Female Victim Succumbs to injuries
MARJORIE GAUDARD ASTWOOD has succumbed to injuries following an incident on 17th September.
Ms. Astwood, 37, of Long Bay, was pronounced deceased on 25th September at 9:05 pm while receiving medical attention in the Cayman Islands.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force extends condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Astwood.
At approximately 7:30 a.m. on 17th September, the Police Control Room received reports of gunshots being heard in the Tower Drive area of Long Bay.
On arrival, police officers and Emergency Medical Services personnel discovered Ms. Astwood had sustained gunshot wounds to the upper body. She was transported for urgent medical treatment at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center then medevaced overseas.
Thus far, there remains no definite motive for the shooting.
Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed or has information about this incident to contact the
Serious Crimes Unit at 231-1842 or submit tips anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS).
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.
New digital ID will be mandatory to work in the UK
Digital ID will be mandatory in order to work in the UK, as part of plans to tackle illegal migration.
Sir Keir Starmer said the new digital ID scheme would make it tougher to work in the UK illegally and offer "countless benefits" to citizens, while his senior minister Darren Jones said it could be "the bedrock of the modern state".
However, opposition parties argued the proposals would not stop people crossing the Channel in small boats.
The prime minister set out his plans in a broader speech to a gathering of world leaders, in which he said it had been "too easy" for people to work illegally in the UK because the centre-left had been "squeamish" about saying things that were "clearly true".
Addressing the Global Progressive Action Conference in London - attended by politicians including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney - Sir Keir said it was time to "look ourselves in the mirror and recognise where we've allowed our parties to shy away from people's concerns".
"It is not compassionate left-wing politics to rely on labour that exploits foreign workers and undercuts fair wages," he said.
"The simple fact is that every nation needs to have control over its borders. We do need to know who is in our country."
In a conversation following his speech, Sir Keir said he wanted the next election to be an "open fight" between Labour and Reform UK.
In response to the prime minister's speech, Reform UK said the public was "waking up to the fact Starmer is just continuing the Tory legacy of high taxes and mass immigration".
Despite having only five MPs, Nigel Farage's Reform UK party has been leading in the opinion polls for several months.
The prime minister suggested facing the challenge of Reform would be a big focus when he addresses party members at the Labour Party conference next week.
Sir Keir's government has been under pressure to tackle the issue of illegal migration, with more than 50,000 migrants arriving on small boats since Labour came to power.
Announcing his plans for the new digital IDs, Sir Keir said the scheme would "make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure".
He added: "It will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly - rather than hunting around for an old utility bill."
Jones, who is the PM's chief secretary, said: "If we get this digital ID system working and the public being with us, that will be the bedrock of the modern state and will allow for really quite exciting public service reform in the future."
Another Labour prime minister, Sir Tony Blair, tried to introduce compulsory ID cards but the idea was scrapped by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition in 2010.
However, Sir Keir has recently said he believes the debate has "moved on in the last 20 years" as "we all carry a lot more digital ID now than we did".
Labour believes its new proposal has public support, although more than a million people have signed a petition against the idea.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the plan would "do nothing to stop the boats" but would "end up being used against law-abiding citizens while crooks walk free".
She also expressed concern about the security of the data saying it would be a risk to put the information "in one database".
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party would "fight tooth and nail" against the scheme which would "add to our tax bills and bureaucracy, whilst doing next to nothing to tackle channel crossings".
Source- BBC
Officers Graduate From Regional Epidemiology Training
The Ministry of Health and Human Services proudly celebrates the graduation of four members of the National Epidemiology and Research Unit (NERU), who successfully completed the Caribbean Regional Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (CR-FELTP) – Level II.
The graduates are:
· Ms. Sasha Walrond – National Epidemiologist
· Ms. Kendra Malcolm – Deputy National Epidemiologist
· Ms. Daisylyn Chin – Biostatistician
· Ms. Natasha Robinson – Health Surveillance Officer
The officers officially graduated during a hybrid ceremony held on Friday, 19th September 2025, at the Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre.
The CR-FELTP Level II programme, implemented by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), is an 8-month advanced training initiative designed to strengthen epidemiology, surveillance, and laboratory capacity across the region. The programme was funded by the Pandemic Fund, with CARPHA as the Executing Agency and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the Implementing Entity.
Over the course of 8-months, the four NERU officers participated in 9 intensive online sessions and a five-day in-person workshop in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in February 2025. The workshop provided advanced training in outbreak investigation, surveillance, and data analysis using specialised tools such as R statistical software. Through this training, participants honed their skills in interpreting surveillance data and applying evidence-based decision-making to public health challenges.
Turks and Caicos Islands was one of five CARPHA Member States represented in this cohort, alongside the Bahamas, Grenada, Guyana, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Commenting on this significant achievement, Hon. Minister of Health and Human Services, Kyle Knowles stated: “This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for the department and by extension the Ministry of Health and Human Services, as it expands the country’s pool of trained public health professionals. This will strengthen TCI’s capacity to monitor disease trends, rapidly detect and respond to outbreaks, and inform policy through high-quality epidemiological data.”
NERU remains committed to fostering professional growth within its team and advancing evidence-based public health practice in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Environmental Health Department Investigating Bottled Water Complaint In South Caicos
The Environmental Health Department (EHD) is currently investigating a complaint concerning bottled water branded as Gericó Water, which was imported aboard the Dominican vessel Don Augustin P that arrived in South Caicos on September 17, 2025.
The complaint, which reported a foul odor emanating from the product, has been assessed and found to have merit. According to the vessel’s cargo manifest, a total of 1,200 cases of Gericó Water were imported. At this time, the Department cannot confirm how many of these cases may be affected.
As a precautionary measure, EHD is advising all residents of South Caicos who purchased Gericó Water from the vessel to immediately discontinue use if a foul odor is detected and bring the product directly to the Environmental Health Department Office in South Caicos.
To determine the extent of the issue, the department will be collecting random samples from the affected inventory for testing at the National Public Health Laboratory.
The EHD remains committed to safeguarding public health and will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
Additionally, the department wishes to clarify that an advisory currently circulating via WhatsApp in South Caicos was not authorized for release. The message was an internal draft prepared for review that was inappropriately shared while the investigation is still ongoing. Official statements issued by the Environmental Health Department, such as this press release, are the only verified sources of information.
For additional information or guidance, please contact the Environmental Health Department at 338-6231 / 338-2143 / 338-2144.
Tropical Wave to effect TCI from today
Tropical Wave to effect TCI from today. No effects from Tropical Storm Humberto at this time.
The Tropical Wave is currently in the region of The Central Caribbean Sea.
This wave is expected to continue producing a large area of disorganized showers, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across portions of the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands today.
An area of low pressure is expected to form along the wave tonight or early Friday when it moves near the southeast Bahamas.
This low is expected to become a tropical depression when it is in the vicinity of the central and northwest Bahamas in a couple of days.
Interests in The Turks and Caicos Islands, The Dominican Republic, Haiti and The Bahamas should monitor the progress of this system as heavy rains and gusty winds are likely across these regions regardless of development.
T&T humbled by South Africa to remain winless at World Youth Cup
Trinidad and Tobago slumped to their third straight defeat in the Netball World Youth Cup when they were trounced 105-15 by South Africa here on Monday.
Competing in the 18th match of the tournament, South Africa took control of the contest from the opening whistle against the lesser ranked opponents.
South Africa’s dominant defence forced multiple turnovers, as they relentlessly hunted every ball and converted their opportunities with precision.
They quickly rushed out to a 15-0 lead before T&T finally got on the scoresheet after nine minutes of play.
By the end of the first period, South Africa held a comfortable 26-3 lead and at halftime they had stretched their advantage to 43 (50-7).
Despite holding a substantial lead, South Africa still kept their feet on the gas and produced an outstanding defensive display in the third quarter that prevented T&T from scoring a single goal, while netting 27 goals of their own to increase their advantage to 77-7 heading into the final quarter.
T&T had their best offensive performance of the match in the fourth quarter, netting eight goals, but by then the match was long over, with South Africa adding a further 28 goals to their tally.
Source-CMC
Rihanna is now a mom of three.
The singer and Fenty Beauty founder has welcomed a baby girl with her longtime partner A$AP Rocky. Rocki Irish Meyers was born on Sept. 13, according to a post Rih shared to Instagram Wednesday.
This is Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's third child together.
A$AP Rocky confirmed the news of Rihanna's pregnancy with their third child in May at the 2025 Met Gala.
"It feels amazing, you know," A$AP Rocky told reporters after they congratulated him following media reports that the couple was expecting their third child, according to The Associated Press. "It's time that we show the people what we was cooking up, and I'm glad everybody's happy for us, 'cause we definitely happy, you know?"
Rihanna also stepped out at the Met Gala that night wearing a pin-striped ensemble that showed off her pregnancy.
The duo are also parents to sons Rza and Riot. The couple welcomed Rza in May 2022 and Riot in 2023.
In an interview with Vogue in April, A$AP Rocky said of his son RZA, "The older one, he stays to himself -- he likes his books."
Of his younger son Riot, the rapper added, "He likes to take stuff from his brother so his brother can chase him.
Source-ABC
TROPICAL SYSTEM EXPECTED TO AFFECT TCI LATE THIS WEEK
This is an update from The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies as at September 24, 2025 at 12:00 pm
The tropical wave, designated Invest 94L, is expected to move west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph, into the southwestern Atlantic and near the Turks and Caicos Islands by late Thursday.
The system has a low (30%) chance of formation within the next 48 hours and a high (80%) chance within the next 7 days.
Latest model guidance indicate that Invest 94L will likely impact the Turks and Caicos Islands as a strong tropical wave. However, there remains the potential for development into a tropical depression or tropical storm in the vicinity of the Turks and Caicos Islands or the southeastern/central Bahamas.
What to Expect
The Turks and Caicos Islands should expect a few days of unsettled weather (i.e., periods of showers and thunderstorm activity, rough seas) beginning Thursday evening and continuing into the weekend.
HAZARDS DETAILS RISK AREAS
Winds 10-12 knots All Islands
Rainfall/Flooding 2-4 Inches All Islands
Storm Surge N/A N/A
Seas 5-8 feet Atlantic Exposures
There are no watches, warnings or advisories at this time.
The TCI Meteorology Department will continue to monitor and provide updates.
Prepare for possible adverse weather conditions later this week and plan accordingly.
Continue making Hurricane preparations. We are still in the peak of the Hurricane season.
Follow The TCI National Weather Service and DDME to stay updated
Demon Slayer slays box office for second week at #1
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is still slaying it at the box office.
The anime film fended off competitors to remain at #1 in its second week, adding an additional $17.3 million, according to Box Office Mojo. It previously debuted in the top spot with $70 million.
The football-themed horror movie Him, produced by Jordan Peele, was the weekend's highest-grossing new release, coming it at #2 with $13.5 million.
Another horror film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, took #3 with $12.95 million. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and The Long Walk rounded out the top five, each with $6.3 million.
Here are the top 10 films at the box office:
1. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle - $17.3 million
2. Him - $13.5 million
3. The Conjuring: Last Rites - $12.95 million
4. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - $6.3 million
5. The Long Walk - $6.3 million
6. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey - $3.5 million
7. The Senior - $2.773 million
8. Toy Story - $1.4 million
9. Sight & Sound Presents: NOAH Live - $1.386 million
10. Weapons - $1.26 million
Source- ABC
Charlie Kirk memorial held Sunday
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk's memorial service took place on Sunday, little more than a week after his murder sent shockwaves through American politics.
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and many top administration officials spoke at the event, which was held at State Farm Stadium in Arizona and drew tens of thousands of mourners.
Kirk, 31, founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and rose to become one of the most prominent conservative voices in the country. His influence, particularly with young people, helped propel Trump to office. But some of his comments on gun violence, LGBTQ issues, race and more often drew criticism from liberals and others.
Source- ABC