-existing medical conditions.
Authorities have not released specific details about the nature of the health issues or the circumstances surrounding the passenger's demise. The cruise ship operator and relevant authorities are likely to conduct an investigation to determine the cause of death.
Cruise lines typically have medical facilities and trained staff on board to handle such situations, but the specifics of this case are still under scrutiny.
The identity of the deceased has not been disclosed, respecting the privacy of the individual and her family. The cruise line is expected to cooperate with local authorities to provide necessary information and assistance.
Swizz Beatz says fans are "talking about the wrong" thing amid Usher, Alicia Keys Super Bowl moment
Usher's Super Bowl 58 halftime performance was jam-packed with memorable moments that had the internet talking.
Many called out the R&B crooner for the nearly 2 minutes he shared onstage with Alicia Keys when singing their 2004 hit, "My Boo," since they say he might've been a bit too touchy with Keys, who's married to producer Swizz Beatz.
But Swizz is setting the record straight that he feels no way about the performance; he in fact thinks it was "nothing but amazing."
"Y'all talking about the wrong damn thing!" Swizz wrote in his Instagram message, jokingly suggesting that the focus should be on Key's red bejeweled body suit and extended cape that covered "the entire stadium."
"Tonight's performance was nothing but amazing with 2 amazing Giants! Congrats @usher and my love @aliciakeys that song is a classic," the Grammy winner wrote.
"We don't do negative vibes on this side we make history," he added.
About four minutes into Usher's 15-minute set, he joined Keys at her red piano and got close to her with his dance moves. He followed behind as she walked up and down the stage and at one point, put his hand on her hip. They ended with Usher hugging Keys from the back; they both smiled and laughed before the next segment kicked off with the help of Jermaine Durpri.
Among the comments that circulated were "Personally I ain't letting this slide if I'm Swizz Beatz" and "It's never the best idea to allow Usher, get anywhere near your Gal."
Source-ABC
38-year-old Bahamian Arrested
A 38-year-old Bahamian man has been deported from the United States to The Bahamas for violating his bail conditions on the island.
Reports are that Larry Burrows, who was on bail for conspiracy to import firearms, had specific conditions set by the court, including reporting to the police station on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays before 6 pm, as well as observing a curfew from 8 pm to 6 am.
According to local law enforcement, Burrows allegedly breached these conditions in May by traveling to Andros, where his electronic monitoring device was discovered damaged in bushes.
It was later revealed that he had fled to the United States.
In September 2022, Burrows was apprehended by authorities in Miami for illegal entry into the US.
Following his arrest, Bahamian law enforcement collaborated with US personnel and subsequently, he was deported to The Bahamas on February 8th 2024.
Bajan Government defends introduction of concession legislation
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has defended the decision of her administration to table the Labour Clauses Concessions Bill, saying the government foregoes approximately BDS$750 million (One BDSS=US$0.50 cents) in revenue annually, as a result of tax concessions.
The bill, which is to be debated in the House of Assembly this week, seeks to establish minimum rates and conditions for workers, which companies benefiting from tax concessions should adhere to.
Speaking at a branch meeting of her ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Prime Minister Mottley said her government is simply legislating what has existed under the collective bargaining agreement with labour unions and hoteliers for the past 60 years.
She dismissed suggestions the legislation may act as a deterrent to foreign investors.
“Government revenue is coming at about BDS$3.2 billion. So if you are effectively giving away BDS$750 million. Some of these concessions go back to (prime ministers) Errol Barrow and Tom Adams time.
“So this is a continuum and all the government is saying that these are subsidies. A concession is a subsidy and if you are going to get a subsidy from the taxpayers and we are not going to be able to spend that money directly on the very same taxpayers then you have a duty to treat them fairly.”
Mottley said it was important to ensure that there is a minimum “below which you cannot go”.
She said Barbados is a country “where we have known what it is to have people be the source of people’s profits through exploitation. It cannot be acceptable in an independent Barbados for us to agree that any worker must now be able to fuel on by their…underpayment or under treatment, the competitiveness or the profitability of any hotel in this country.
“That is all the government is saying,” she told the party supporters.
The government is expected to easily pass the legislation controlling 29 of the 30 seats in the Parliament.
On Monday, former government legislator, Ralph Thorne was sworn in as Opposition leader after leaving the government.
Following his appointment he told reporters “people are instinctively opposing the government in the public domain…of the legislation it is bringing to Parliament from week to week”.
Source- CMC
GOVERNOR & PREMIER PROVIDES UPDATE ON RESPONSE TO CRIME
Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier condemn strongly the shooting incident on Grand Turk and extend their deepest condolences to the family and to the community. Such criminality near school children while they were at a school sports day is deplorable. A serious crime team has been deployed to Grand Turk and action is underway to conduct a community impact assessment, including work with school officials and the Ministry of Education to ensure the safety and security of our communities.
Strengthening of capability
The Governor and the Premier continue to work together closely to strengthen our operational and strategic response. In addition to the imminent deployment of experienced Firearms Officers from the United Kingdom announced on 03 February, and ahead of the arrival of the Commissioner Designate Mr. Edvin Martin (which, – due to a routine medical procedure and convalescence period – will now take place in May 2024), the Governor is making the following appointments to bolster the strategic operational expertise and focus of the RTCIPF:
• Mr Chris Eyre will be appointed as interim RTCIPF Acting Commissioner of Police effective this Monday 12 February. He has 37-years of experience as a police officer, including 18-years at Assistant Chief Constable rank and above. His final role in UK policing was as Chief Constable (Commissioner equivalent) of Nottinghamshire Police. During his career he has led the operational response to terrorist attacks, riots, major demonstrations, international criminal investigations and sensitive covert operations making him well placed to lead the RTCIPF during this interim period. In his last post, Mr Eyre led the British Overseas Territory Police Force in the Sovereign Base Area of Cyprus.
• Superintendent Mat Newton will be temporarily appointed to the Force Executive as an Assistant Commissioner of Police with specific responsibility for specialist tactical operations.
• Immediate work is being undertaken to recruit a Superintendent to assist policing in Grand Turk and ensure targeted oversight of community and policing operations.
This added capability will vitalise the RTCIPF’s strategic and tactical arsenal for policing across our islands and will ensure the full strength of the Force Executive leadership at Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner levels. The Governor and Premier express their sincere thanks to Acting Commissioner Adams and Acting Deputy Commissioner Grant for their continuing leadership of the RTCIPF during these challenging times.
The first of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office funded rapid deployment of firearms officers; investigative officers; a firearms commander; a firearms operations planner and a crime analyst will arrive this weekend. These officers will provide an immediate boost in tactical and investigative manpower. Parallel work is underway to secure further regional operational support and a targeted recruitment campaign is being launched to recruit permanent experienced firearms officers and investigators to the RTCIPF. This is in addition to the ongoing recruitment to ensure the full complement at each grade across the rank and file of the RTCIPF.
Commissioner Designate Martin remains committed to leading the RTCIPF. He is eager to arrive with his family to serve the Turks and Caicos Islands and deliver on his safety and security responsibilities for the nation. Over the past few weeks, he has been engaged with the Governor and regional colleagues in support of work to secure tactical operational support for the RTCIPF.
We appeal to everyone to help the RTCIPF with their investigations. Any piece of information – however insignificant it might seem – can be pivotal to bringing the perpetrators to justice and restoring calm to our neighbourhoods.
May God bless you and may God continue to bless the beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
Thank you.