Monaco Diamond League 200m showdown set for Friday
Trinidad and Tobago’s sprint star Jereem ‘the Drem’ Richards will face a stern test in the men’s 200m at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday, squaring off against American sprint sensation Noah Lyles in his first half-lap race of the 2025 season.
Lyles has been sidelined since April 19 after running a 45.87 in the 400m at the Tom Jones Memorial meet.
He later withdrew from the Adidas Atlanta City Games due to a “tight ankle,” raising questions about his fitness.
However, the Monaco event marks his highly anticipated return to the 200m, a distance he has dominated in the Diamond League since 2019.
But Lyles and Richards won’t have it easy. Waiting for them is the 2024 Paris Olympic champion, Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, who is in blistering form.
Tebogo stormed to victory at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic with a commanding 19.76, leaving the competition in his wake.
The Monaco Diamond League will also feature a strong Caribbean contingent across multiple disciplines. The women’s 100m will feature St. Lucia’s Olympic champion Julien Alfred and Jamaica’s sprint sisters Tia and Tina Clayton.
The High Jump will feature Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford and Raymond Richards.
The women’s 400m hurdles will include Jamaica’s Andrenette Knight, while the women’s 400m will see another Jamaican, Nickisha Pryce, looking to continue her strong season.
The men’s triple jump will have Jamaica’s Jordan Scott eyeing a podium finish, while the women’s 100m hurdles will have the likes of Bahamian world record holder Devynne Charlton and Jamaica’s Megan Tapper set for a fierce battle over the barriers.
Source-CMC
Odessa Forbes appointed as Director of Culture
The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Odessa Forbes as the Director of Culture within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.
Mrs. Forbes holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the American Intercontinental University, FL, a certificate in Business from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a certificate in Project Management through the University of the West Indies.
Bringing over 20 years of diverse leadership experience to her new role, Mrs. Forbes most recently served as Training Manager for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, where she led organisation-wide professional development and compliance training for over 400 officers and recruits. Her extensive experience also includes culture development through the leading initiatives that promote local heritage and community engagement, ensuring that cultural values are integrated into organisational practices and community programs within the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
Before assuming the Training Manager position, Mrs. Forbes served in the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for over a decade, rising through the ranks to become a Police Sergeant. Earlier in her career, she also gained valuable experience in the hospitality sector, working as a restaurant manager, where she developed strong operational, people management and customer engagement skills.
Speaking on her new role, Mrs Forbes said, “I am deeply honoured and excited to serve as the Director of Culture. This role offers a powerful opportunity to preserve, celebrate and share the rich cultural identity of the Turks and Caicos Islands, both at home and with the world. As our society continues to grow and diversify, it is more important than ever that our national values, traditions and stories remain visible, accessible and deeply rooted in our collective identity. I look forward to working with communities across the islands to ensure our culture continues to inspire pride, unity and innovation for future generations. I remain grateful for the encouragement of my family and mentors and I embrace this role with humility, vision and purpose.
In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H.E. Anya Williams said, “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mrs. Odessa Forbes on her appointment as our new Director of Culture.
The promotion and preservation of culture is extremely important to our islands, as it not only honours our rich heritage but also shapes the identity and values of our future generations.
We wish Mrs. Forbes well on her appointment as she works to chart a new path in advancing cultural development, fostering creative expression and in ensuring that the diverse traditions of our people continue to thrive and inspire.
Congratulations on your new appointment, Mrs. Forbes!”
Russia launches largest drone attack on Ukraine as Kyiv pushes US for air defense aid
Russia launched its largest drone attack of the war on Ukraine overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with 741 aerial attack vehicles used in the bombardment.
Ukraine's air force said in a post to Telegram that Russia launched 728 drones — a mix of attack drones and decoys — and 13 missiles into the country overnight, with the northwestern Volyn region and its city of Lutsk the main targets.
Zelenskyy said the "massive" attack represented "the highest number of aerial targets in a single day." The president framed the assault as another signal from Moscow that President Vladimir Putin is not invested in U.S.-led efforts to end the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.
Source- ABC
Wimbledon sorry over missed line calls
Wimbledon organisers have apologised after the electronic line-calling system on Centre Court was turned off in error and missed three calls in one game.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova said a game was 'stolen' from her after there was no 'out' call when a Sonay Kartal backhand went long in the first set of their fourth-round match.
The Russian stopped after seeing the ball go long, and chair umpire Nico Helwerth halted play.
The All England Club initially said the system was "deactivated on the point in question" because of "operator error".
A spokesperson said later on Sunday that, after further investigation, it was found that the technology was "deactivated in error on part of the server's side of the court for one game".
During that time, three calls on the affected side of the court were not picked up.
Helwerth - who did not know the system had been turned off - called two of them himself before the incident highlighted by Pavlyuchenkova.
"We have apologised to the players involved," a spokesperson for the All England Club said.
"We continue to have full confidence in the accuracy of the ball tracking technology.
"In this instance, there was a human error and as a consequence we have fully reviewed our processes and made the appropriate changes."
Source-BBC
Alcaraz fights back to overcome Andrey Rublev
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz produced an impressive fightback to overcome Andrey Rublev and set up a Wimbledon quarter-final against Britain's Cameron Norrie.
Alcaraz edged a step closer to becoming only the fifth man in the Open era to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles with a 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory over the Russian 14th seed under the Centre Court roof.
The 22-year-old Spaniard clinched his only break point in both the second and third sets to turn the match around, before a single break of serve again proved enough to end Rublev's admirable resistance in the fourth.
Alcaraz will face Norrie for a semi-final place after the British number three withstood a fightback from Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry to win in five sets.
On executing his comeback, world number two Alcaraz said in his on-court interview: "It is just about belief in yourself. It doesn't matter you are set down.
"Tennis can change in one point. One point can change a match completely. You have to stay there all the time, be strong mentally."
On meeting home favourite Norrie in the next round, he added: "Every time I can turn up on this beautiful court is a gift, so I have to make the most of it.
"It will be really difficult. Cam is playing great, I know him well. It will be interesting but I'm just excited about playing the quarter-final here."
Microsoft to cut up to 9,000 more jobs as it invests in AI
Microsoft has confirmed that it will lay off as many as 9,000 workers, in the technology giant's latest wave of job cuts this year.
The company said several divisions would be affected without specifying which ones but reports suggest that its Xbox video gaming unit will be hit.
Microsoft has set out plans to invest heavily in artificial intelligence (AI), and is spending $80bn (£68.6bn) in huge data centres to train AI models.
A spokesperson for the firm told the BBC: "We continue to implement organisational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace."
The cuts would equate to 4% of Microsoft's 228,000-strong global workforce.
Some video game projects have reportedly been affected by them.
According to an internal email seen by The Verge and gaming publication IGN, Microsoft has told gaming staff that the planned reboot of first-person shooter series Perfect Dark, along with another title, Everwild, will be cancelled.
The Initiative, a Microsoft-owned studio behind the Perfect Dark reboot, will also be shut down, the memo stated.
Job cuts have also affected staff across wider studios owned by Microsoft, including Forza Motorsport maker Turn 10 and Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios, according to employee posts on social media seen by the BBC.
Matt Firor, studio director of ZeniMax Online Studios, announced on Wednesday he would be leaving his position in July after more than 18 years at the studio.
"While I won't be working on the game anymore, I will be cheering you on and adding to the thousands of hours I've already spent in-game," said a post attributed to Mr Firor by ZeniMax on X.
Romero Games Ltd, an independent studio based in Galway, Ireland - co-founded by Doom developer John Romero - has also cut staff after funding for its game was axed by its publisher.
"These people are the best people I've ever worked with, and I'm sorry to say that our game and our studio were also affected," said Mr Romero in a post on X.
Microsoft has initiated three other rounds of redundancies so far in 2025, including in May when it said it would cut 6,000 roles.
An official database maintained by Washington state shows that more than 800 of the positions eliminated will be concentrated in the city of Redmond as well as in Bellevue, another Microsoft hub in its home state.
In recent years, like many other big technology firms, Microsoft has refocussed its business towards developing AI, including investing in data centres and chips.
Last year, the company hired British AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman to lead its new Microsoft AI division.
A top Microsoft executive recently told the BBC that the next half century will "fundamentally be defined by artificial intelligence,", changing the way we work and interact with one another.
Microsoft is also a major investor and shareholder in OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, although the relationship has reportedly grown tense in recent months.
Source -BBC
Unidentified Deceased Male Discovered in Grace Bay Area
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) informed RTC News that at 7AM on July 5th, 2025 officers of Force assisted by members of the public carried out a search in the community of Providenciales focusing on targeted areas.
Approximately 9:06 a.m. on Saturday, July 5th, 2025, while conducting the search operation in the Grace Bay area, one of the teams discovered the body of a deceased male in a decomposed state.
The discovery was made along Long Bay Road. The scene has been secured, and all appropriate partner agencies have been notified.
At present, the identity of the deceased has not been established. The RTCIPF will provide further updates as soon as the identification process is complete and the next of kin are informed.
Acting Commissioner of Police Mr. Rodney Adams on commenting on the discovery of the body, "We the police extend condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and ask that the public not speculate and await positive identification of the deceased.”
This matter remains under active investigation.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is appealing to anyone who may have information to contact 911 or the nearest Police Station. Information may also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS)
Male Charged in connection with Firearm and Ammunition Offences
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) has charged a male suspect in relation to the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, following a targeted police operation executed in the Five Cays area of Providenciales.
On Thursday, June 26, 2025, officers from the RTCIPF Serious Crime Unit conducted an intelligence-driven operation which led to the recovery of a handgun, a magazine, and eight rounds of 9mm ammunition. The successful recovery underscores the Force’s continued commitment to dismantling threats posed by illegal weapons within our communities.
As a result of the investigation, 19-year-old Keanu Tajay Wilson, of Sandbar Street, Five Cays, Providenciales, has been formally charged. Mr. Wilson is facing two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and one count of Unlawful Possession of Ammunition. He is currently in custody and is expected to appear before the Magistrates’ Court in the coming days to answer to these charges.
In response to the outcome of the operation, Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rodney Adams, stated; “Each firearm seized represents a significant step toward reducing the risk of gun-related harm to our citizens. I commend the officers for their vigilance and professionalism throughout this operation. The Force remains steadfast in its mission to ensure the safety of all residents, and I extend my gratitude to the public for their ongoing cooperation in supporting our efforts to maintain law and order.”
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force remains resolute in its mandate to uphold public safety and reduce violent crime. Community support and partnership continues to be a positive step in the right direction, and the Force encourages anyone with information related to illegal firearms or other suspicious activity to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or contact the nearest police station.
One Hundred and Ninety-One Irregular Migrants Detained
An illegal vessel transporting one hundred ninety-four (194) irregular migrants was intercepted on the evening of Saturday, 5 July 2025.
At approximately 9:57 pm, officers from the Marine Unit on board the vessels Sea Pursuit and Sea Contender were alerted to the presence of an unidentified vessel in the TCI waters by the Marine Operations Centre.
The 50-foot vessel, powered by two outboard engines, was located by the Marine Branch.
The illegal vessel was successfully intercepted, and following a head count, it was discovered to be transporting 194 individuals, comprising 156 males and 38 females.
In response, more units, including Tactical Officers and officers from our partner agency, Border Force, were deployed to assist.
Thanks to the quick coordination and effort of all responding units, the vessel was successfully docked, and all individuals on board were safely disembarked.
The irregular migrants were transported to the Detention Centre for processing.
The RTCIPF urges the public to notify the nearest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information regarding illegal entry into the TCI.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.
Search for missing continues after dozens killed in Texas flood
Donald Trump described the flooding as ‘terrible’ as emergency services search for dozens of missing children
A desperate search for dozens of campers including children continued into Sunday, after devastating floods killed at least 51 in Texas.
Four girls missing from a summer camp were found dead and were among at least 15 children killed in what Texas GOP Congressman Chip Roy called a “once-in-a-century flood.”
More than 850 people from around the region have been rescued or evacuated, officials said Saturday.
Two girls — 13-year-old Blair and 11-year-old Brooke — were among those killed by the floods, their father told CNN on Saturday night. Harber said Blair “was a gifted student and had a generous, kind heart,” and described Brooke as “like a light in any room, people gravitated to her”.
There are also 27 girls still missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River that was ravaged by the floods, officials said. At least four girls who attended Camp Mystic have been confirmed dead, according to reports, marking a tragic end to a day-long search.
The unexpected flash flooding struck on Friday after torrential rain along the Guadalupe River. The destructive force of the fast-rising waters just before dawn on Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles.
Sunday declared 'day of prayer' for Texas state
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared Sunday a “day of prayer” for Texas state as they mourn the loss of dozens of people in the catastrophic flash floods.
Authorities will work around the clock, Abbott vowed, adding that new areas were being searched as the water receded.
"I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines," he said in a statement.
Helicopters and drones used in frantic search
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice on Saturday gave an update on the status of the rescue efforts.
Search crews were facing harsh conditions while "looking in every possible location," Rice said.
Officials said more than 850 people had been rescued in the last 36 hours and there were heroic efforts at the camps to save children.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrived and pledged that the Trump administration would use all available resources. Coast Guard helicopters and planes were assisting to ensure operations can continue even in darkness.
One reunification center at an elementary school was mostly quiet after taking in hundreds of evacuees the day before.
"We still have people coming here looking for their loved ones. We've had a little success, but not much," said Bobby Templeton, superintendent of Ingram Independent School District.
An initial flood watch — which generally urges residents to be weather-aware — was issued by the local National Weather Service office at 1:18 p.m. Thursday.
It predicted between 5 to 7 inches (12.7 to 17.8 centimeters) of rain. Weather messaging from the office, urged people to move to higher ground and evacuate flood-prone areas in the early hours of Friday morning, said Jason Runyen, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service office.
At 4:03 a.m., the office issued an urgent warning that raised the potential of catastrophic damage and a severe threat to human life.
Jonathan Porter, the chief meteorologist at AccuWeather, a private weather forecasting company that uses National Weather Service data, said it appeared evacuations and other proactive measures could have been undertaken to reduce the risk of fatalities.
"People, businesses, and governments should take action based on Flash Flood Warnings that are issued, regardless of the rainfall amounts that have occurred or are forecast," Porter said in a statement.
Source- The Independent