Grenada PM calls for the acceleration of the digital future of the region
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell is calling on the Caribbean to take advantage of the existing environment to reimagine and accelerate the digital future of the region.
“This gathering isn’t just a celebration of four decades of collaboration; it’s a moment to take stock of how far we’ve come and to ask bold questions about where we go next,” said Mitchell, who has lead responsibility within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) quasi- cabinet with responsibility for Science and Technology.
He told delegates attending the 40th annual conference of Trinidad-based Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO) that building a single CARICOM Information Communication and Technology (ICT) space will harmonise regulations, enable seamless data flows, and protect the region’s collective sovereignty.
“Only by speaking with one voice can we bridge fragmented markets and unlock the full promise of a gigabit enabled Caribbean,” he told the conference, which is being held under the theme “Towards a Unified and Sustainable Gigabit Society,” and ends on Thursday.
Mitchell urged heads of government, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to seize this milestone moment to reimagine and accelerate the digital future of the region, drawing upon on his dual responsibilities as Grenada’s head of government and CARICOM’s ICT leader.
He said Grenada’s national strategy spreads across five pillars – digital government, resilient infrastructure, secure digital identity, a thriving digital economy, and universal inclusion – indicating that progress in Grenada is inseparable from regional unity.
Mitchell also highlighted global digital trends and emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, 5G, and blockchain that are reshaping economies today and not tomorrow.
“The question is not if we will participate in this revolution, but how – and on whose terms,” he said, identifying urgent priorities such as ensuring satellite connectivity for disaster resilience, establishing a federated cloud that respects regional data laws, embedding trust through digital ID and fraud prevention, and embracing open Radio Access Networks (RAN) and interoperable 5G rollouts.
“Governments cannot deliver this transformation alone. The private sector must move beyond service provision to become genuine partners in policy, infrastructure investment, and inclusive growth. Your success is the success of our societies, and we must share responsibility for expanding access, sharing infrastructure, and upskilling our youth,” he said.
The conference has brought together more than 700 delegates from 52 countries and CANTO chairman, Dr. Delreo Newman, reminded the audience that the Port of Spain-based entity was not formed to watch the evolution of Caribbean telecommunications.
“We were born to lead it, from analog to AI, we have powered healthcare, commerce, and education across the region. But our work remains unfinished,” Newman said, noting that 15 million Caribbean citizens still lack mobile broadband, and four million households remain without fibre, even as regional data demand is projected to grow fivefold by 2030.
He said that four major global content platforms collectively generated more than US$11.5 billion in revenue from Caribbean users in 2024, yet their direct contribution to regional network investment remains limited.
He said that this imbalance must be addressed and reiterated CANTO’s view that digital infrastructure should be a shared responsibility among all who benefit from it.
Newman said CANTO will continue working with Caricom’s private-sector partners and regulators to advance balanced digital policy.
Chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, whose prewsaence marked the agency’s first official presence at CANTO since 2018, said “we are committed to working with our Caribbean partners to strengthen ties between our networks, our economies, and our people”.
Carr noted that telecom is at an inflection point due to AI, low-Earth orbit satellite broadband, and spectrum reform, pointing to how US investment in 5G and policy agility helped drive down broadband prices and expand service reach.
Carr also called for shared priorities — network security, spectrum harmonisation, and infrastructure expansion.
Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said that connectivity is not just about speed but about opportunity and resilience. “Connectivity is economic empowerment. It is societal resilience. It is saving lives,” she said adding that ”as the digital tide rises, let us make sure it lifts every island, every community, and every life”.
Bodan-Martin highlighted ITU support in the Caribbean, including school connectivity via Giga, digital ID systems, mobile financial services security, and emergency telecoms preparedness.
CANTO’s Secretary General, Teresa Wankin, urged delegates to treat the conference as both a forum and a catalyst.
“When you commit to CANTO, whether by attending, exhibiting, or sponsoring, you are not just showing up. You are joining a movement that is shaping the future of our region,” she said, highlighting a forward-looking agenda featuring AI-powered networks, federated cloud infrastructure, and fintech convergence.
Source-CMC
Trump sending weapons to Ukraine, threatens 'severe tariffs' against Russia if ceasefire deal not reached in 50 days
President Donald Trump threatened "severe tariffs" against Russia if a ceasefire deal isn't reached in 50 days over its war in Ukraine.
"We're very, very unhappy with them," Trump said of Russia during remarks in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday.
Trump also announced an agreement with NATO regarding weapons to assist Ukraine amid Russia's onslaught.
The announcement comes after Russia launched four missiles and 136 drones into Ukraine overnight into Monday morning, according to Ukraine's air force.
Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its forces downed 11 Ukrainian drones overnight into Monday morning.
Source-ABC
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and Questlove nominated for 2025 Emmys
With an Emmy already under his belt for the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show, Kendrick Lamar now has a chance to win another. His halftime performance at the 2025 Super Bowl received four nominations for the 77th Emmy Awards, which were announced Tuesday morning.
The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar earned a nod for outstanding music direction and will face Beyoncé's Beyoncé Bowl in the categories of outstanding variety special live, outstanding directing for a variety special and outstanding choreography for variety or reality programming.
Bey's Netflix documentary also received a nod for outstanding production design for a variety special; it has earned a total of four Emmys nominations.
Questlove follows behind with three nominations, including outstanding directing for a documentary/nonfiction for Ladies & Gentleman...50 Years of SNL Music. His documentary about Sly Stone, Sly Lives! (Aka The Burden of Black Genius), is up for outstanding documentary or nonfiction special, and SNL Music: The Homecoming Concert is nominated for outstanding music direction.
The 77th Emmy Awards will air live on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. It will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
Source- ABC
Gout dazzles in major
Australian sensation Gout Gout has taken another significant step in his trailblazing career by coasting to a dominant victory at a Diamond League meeting in Monaco on Friday.
Racing in an under-23 event at the prestigious track and field meet, the Queenslander maintained his unbeaten record in Europe when posting a sizzling 20.10 over 200m in his first ever run at a Diamond League event.
It followed an open age win at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike event last month, with the Ipswich Grammar student taking down in-form sprinters with big reputations when charging to the line in 20.02.
A year ago Gout said he was go-karting with mates when the Monaco meet was held. But now he is a big deal in athletics, with the eyes of the world on the dasher from downunder.
In now familiar fashion, Gout turned on the afterburners when rounding into the home straight to overtake South Africa’s Naeem Jack and then Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi.
“My top-end speed is my secret, so I’ve just got to focus on the first 100, first 50, and once I get out of that bend, I know I can run people down,” Gout told reporters after his second success from as many starts in Europe.
“So (I told myself to) stay relaxed, stay focused, and just power through.”
Adding lustre to the success of Gout, who has been likened to Usain Bolt given the trajectory of his times over 200m, the swift effort was recorded despite pushing into a strong head wind of -1.9m/s, which indicates he is capable of sizzling regardless of the conditions.
“I know there was a little headwind, but those are the things you’ve just got to compete against,” Gout said.
“Those are the things you can’t control, you’ve just got to go out there, and try your best, whatever the conditions are, you’ve just got to go out there and run.”
The international triumph is a positive for Gout as he builds towards representing Australia in a senior World Championships for the first time in Tokyo in early September.
Aside from his excellence in the individual pursuits, he shapes as a wildcard in the relay events, an area where Australia is aiming for big things given some promising results in the Paris Olympics last year and also at the World Relay Championships in China in 2025.
Source-BBC
Hiker dies on Grand Canyon trail amid extremely high summer temperatures
A 67-year-old man from Alvarado, Texas, died on the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon National Park while attempting to reach the Colorado River, according to the National Park Service.
The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the trail, below Cedar Ridge, on July 8, just before noon, according to NPS. Bystanders began CPR while National Park Service medical personnel and volunteers responded on foot, according to the NPS.
The man was attempting to reach the river for an overnight stay at Phantom Ranch, NPS said. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Source-ABC
Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Anguilla have been chosen to represent the Caribbean at this year’s Bolivarian Games.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has revealed that Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Anguilla have been chosen to represent the Caribbean at this year’s Bolivarian Games.
The 2025 Games, a regional multi-sport event held in honor of Simón Bolívar, and organized by the Bolivarian Sports Organization, is slated to be held from November 22 to December 7, 2025.
Speaking during an interview on WESN TV’s Face of Sports programme on Thursday, CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow explained that CWI had used a simple selection process to determine which teams would take part in the tournament.
“For the Bolivarian Games in November this year, we will have four teams from the Caribbean and the Pan Am Games are in 2027, but we haven’t quite finalised which teams are going to be present there, but the intention would be to have more teams.
“The four teams [for the Bolivarian Games] have been confirmed; Barbados, T&T, Jamaica and Anguilla,” Dr Shallow disclosed.
“Anguilla qualified because what we did, we picked the top four teams in the last Super 50 because we didn’t have a T20 [competition] and we couldn’t use the Breakout [League] because all of the players weren’t eligible for the Breakout.
“So, we used the last Super 50 tournament, the Leewards being included, but the Leewards recently had a T20 tournament and Anguilla was the champion, that’s how they qualified,” he explained.
Source-CMC
Beaches Turks and Caicos Ignites Hospitality Careers for over 100 Students with Enhanced Summer Internship Programme
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort recently launched its 2025 annual Summer Internship Programme, welcoming over 100 high school and college students from across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Over the next six weeks, these aspiring professionals will embark on a personalized and integrated experience, designed to advance their hospitality careers through hands-on experience and comprehensive exposure into the dynamic world of hospitality.
The programme kicked off on Monday, with interns assigned to various departments across the resort, including food and beverage, concierge, cost control, front office and public relations. They will work alongside seasoned departmental trainers and team members, learning standard operating procedures and receiving mentorship throughout their journey.
Focusing on the innovative outlook of this year’s programme, Human Resources Manager, Owenta Coleby, shared insights into the internship’s refined approach. “This year’s programme is designed to offer a more personalized experience – beginning with onboarding, where participants will be introduced to the company's training benefits. Interns will be more integrated into the work environment, allowing them to engage in daily activities alongside their colleagues.”
Coleby further highlighted the programme's commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging environment. “Forums for interns to share their experiences and provide feedback on how we can enhance the internship will be provided.
This approach aims to encourage interns to consider full-time positions upon the completion of the programme.”
Another standout addition to this year’s internship experience is the introduction of weekly soft-skills development sessions, spearheaded by the resort’s learning and development division. “We believe this is a great opportunity to add significant value to the training our interns will receive,” shared Phildreka Mayham, learning and development manager. “Not only will interns be trained in day-to-day operations, but they will also acquire essential life skills that is transferable across any industry they choose to pursue.” These sessions will cover a diverse range of topics, including personal branding, financial management, customer service excellence, resume development and interview skills.
Further enhancing the programme experience, a community service project has been integrated, led by the public relations team. “The Beaches brand is renowned for its commitment to giving back to the communities in which we operate,” Public Relations Manager Orville Morgan shared. “So we are passionate about exposing this year’s interns to our ongoing programmes and initiatives, and they will be tasked with participating in one of these projects, playing their part in corporate social responsibility.”
Managing Director James McAnally, expressed his enthusiasm for the programme’s evolution. “I am excited for this year’s programme and eager to witness the development of our interns over the next six weeks. This enhanced internship experience underscores Beaches Turks & Caicos’ dedication not only to providing invaluable career exposure but also to cultivating a pipeline of skilled professionals who may become integral members of the resort’s team in the future. By offering a hands-on, immersive experience combined with direct feedback channels, the programme will bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry demands, strengthening the hospitality sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands.”
Celebrating its 17th year, the resorts prestigious Summer Internship Programme has been a cornerstone in introducing local students to the world of hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Over 1500 locals have benefited from the programme, with many going on to secure full-time employment at Beaches and progressing to senior management positions within the resort. Others have charted diverse career paths, crediting the programme for fostering their early learning and growth, as affirmed by Sabrina Green who shared, “I’m proud to say I’m a Summer Internship Programme alum. What I received at Beaches was more than training. It was branding. It was a mindset. It encouraged me to set the bar high and to never settle for anything less than excellence. The experience provided professional grounding that eventually led to my appointment as chair of the Board of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands. I carried the Beaches ethos into every boardroom, every negotiation and every decision.”
The Beaches Summer Internship Programme remains a source of pride for the resort's community developmental mission, providing valuable opportunities for residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands to gain hands-on experience and learn new skills while enhancing their employability and contributions to the growth and success of their communities.
TCI Health Team enhances Regional Public Health Emergency Readiness At CARPHA Workshop In Jamaica
A team of senior health professionals from the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) recently returned from a critical regional training workshop aimed at strengthening the Caribbean’s capacity to respond to public health threats through advanced early warning and emergency response systems.
The four-member delegation – Mr. Andrico Garland (Chief Medical Technologist), Ms. Alrisa Gardiner (Primary Health Care Manager), Ms. Khris-Ann Lawson (Environmental Health Officer), and Ms. Natasha Robinson (Health Surveillance Officer) – represented the Ministry of Health and Human Services at the Regional Multisectoral Workshop hosted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) from July 8 to 11, 2025, in Kingston, Jamaica.
The training, under the theme Strengthening Emergency and Response (E&R) and Integrated Early Warning Systems (EWS), brought together over 60 health professionals from 11 CARPHA Member States. It focused on enhancing national preparedness, outbreak response, and real-time coordination through integrated early warning systems (EWS) and digital surveillance platforms tailored for the Caribbean context.
The workshop provided TCI’s health team with hands-on experience in using CARPHA’s digital surveillance tools, including the Tourism and Health Information System (THiS), and the Mass Gathering Syndromic Surveillance System (MGSS). These systems will be pivotal in improving the country’s ability to detect, respond to, and manage health threats, especially in high-risk environments such as tourism zones and during mass gatherings.
A key highlight was the introduction of the Timeliness Metrics Strategy – a new regional framework that enables countries to evaluate how swiftly they move from detecting a health threat to initiating a response. This strategy is crucial for small island nations like TCI where rapid action can prevent widespread outbreaks.
Through participation in the workshop, the TCI health delegation identified several critical areas to enhance the territory’s public health preparedness. Among these is the need to enhance the pandemic preparedness plan that will guide coordinated responses across different units within the health sector. The team also emphasized the importance of integrating sustainable early warning systems into TCI’s existing surveillance infrastructure, while recognizing the challenges that can arise from multisectoral coordination and data-sharing across agencies.
The delegation also noted the growing importance of mental health and recommended that psychological first aid and mental health preparedness be embedded into emergency response strategies. These insights will inform future planning and help ensure that TCI is better positioned to manage public health emergencies.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to incorporating these recommendations in to their work plan. Emphasis will be placed on securing additional resources to support detection infrastructure, building national resilience, and ensuring alignment with international health regulations.
This initiative forms part of CARPHA’s broader Pandemic Fund Project, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union, aimed at bolstering regional health security through prevention, preparedness, and response.
For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth.
Turks and Caicos Islands Strengthens Maritime Sector Through Participation in 2025 Red Ensign Group Conference
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) reaffirmed its commitment to maritime safety, governance, and international collaboration by actively participating in the 36th Red Ensign Group (REG) Conference, held in Guernsey from 23–26 June 2025.
The TCI delegation included Deputy Attorney General Khalila Astwood from the Attorney General’s Chambers, Senior Maritime Officer Trevor Williams from the Department of Maritime and Shipping, and Harbour Master Eric Cooper from the Ports Authority. Their participation underscored TCI’s engagement in strengthening its maritime administration and aligning with global best practices.
The REG Conference is a flagship annual gathering of maritime administrations from the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, and Overseas Territories. Delegates from all sixteen REG jurisdictions convened to address key developments and challenges in the global maritime sector.
Over four days, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions on areas critical to the operation of ship registries and maritime governance. Topics included:
Performance of the Red Ensign Group fleet
Compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions and evolving UK legislation
Developments under the International Labour Organization (ILO)
Integration of emerging maritime technologies
Strategic direction of the IMO Mandatory Instrument (Triple “I”/III Code)
Maritime accident investigations
Oversight and regulation of domestic shipping, including contributions from TCI and other Overseas Territories
Maritime security, resilience, and enforcement of sanctions
The sessions yielded several actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening maritime safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainable operations across the REG network. These outcomes will help reinforce each territory’s role as a flag, port, and coastal state, particularly important for TCI as it seeks to expand and modernise its maritime sector.
Statements from TCI Delegates
Deputy Attorney General Khalila Astwood emphasized the importance of legal frameworks in maritime development noting; “Attendance at this important conference is vital to the continued development of the maritime sector, particularly through enhanced compliance with IMO instruments. The event provides a valuable platform for deepening our understanding of legal obligations and promotes collaboration across regional and international administrations to improve maritime governance.”
Senior Maritime Officer Trevor Williams highlighted the impact of shared learning; “The conference is a powerful example of what collective effort can achieve. The knowledge exchanged and lessons learned allow us to tailor solutions to our unique maritime challenges, which is vital for our local economy. To grow our registry, we must stay ahead of innovations and learn from the experiences of fellow REG members.”
Harbour Master Eric Cooper underscored the value of collaboration; “The 2025 REG Conference was exceptionally insightful. The unwavering support from REG to its member administrations was evident in every session. The registrar workshops, in particular, showcased how collaboration and open dialogue are essential to overcoming challenges and identifying opportunities for growth.”
Since its inception in 1988, the REG Conference has evolved from a forum for registrars to harmonise procedures into a wide-ranging event addressing seafarer welfare, regulatory policy, and coastal preparedness—including search and rescue and environmental protection.
Hosted annually by a different member, the conference reflects the geographical diversity and shared purpose of the Red Ensign Group. REG members include the UK, Crown Dependencies (Guernsey, Jersey, and Isle of Man), and Overseas Territories (including TCI, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena). Delegates also attended from non-registry territories such as South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.
Through continued participation in REG, the Turks and Caicos Islands reaffirms its dedication to maritime excellence, international cooperation, and the sustainable growth of its shipping and port operations.
Kecha Delusma Chase Appointed as Deputy Chief Librarian
The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Kecha Delusma-Chase as the Deputy Chief Librarian within the Department of Library Services with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.
Since beginning her career with the Department of Library Services in 2015 as a Library Assistant, Mrs. Delusma-Chase has consistently demonstrated dedication to human development and lifelong learning. She earned an Associate's Degree in Computer Studies from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship (Second Class Honours) from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, completed in 2024, with support from the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service Professional Development Fund.
Mrs. Delusma-Chase's exceptional academic achievements were recognised in being awarded the prestigious Quida Rowe Prize for Most Outstanding Academic Performance in her final year of the Librarianship Programme.
In a continued effort to advance her education, Mrs. Delusma-Chase has been accepted into the Master's program in Library and Information Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.
Speaking on her new role, Mrs. Delusma-Chase said, "I am deeply honoured and grateful to be appointed Deputy Chief Librarian within the Library Department. This journey has instilled in me resilience and discipline and I am truly grateful to God for His guidance and strength in bringing me to this moment.
I extend my sincere appreciation to my family, mentors, and colleagues for their unwavering encouragement throughout my journey.
Deepest gratitude to my husband Dario Chase, whose steadfast support has been a pillar of strength during the most critical moments.
As Deputy Chief Librarian, I also want to highlight my initial concerns regarding the library's technical aspects in this rapidly evolving technological era. It is essential that we embrace innovation to ensure our library remains relevant and accessible to the community.
Guided by Mahatma Gandhi's words, 'Be the change you wish to see in the world', I am committed to challenging the misconception that libraries are obsolete and instead highlighting their essential role in our community's growth and development, particularly in fostering literacy and lifelong learning. I look forward to implementing new initiatives, strengthening library services and working collaboratively with my colleagues to enhance access to information and resources for all."
The Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams, in congratulatory remarks, said, "Congratulations are extended to Mrs. Delusma-Chase on her well-deserved appointment as Deputy Chief Librarian.
Throughout her career, she has exemplified a deep commitment to excellence and a passion for lifelong learning that resonates not only within the Library Services but also in her drive for excellence and success.
We are pleased to have been able to provide financial support for her academic studies from the TCIG Professional Development Fund and encourage other public servants to do the same.
We are certain that Mrs. Delusma-Chase's extensive knowledge and innovative spirit will undoubtedly lead to a transformative impact on our libraries, making them more accessible and engaging for everyone. I look forward to witnessing the positive changes she will bring and the inspiration she will provide to both her peers and our future generations.
Congratulations Ms. Delusma-Chase on your promotion.”