Survey and Mapping Department Kicks Off Enterprise GIS and Geo Database Restructuring Initiative
The Department of Survey and Mapping has officially kicked off a transformative initiative to modernise the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s spatial data infrastructure through the development of an Enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS) and the restructuring of its geo-database. This project is being led by Acting Director Mr. Demarco Williams in collaboration with Spatial Innovation Ltd., the consulting firm engaged to deploy the ArcGIS Enterprise Solution. This transformative project aims to enhance data sharing and collaboration among government departments, ultimately improving service delivery to the community.
From June 16-20, 2025, the project team, including consultants from Spatial Innovation Ltd. conducted a fact-finding and needs assessment mission. The purpose of this initial mission was to assess the current IT infrastructure, existing GIS workflows, data management practices, and institutional capacity for spatial data governance. The assessment also focused on identifying interdepartmental data needs, integration opportunities, and priorities for system design.
During the mission, consultations were held with over 12 key government departments, including Land Registry, Crown Land Unit, Department of Environment & Coastal Resource, Planning Department, Department of Statistics, and others. These engagements provided valuable insight into the existing challenges and opportunities for improved collaboration, data sharing, and spatial analysis across government functions.
“Geographical Information Systems technology has the potential to revolutionise how we operate as a government,” said Acting Director Demarco Williams. “By restructuring our geo database and creating an enterprise GIS, we are laying the groundwork for improved decision-making, resource allocation, and service delivery. This initiative will benefit not only government agencies but also the communities we serve.”
Once implemented, the new Enterprise GIS will serve as a centralised platform for storing, analysing, and sharing geospatial data across ministries and departments, enabling government departments to make data-driven decisions that enhance operational efficiency and transparency. By fostering collaboration and data sharing, the initiative aims to break down silos and promote a more integrated approach to governance. Key benefits will include enhanced data accessibility, increased inter-agency collaboration, streamlined operations, and improved transparency in land and infrastructure planning.
The Department of Survey and Mapping looks forward to continuing engagement with stakeholders as the project progresses into its design and deployment phases. This initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to modern digital governance and data-driven decision-making for the sustainable development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Sheba Wilson Appointed to Financial Services Board Of Commissioners
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has announced the appointment of Ms Sheba Wilson as a Commissioner on the Financial Services Commission Board of Directors.
This was granted based on an expressions of interest and in accordance with Section 5(1) of the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2007,
Ms Wilson is a Strategic Human Resources Executive with over 14 years experience in driving organisational change and culture transformation, workforce planning and strategic HR policy development. She currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Grace Bay Resorts and earlier in her career worked in roles at the Belize Bank TCI Ltd and International Banking Group.
Commenting on Ms Wilson’s appointment, the Governor said:
‘I am pleased to appoint Ms. Sheba Wilson as a Commissioner (non-executive director) on the Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission. Ms. Wilson brings a strong track record in workforce transformation, organisational development and strategic leadership. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the Commission undertakes organisational reforms to strengthen its governance and better meet the growing expectations of the financial services sector. I am confident that Ms. Wilson’s expertise will contribute meaningfully to the Commission’s efforts to build institutional capacity, enhance regulatory effectiveness and support the sustainable growth of the financial services industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands.’
The Financial Services Commission will be hosting its annual Industry Stakeholders Day on Friday June 27, 2025 to provide a key opportunity for dialogue and collaboration on the future of the sector.
RTC News will have more on this in a later newscast.
Alleged assessment wrong and leaked, according to White House
US media are reporting that an initial assessment produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency says US strikes on Iran only set back its nuclear programme by a few months.
In a post on social media, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, says: "This alleged 'assessment' is flat-out wrong and was classified as 'top secret' but was still leaked to CNN by an anonymous, low-level loser in the intelligence community.
"The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program.
"Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000 pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration."
The BBC's US partner, CBS News, reports that a source familiar with the assessment has confirmed to them that a preliminary assessment indicates the strikes set back the programme by months, and did not obliterate the facilities.
The source says the assessment indicates strikes on the Fordo facility caved in the entrances but that the enrichment infrastructure buried further underground remains largely intact.
They also appear to contradict Leavitt's claim about the quality of the assessment, saying such preliminary assessments tend to hold up.
Source-BBC
White House to hold a classified briefing with Congress on Friday
The White House has scheduled a classified briefing with Congress on Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said, following days of frustration over Trump's decision to order strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities without congressional approval.
"Senior administration officials will present the latest information pertaining to the situation involving Israel and Iran," Johnson wrote on X.
The confirmation from Johnson comes after a classified briefing scheduled for Tuesday with members of the Senate was abruptly cancelled earlier today, sparking outrage among Democrats.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the postponement "outrageous", "evasive" and "derelict".
Lawmakers in both parties have accused Trump of an abuse of powers by directly involving the US in attacks on Iran without congressional approval.
However, Johnson and a majority of Republicans have mostly backed Trump's decision, pointing to past presidents from both parties who engaged in foreign conflict without the okay from Congress.
Source-BBC
Prosecutors rest their case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs after calling 34 witnesses
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday rested their case in the sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs.
“At this time, subject to confirming all of the government records are accurate in the record, the government rests,” prosecutor Emily Johnson said.
Calling 34 witnesses over the last 28 days of testimony and introducing hundreds of pieces of evidence, prosecutors are trying to prove the onetime titan of hip-hop used his wealth and clout to coerce and manipulate women into unwanted and unconventional sex for his personal gratification.
In a sweeping racketeering case that threatens to send Combs to prison for life if he's convicted, the rap mogul is charged with using his business empire and personal fortune, once valued at nearly $1 billion, to secretly run a criminal organization devoted to protecting his reputation and funding years of criminal conduct.
Firebombing a Porsche, kidnapping one of his employees, breaking into a rival's mansion and paying a security guard a $100,000 bribe are just a few of the eye-popping allegations prosecutors presented to the jury to try to prove their contention that Combs is a criminal. They argue Combs forced women to have sex with male prostitutes as he watched and masturbated during drug-fueled sex sessions that could last days. To keep his alleged victims silent, prosecutors say, Combs used violence, coercion and threats that they would be embarrassed or face financial ruin.
As soon as the government rested its case, the defense asked the judge to immediately find Combs not guilty of all the charges.
“The defense moves for a judgment of acquittal on all counts,” defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro said. “The government has failed to meet its burden.”
The jury was not in the room for the argument.
“The evidence does not establish that Mr. Combs conspired with any other person to violate the RICO statute,” Shapiro said. “They failed to show that any other individual actually conspired with him to conduct the affairs of this 20-year purported criminal enterprise.”
A grand jury indicted Combs in September 2024 on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. After declining to take a plea deal from prosecutors, Combs went to trial in May and could go to prison for the rest of his life if convicted on all counts.
He has pleaded not guilty and insists that any sex acts — no matter how far outside the mainstream they might be — were voluntary and remain the private business of consenting adults. Attorneys for Combs have acknowledged that the superstar is "complex" and has committed acts of violence and abused illicit drugs, but they argue that he never engaged in sex trafficking or ran a criminal enterprise as prosecutors allege.
Source-ABC
Education Ministry shares results of Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment 2025
The Ministry of Education is pleased to announce the commendable performance of students in the 2025 Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA). A total of 430 candidates were assessed this year, with 419 students (97%) achieving grades at or above the Near Competent level (41% and above).
The CPEA administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) evaluates student achievement across four core subjects: Mathematics, English Language, Science, and Social Studies, serving as a pivotal academic milestone at the end of primary education.
The Honourable Rachel Marshall Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, expressed her pride in the students' achievements:
“We are indeed proud of our students’ outstanding performance in the 2025 Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment. These results reflect the dedication of our educators, the supportive involvement of parents, and the hard work and perseverance of our children. We remain committed to providing a quality education that empowers every learner to thrive.”
Key Performance Highlights:
- 97% of students scored 41% or higher.
- 65% (279 candidates) achieved Competent or Advanced Competent status.
- 14% (60 students) attained Advanced Competence, reflecting a 1% increase over 2024.
- Math remains the area for growth, with 61% of students scoring 50% or above.
- Language (88%), Civic (82%), and Science (79%) showed strong performance at the 50%+ level.
- Gender differences was evident in performance across all levels, with a slight female lead in Competent to Advanced Competent bands, a decrease in lead when compared to 2024.
The following students hold the top ten positions in the country:
|
Position |
Name |
Sex |
School |
Total Marks |
Percentage |
|
1 |
Sydney Kay Brisbane |
F |
B.E.S.T |
482 |
96.4 |
|
2 |
Arianna Shalini Daniel |
F |
RHP |
472 |
94.4 |
|
3 |
Darnique Dorvette Handfield |
F |
AOPS |
470 |
94.0 |
|
4 |
Erion Elrico Choy Stoll |
M |
OGPS |
463 |
92.6 |
|
5 |
Dominick Glenroy Gardiner |
M |
OGPS |
461 |
92.2 |
|
5 |
Lebron Wolf Sertune |
M |
B.E.S.T |
461 |
92.2 |
|
7 |
Marlissa Alana Caesar |
F |
ESPS |
455 |
91.0 |
|
8 |
Kalesia Jasianne Robinson |
F |
ESPS |
453 |
90.6 |
|
9 |
Mejohnsky Delicieux |
M |
OGPS |
452 |
90.4 |
|
9 |
Tyler Derson Delancy |
M |
B.E.S.T |
452 |
90.4 |
|
9 |
Jace Costley Charles Mullings |
M |
RHP |
452 |
90.4 |
The top positions in each of the four subject areas are held by the following students:
|
Component |
Name of Student |
Percentage |
School |
|
Mathematics |
Sydney Kay Brisbane |
97.5 |
B.E.S.T. INSTITUTE |
|
Language |
Sydney Kay Brisbane |
96.43 |
B.E.S.T. INSTITUTE |
|
Science |
Sydney Kay Brisbane |
96.67 |
B.E.S.T. INSTITUTE |
|
Social Studies |
Darnique Hanfield Erion Elrico Choy Stoll
|
98.3 |
ADELAIDE OMELER PRIMARY SCHOOL ONA GLINTON PRIMARY SCHOOL |
Our focus is on holistic education, ensuring that each student excel academically while also developing critical thinking skills, creativity, and social responsibility. The 2025 results are not just about academic success but also about the overall growth and development of our boys and girls.
CPEA Prize-Giving ceremonies will be held across the country beginning on Monday, 30 June 2025 under the theme “ Strong Foundations, Limitless Futures”.
|
CPEA Prize-Giving Ceremonies 2025 |
|||
|
Date |
Time |
Island |
Venue |
|
Monday, 30th June 2025 |
10:00 a.m. |
Grand Turk |
Yellowman & Sons Auditorium |
|
Tuesday, 1 July 2025 |
10:00 a.m. |
South Caicos |
Mt Olivet Baptist Church |
|
Wednesday, 2 July 2025 |
10:00 a.m. |
North & Middle Caicos |
Horse Stable Beach Community Centre |
|
Thursday, 3 July 2025 |
10:00 a.m. |
Providenciales |
Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex |
The Ministry commends all school leaders, teachers, parents, and communities who understand the value of strong partnerships and the critical importance of collaboration. We remain committed to our mission to create an environment where each learner is successful.
TCI Recives Six (6) Additional Certificates of Analyses For Commonly Prescribed Antidiabetic Medicine
The Pharmacy Unit within the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) is pleased to report that it has received six (6) additional certificates of analyses following the testing and analyses of six (6) samples of the commonly prescribed antidiabetic medicine, metformin. This brings to a total of 11 samples following the receipt of five (5) certificates of analyses earlier this year. The samples – which have been confirmed as achieving the required quality standard - were selected from batches that have been utilised on the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) market.
A Certificate of Analysis is a legal document that certifies the quality of a medicine and/or its ingredients known as excipients. The certificate demonstrates that the batch/ sample tested meets all the required quality control standards which confirms product quality and safety.
The Unit continues to partner with the Medicines Quality Control and Surveillance Department (MQCSD) of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) as a part of their risk-based Post-Market Surveillance (PMS) Programme for medicines to conduct these tests and analyses. The TCI’s involvement in the PMS Programme continues to strengthen and support the effectiveness of its medicines regulatory system by:
Providing data and information that will better inform the government on the appropriate and effective regulatory actions and strategies to implement (that will improve the availability of safe and essential good quality medicines), and
Identifying in a timely manner, possible substandard and falsified products/medicines on the TCI market.
Importantly, the Minister of Health and Human Services – Honourable Kyle R. Knowles declared that “it is essential to improve fair access to safe, effective and quality medicines as these are hallmarks of effective disease management/treatment.” As such Hon. Knowles notes that “the MoHHS and by extension, the Pharmacy Unit, will continue to strengthen the systems and capacities required to improve the effective monitoring of drug/patient safety.”
The MoHHS will continue to ensure that the health and wellbeing of all TCI residents are positively impacted by actively monitoring and regulating all medicines used within the TCI. The MoHHS is also encouraging persons to utilise the Adverse Drug Reaction Form - found at https://gov.tc/docs/ADR.pdf - to report any suspected:
adverse events - suffered from the use of medicines and/or
substandard or falsified medicines.
These reports are paramount as they aid in determining whether medicines will be submitted for analysis and testing.
Ford announces Recall of Aviators and Explorers
There is a sweeping recall of Lincoln Aviators and Ford Explorers from 2020 to 2025.
According to Auto Week, If your 2020 to 2025 Ford Explorer or Lincoln Aviator’s second-row seats have been acting up, you’re not alone. Ford is recalling 121,235 Lincoln Aviators and 183,427 Ford Explorers from model years 2020 through 2025 because of a second-row seat “easy entry seat fold switch bezel.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall report, the affected Ford Explorers’ and Lincoln Aviators’ easy entry fold switch bezels may have been installed incorrectly. These bezels can be misaligned with the switch and can cause the seat to bind or the switch to become stuck in the down position.
This could lead to a situation where the seat becomes unlatched in the seat track, which would cause the seat to move or the seat to fold while the vehicle is in motion. A seat that’s moving unexpectedly in the cabin could lead to injury or a potential collision.
According to the recall report, Ford estimates that only 6% of vehicles will present the defect. That said, if you’re the owner of an affected vehicle, Ford has a fix. Ford says you can take your affected vehicle to its dealer for the second-row seat fold switch bezel to be inspected. If the bezels are installed improperly or damaged, they will be replaced free of charge.
Ford has already started notifying dealers about this recall, but letters to owners are scheduled for June 23, 2025. The recall report also notes that the remedy letter will be mailed out on August 25, 2025. If you’re curious about the status of your Explorer or Aviator, Ford says that the affected vehicle VINs are now searchable.
Source- Auto Week
Crown Land Unit Leads Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise In Blue Hills
The Crown Land Unit, led a multi-agency enforcement exercise in Blue Hills earlier in June, with operational support from the Informal Settlements Unit, the Physical Planning Department, and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force. Security for the operation was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The exercise targeted unauthorized structures located on Block and Parcel number 60503/317, situated in the area known as Evangelical Yard in Blue Hills. Fourteen (14) Enforcement Notices were issued under Section 22 of the Crown Land Ordinance. Notices were affixed to each unoccupied structure found to be in illegal occupation of Crown land.
This operation is part of the government’s continued effort to uphold the laws governing Crown land and to curb the spread of unauthorized developments.
The Informal Settlements Unit remains committed to working with its partners to support lawful land use and promote the creation of safer and more sustainable communities throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Gilgeous-Alexander guides Thunder to NBA glory
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped a dominant season as he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Championship after beating the Indiana Pacers in game seven of the play-off finals.
The Canadian, 26, scored 29 points and had 12 assists in their 103-91 success over the Indiana Pacers in Oklahoma to clinch the series 4-3 - the first time since 2016 that the finals had gone to a deciding seventh game.
He was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) to add to his NBA regular season MVP award and scoring title, just the fourth player and the first since Shaquille O'Neal to achieve the rare treble in one season.
It is the Thunder's first title since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City from Seattle in 2008 after Seattle won the 1979 crown.
The Pacers lost key player Tyrese Haliburton to a leg injury just seven minutes into the contest when he slipped and fell while driving towards the basket, but still held a narrow 48-47 lead at half-time.
However, the Thunder, who with an average age of 25.6 are the youngest side to win an NBA Finals title since the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977, out-scored them 34-20 in the third quarter and pushed the lead out to as many as 22 points (90-68) in the fourth.
"It doesn't feel real, so many hours, so many moments, so many emotions, so many nights of disbelief," said Gilgeous-Alexander.
"It's crazy to know that we're all here. But this group worked for it, this group put in the hours and we deserved this."
"Our togetherness on and off the court, like how much fun we have, it made it so much easier. It made it feel like we were just kids playing basketball. It was so fun.
"We have a lot to grow, individually and as a group. I'm excited for the future of this team. This is a great start. I'm really excited for this team."
The Thunder completed a franchise record 68-win season, just four years after they recorded only 22 victories across a Covid-shortened 2020-21 campaign, their first under coach Mark Daigneault, who took over in November 2020.
Source-BBC