Ministry of Education Receives Tech Donation from the Shore Club and YPO Southern 7
The Shore Club, in partnership with the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) Southern 7 Chapter is proud to announce the donation of 26 computers (8 desktops and 8 laptops) to the Ministry of Education, Youth Sports and Culture. The generous contribution aims to support students learning by providing them with the resources needed to enhance their ICT skills.
In response to the donation, the Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel Taylor noted, ‘With the donation of these state-of-the-art computers, students will gain valuable opportunities to develop essential digital skills, conduct in-depth research, complete assignments efficiently, and engage in innovative learning activities. This technological upgrade will bridge the digital divide, ensuring that students have the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital world. Equipping students with reliable computers is not just about access to technology; it’s about unlocking their potential and preparing them for future academic and career pursuits. We are excited to see how this donation will inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and enhance educational outcomes across our community.”
Director of Education, Mr. Mark Garland further noted, “The donation of these computers will facilitate remote learning, support STEM education, and enable teachers to incorporate engaging digital resources into their curriculum. Overall, this contribution will help to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and empowerment for the next generation”.
The YPO Southern 7, one of the largest and most established chapters in the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) network with over 600 members, visited the Shore Club for a group event, and as a part of their community give-back programme spent $17,000.00 donating the computers. Their commitment to making a positive impact is reflected in this meaningful donation.
Karen Whit, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for the Hartling Group, proudly presented the computers to the Ministry of Education at a handing-over ceremony which took place on 21 July 2025. This initiative underscores the Hartling Group and YPO Southern 7’s shared dedication to supporting education and fostering community development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Standing Committees of Parliament meets the departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs
The Turks & Caicos Administration Committee is one of the Standing Committees of Parliament, established pursuant to section 64 of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution, Order 2011, and mandated with the responsibility for monitoring the conduct of the business of Government with responsibility assigned to a Minister or Ministers under section 36 (1).
According to Section 119 of the Standing Orders, further provides:
(1) An Administration Committee, constituted under section 64 of the Constitution charged with responsibility for monitoring the conduct of the business of Government, except in the matter referred to the Expenditure Committee.
(2) This Committee shall report on the implementation, administration and development of policies of Government in every Ministry.
(3) The Leader of the Opposition or his or her nominee shall be Chairperson of this Committee.
The Committee held its first meeting of the first session 2025/2026 on Wednesday, 16th - Friday, 18th July 2025 in the West Committee Room of the Parliament, Hon. N.J. S. Francis Building, Pond Street, Grand Turk.
At that meeting, the Committee focused its attention on Policy matters relating to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Religious Affairs and Transportation, District Administrations (North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay,) Department of Motor Vehicles, Registrar General, Department of Community Support and Engagement, Gender Affairs, Citizenship and Naturalization and Department of Family and Children Services.
The Committee also conducted a site visit to the Department of Citizenship and Naturalization to gain knowledge of its daily organizational operations.
A detailed report including findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Parliament during the First (1st) Sitting of the Ninth (9th) Meeting.
The Committee Membership Comprised of:
Hon. Kimbule A. Skippings – Chairman
Hon. Samuel E. Been - Member
Hon. Randy D. Howell – Member
Hon. Sharon A. Simons – Member
Hon. Tamell E. Seymour - Member
TCI Border Force Applies Relentless Pressure with $264,570 in Drug Seizures during Operation Transit Shed
The Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force has carried out two major drug seizures at one of the Transit Sheds as part of Operation Transit Sheds, an ongoing intelligence-led effort to combat drug trafficking.
On Wednesday, 16 July 2025, officers intercepted packages of suspected cannabis weighing approximately 21,865 grams with a street value of approximately $218,650 USD, followed by a second seizure on Thursday, 17 July 2025, involving suspected narcotics weighing 4,592 grams with a street value of $45,920 USD. The drugs were concealed in vacuum-sealed packages inside two boxes that drew suspicion due to unusual labelling and a strong detergent odour, believed to be an attempt to mask the scent of the cannabis.
These interdictions are the result of coordinated multi-agency operations and form part of a broader national strategy to disrupt the illegal importation of drugs into the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services, praised the success of the operations, saying, “The Border Force is cracking down on the importation of illegal drugs, and those involved will continue to feel our presence. We remain relentless in our mission to protect our borders and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The investigation is in collaboration with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and remains active, and further updates will be provided as appropriate.
The public is reminded that the illegal importation of controlled substances is a serious criminal offense, punishable by substantial fines and imprisonment upon conviction. Protecting our borders and safeguarding our communities remains a top priority for the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force.
TCI Recruits joined Forces with Royal Bermuda Regiment and Honoured for Outstanding Performance
As part of the National Security Council's commitment to investing in capability building, a contingent of 23 new recruits from the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment joined forces with the Royal Bermuda Regiment for a two-week summer training at Warwick Camp, Bermuda. This marked the first such collaboration between the two island nations, offering recruits a basic introduction to soldiering while strengthening regional defence cooperation. Several recruits from theTurks and Caicos Islands Regiment were recognised for exceptional performance during the joint training exercise including, Recruit Olivia Gravely who was named Best Recruit, while Recruit Ashanti Arthur received the award for Best Shot Overall. Recruit Othneil Parrish earned Second Best Shot and Second Best Recruit.
In addition, Section 1, which included TCI recruits, took home top honours for Best Drill, Best Sports, and Best Overall Section, while Section 3 was recognised for Best in the Assault Course. These achievements reflect the high calibre and preparedness of TCI’s Regiment’s newest members.
Before departing, the recruits were officially sent off by Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel- Selvaratnam and Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams, who both expressed pride in the Regiment’s development and their role in promoting national security.
The TCI team was led by Captain Francis Glinton and Captain Dixie Smith, and included three non- commissioned officers: Lance Corporal Ronica Ewing, Lance Corporal Anderson Raphael, and Corporal Tevar Patrick. These experienced officers were guiding and mentoring the recruits through the intensive training.Additionally, Bermuda’s Minister of National Security the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, and Acting Permanent Secretary Ms. Tarita Cartwright officially welcomed TCI’s Permanent Secretary Mr. Tito Lightbourne and Lt. Col. Ennis Grant, Commanding Officer of the TCI Regiment. The delegation toured Warwick Camp and the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard explored best practices in disaster response, maritime operations, and capacity building.
The training camp offered rigorous training in military fitness, weapon handling, map reading, first aid, discipline, and leadership. More than just drills, the camp fostered character development, team cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose.
Marine Kanisha Stubbs reflected on the lessons gained, stating: “The last two weeks reaffirmed how important teamwork is, in all its aspects: respect, leveraging strengths, clear communication, and strategic thinking. Strategic thinking and leveraging the strengths of my diverse team members were definitely two skills that I obtained.”
Fellow Marine Karen Barr added, “I’ve learned that real leadership isn’t about giving orders, it’s about setting the example. Whether it’s pushing through physical exhaustion during morning drills or staying focused when things get chaotic, I’ve realized that calm, consistent actions speak louder than words... Most of all, I’ve gained respect for structure, discipline, and teamwork.”
Recruit Oniel Ingham also noted the broader impact of the experience, saying: “This experience has likely deepened my appreciation for TCI's regional partnership by highlighting the importance of collaboration and teamwork in achieving common goals. Through various activities and exercises, I've probably gained a better understanding of the strengths and challenges faced by different regions and how they can work together to drive progress.”
These reflections underscore the personal growth and regional unity fostered through the camp. Captain Francis Glinton concluded, “We’ve had a strong relationship with Bermuda over the past five years, and we’re proud to be building on that. The training here is excellent, and we wanted our new marines to benefit from that standard while creating lasting memories.”
TURKS AND CAICOS DELEGATION ADVANCES NATIONAL ICT AGENDA AT 40TH ANNIVERSARY CANTO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Honourable Otis Morris, Minister for Public Safety and Utilities, led the Turks and Caicos Islands (“TCI”) delegation to the 40th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (“CANTO”), held from July 13th to 16th, 2025, in Nassau, The Bahamas. He was accompanied by senior officials of the Turks and Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission (“TCITC”), the statutory body responsible for regulating and guiding the development of the national telecommunications sector.
The delegation's participation in this high-level conference reaffirmed the Turks and Caicos Islands' commitment to regional collaboration and policy leadership in the information and communication technology (“ICT”) space. The Telecommunications Commission, as the primary regulator, plays a critical role in promoting digital transformation, ensuring fair competition, expanding infrastructure, and safeguarding consumer interests. Its presence at the conference underscored the importance of regional engagement in shaping resilient, future-ready telecommunications ecosystems.
At the conference, the delegation engaged in a series of bilateral and multilateral discussions aimed at enhancing TCI’s connectivity and regulatory frameworks. Strategic meetings were held with executives from FLOW and Digicel to discuss network expansion and improved service quality, while a pivotal engagement with Ookla, the global leader in broadband analytics, focused on leveraging network intelligence tools to map service disparities across the Islands.
The delegation also took part in technical forums and working sessions that explored best practices in spectrum management, cybersecurity, rural broadband access, and the development of smart infrastructure. These sessions provided valuable insight into how similarly positioned small island nations are navigating regulatory innovation, public-private partnerships, and digital inclusion.
This year’s CANTO conference, held under the theme “Towards a Unified and Sustainable Caribbean Gigabit Society, “convened more than 700 delegates from 52 countries. Among the keynote speakers were U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr and ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. They, along with the Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, emphasized the urgency of closing the regional digital divide and the need for harmonized digital policy.
Established in 1985, CANTO is the region’s premier ICT trade association, serving as a forum for governments, regulators, service providers, and innovators to work collaboratively toward a digitally connected Caribbean. The Turks and Caicos Islands, through the Telecommunications Commission, has long maintained an active and respected presence within CANTO, contributing to policy development and supporting efforts to enhance the digital capabilities of small island developing states.
Reflecting on the conference, Minister Morris remarked:
“Attending this milestone event was both an honour and a timely opportunity to collaborate with regional leaders on the future of telecommunications in the Caribbean. The insights gained on digital equity, investment, and innovation will directly support our mission to deliver future-ready, inclusive, and resilient ICT services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
He further praised the Telecommunications Commission for its continued leadership and proactive approach to modernizing TCI’s digital infrastructure. “The Commission has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the advancement of the sector, ensuring that Turks and Caicos remains at the forefront of digital transformation in the region,” Minister Morris stated.
The Turks and Caicos Islands delegation returned from the conference equipped with renewed perspectives, valuable partnerships, and practical tools to support the Government’s broader vision of a connected, competitive, and inclusive digital future.
CWI and Coca-Cola enter into two-year partnership
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a new, dynamic two-year partnership with globally renowned beverage brand Coca-Cola.
The collaboration will see Coca-Cola designated as the official soft drinks partner, while Powerade and Dasani water have been named CWI’s official hydration partners.
The partnership, secured through the Coca-Cola Caribbean System, took effect from June 24, 2025, just ahead of the men’s legs of the West Indies “Full Ah Energy” home series, which bowled off with the first Test Match between West Indies and Australia at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Dasani Water and Powerade will be provided for all CWI cricket operations, including youth and high-performance programmes.
In addition to hydration, Coca-Cola will take the lead on event and fan engagement, leveraging their global brand power to activate across CWI events, venues, broadcast, and digital platforms.
Cricket West Indies’ chief executive officer, Chris Dehring, spoke on the importance of such a partnership.
“Hydration plays a critical role in athlete performance, safety, and recovery, and ensuring consistent access to high-quality hydration solutions across all levels of cricket—from grassroots and age-group programmes to our elite men’s and women’s teams—is a top priority for CWI.
“This partnership ensures that the hydration needs of every player across the region are met, reinforcing our commitment to player welfare, preparation, and development,” Dehring said.
Vineet Singhal, vice-president of Franchise Operations Caribbean at the Coca-Cola Company, said he was looking forward to partnering with CWI.
“We are incredibly excited about this partnership with the CWI.
“Through Powerade and Dasani, we are bringing science-backed hydration solutions to players in the Caribbean, helping them to stay at their peak performance,” Singhal said.
Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands, has a long history of association with major global sporting properties, including cricket.
Most recently, the brand was a key sponsor of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which was co-hosted by the Caribbean and the USA.
Source-CMC
Dozens of Palestinians killed while seeking aid, Gaza health officials say
At least 73 Palestinians were killed on Sunday while trying to get access to food, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health. Another 150 people were injured, Gaza health officials said.
The majority of those killed were gathered near the Zikim border between Gaza and Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces said a review is ongoing. In a statement, it said that its troops fired near crowds "in order to remove an immediate threat posed to them," though it wasn't specific. The IDF added that it was aware of reports of casualties but said that a "preliminary review indicates that the reported number of casualties does not align with existing information."
Video from Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City shows numerous ambulances and donkey carts arriving at the hospital, filled with the injured and dead. The head of the hospital told Reuters in an interview, "The situation is catastrophic. We can no longer handle the influx of injuries, so we have started directing patients to other field hospitals. The situation is extremely bad and disastrous. There are so many dead and wounded, and we simply cannot treat them all."
Gaza's health ministry said in a statement Sunday that the region was heading toward an "unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe." According to the United Nations, at least 875 people have been killed in Gaza while trying to get food.
Source -
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, former 'Cosby Show' star, dead at 54
RTC's affiliate ABC is reporting that Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor perhaps best known for starring in the TV sitcom The Cosby Show as son Theodore "Theo" Huxtable, has died at 54.
Warner drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday, Costa Rican National Police told ABC News. Warner’s official cause of death was asphyxia, police said.
Warner died near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica, police said. Police said he was caught by a high current in the water and was discovered Sunday afternoon.
Warner was formally identified by Costa Rica’s national police.
Warner played Theo Huxtable for all eight seasons of the series, which ran from 1985 to 1992, receiving an Emmy nomination for the role.
Warner also starred with Eddie Griffin in the 1996-2000 sitcom Malcolm & Eddie and as Dr. Alex Reed in the BET sitcom Reed Between the Lines. He also appeared in guest roles on dozens of television shows over the years.
Warner most recently starred in the Fox medical drama The Resident for five of the show's six seasons.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates RTC89fm.
Source- ABC
Dozens of Palestinians killed while seeking aid, Gaza health officials say
The Department of Education extends heartfelt thanks to Sharks4Kids for once again bringing their engaging and impactful marine education programme Project Lemon Aid, to students across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Project Lemon Aid is a community-driven education and research initiative by Sharks4Kids, focused on enhancing marine science, shark conservation, and ocean literacy among students in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Supported by local partners like the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) and Big Blue Collective, the program provides engaging, hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world shark research.
A key feature of the initiative is allowing students to join scientists in the field to observe juvenile lemon sharks in their natural mangrove habitats. This year, the team hosted four field trips for 31 students and teachers from Clement Howell High School, British West Indies Collegiate, and A. Louise Garland High School. Participants engaged in measuring sharks, collecting DNA samples, and inserting PIT tags, while also learning about shark anatomy, mangrove ecology, and conservation.
One student, Keegan James, shared, “Seeing baby sharks changed my perspective. It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone.” “I had fun on this trip. We learned about multiple things, including various species of sharks. We also learned about the lemon sharks in TCI and how they affect the mangroves and the overall ecosystem. My experience has been overall a blast, and I thank you for the opportunity to experience this.” -Marcelle McDonald, Clement Howell High School.
During the spring 2025 trip, Sharks4Kids reached nearly 1,400 students across 11 schools and the Edward C. Garland Youth Centre, including 16 sessions at Enid Capron Primary School. The team also distributed 300 activity packets, 110 posters, 100 3D model sharks, and coloring pages to foster ongoing discussions about marine life.
““Our goal is to empower students with knowledge and spark a lifelong interest in science and conservation,” said Jillian Morris, Founder and President of Sharks4Kids. “By bringing shark science directly into classrooms and providing immersive field experiences, we show students that science is not only important—it’s exciting and accessible.”
Honourable Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, praised the continued collaboration, stating, “Partnerships like these offer transformative learning opportunities for our youth. They help bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, especially in the critical area of environmental stewardship.”
Special thanks to Ms. Simmons from the Ministry of Education for her assistance; our local partners: DECR, the Ministry of Education, and Big Blue Collective; our supporters, Save Our Seas Foundation, Rock the Ocean, and Sandals Foundation.
Superman holds power at the box office for second week at #1
Superman had another super weekend at the box office with a $57.3 million haul in its second week of release.
The James Gunn film, starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, has now made $235 million total domestically and $407 million worldwide.
Jurassic World: Rebirth held steady in the #2 spot with $23.4 million, while the weekend’s new releases I Know What You Did Last Summer and Smurfs came in third and fourth with $13 million and $11 million, respectively.
The weekend’s other new release, Eddington, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, landed at #7 with $4.3 million.
Here are the top 10 films at the box office this week:
1. Superman – $57.3 million
2. Jurassic Park: Rebirth – $23.4 million
3. I Know What You Did Last Summer – $13 million
4. Smurfs – $11 million
5. F1: The Movie – $9.6 million
6. How to Train Your Dragon – $5.4 million
7. Eddington – $4.3 million
8. Elio – $2 million
9. Lilo & Stitch – $1.5 million
10. 28 Years Later – $1.3 million
Source - ABC