Chuck Norris, action star and martial artist, dies at 86
Actor Chuck Norris, the martial artist known for a string of hit action movies and the series Walker, Texas Ranger, has died, according to his family. He was 86.
"It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning," Norris' family said Friday in a statement shared on his Instagram page. "While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace."
The family said Norris was "a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family."
"While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him," the family statement continued. "The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends."
Norris' family said the actor had been recently hospitalized but did not share further details on his condition.
The actor turned 86 on March 10, just days before his death. He shared a video of himself boxing on his birthday, saying in the video, "I don’t age. I level up."
Norris, born Carlos Ray Norris, was born in Oklahoma but spent much of his childhood in California. He learned karate while serving in the U.S. Air Force in South Korea, with the hopes of becoming a police officer after his service, he told The New York Times in a 1985 interview.
When he returned to Southern California after his military service, he instead opened a chain of karate schools.
It was through teaching karate that Norris was introduced to acting when he instructed the late Steve McQueen and McQueen's son, he told the Times.
"He told me that I should think about projecting a presence, and never do a part that had a lot of dialogue," Norris said of McQueen's advice. "He told me, 'Movies are visual, and when you try to verbalize something, you're going to lose the audience.' He said to let the character actors lay out the plot, and that when there were important things to say, you say it, and people will remember."
From that fateful meeting with McQueen, Norris went on to have an acting career that spanned several decades and featured starring roles in blockbuster action movies including The Way of the Dragon, Lone Wolf McQuade, Missing in Action, The Delta Force and Invasion U.S.A.
In the 1990s, Norris became a television star with the series Walker, Texas Ranger, which he both starred in and executive produced.
In addition to acting, Norris was an author, including of his 2004 autobiography, Against All Odds: My Story.
Offscreen, Norris also entered the political arena, endorsing and campaigning for several conservative candidates over the years.
In his later years, Norris reached unexpected online fame when jokes known as "Chuck Norris Facts" went viral online, touting Norris' seeming invincibility with lines like, "Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits."
Norris revealed his personal favorite in 2008, telling Extra, "My favorite is that they wanted to put Chuck Norris on Mount Rushmore, but the granite wasn’t tough enough for his beard."
Norris capitalized on his online fame, growing a social media following of nearly 3 million followers on Instagram, where he continued to post everything from his workouts to life advice until the time of his death.
Norris is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Gena O'Kelly, with whom he shared two children, twins Dakota Norris and Danilee Norris.
Norris is also survived by three other adult children, two sons, Eric Norris and Mike Norris, and a daughter, Dina Norris.
TCIG IMPLEMENTS STRICT MEASURES FOR THE COLLECTION OF ARREARS ON IMPORTER ACCOUNTS
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands wishes to advise the public and the trading community of targeted measures being implemented to strengthen fiscal compliance while maintaining the efficient movement of legitimate trade across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Government remains committed to ensuring that import processes operate transparently, fairly, and in accordance with established law, while safeguarding the continuity of commerce and the availability of goods throughout the Islands. These measures form part of the Government’s wider compliance initiative, including Operation Dragnet, which seeks to recover outstanding public revenues and strengthen accountability within the import system.
Since 2024, Border Force Compliance Unit has undertaken extensive engagement with account holders to regularise outstanding obligations. These efforts have included direct meetings with importers, training sessions on declaration requirements, periodic compliance notices, numerous extended deadlines, and structured compliance plans designed to help businesses bring their accounts into good standing. These collaborative efforts have yielded significant results, with $17.4 million recovered between the period January 2024 and December 2025 from historical outstanding bills of lading, unpaid cash entries, and unresolved proper declarations linked to pre-entry submissions dating back to 2020.
Additionally, and as a part of the Government’s wider push for greater compliance and efficiency through electronic systems, the Border Force is nearing completion of the procurement exercise for a comprehensive upgrade to the ASYCUDA Entry Clearance System and Tariff Codes. The latest version of this software will deliver vast improvements, not only to the stability of the current platform and convenience to the end-user, but further, will improve compliance and provide mechanisms for early detection of risks in order to mitigate against potential revenue leakages.
Despite these sustained efforts, a number of accounts remain non-compliant. In many instances, the outstanding obligations relate to goods that have already been delivered to importers or end users, including shipments handled by courier services, where the applicable duties and taxes were collected from customers by the account holder but remain unpaid to the Government.
To address this remaining gap while minimising disruption to trade, on March 4th, the Border Force suspended the credit facilities of specific account holders where outstanding bills of lading, incomplete perfect declarations related to pre-entry submissions, unresolved subsequent entries, or unpaid cash declarations exist, thereby placing them on a cash-basis only for current imports, while we continue to work with them to clear their arrears. Account holders that are compliant and up to date with their declarations and payments are not affected by these measures and will continue to receive normal cargo clearance services.
While the Government continues to strengthen its compliance measures, we also understand and appreciate the need to facilitate the trade and imports. Towards this end, to support business continuity during this period, Border Force has continued to release cargo on a cash basis. This means that importers with outstanding obligations, while unable to access their credit facilities, may submit a declaration for all or part of their shipments and pay the applicable duties and taxes for the goods to be released. Additionally, priority clearance is also being given to medications, frozen goods, perishables, and other essential supplies to ensure minimal disruption to the public and the wider economy.
The public may experience temporary delays in the clearance of certain goods while affected importers are on a cash basis. The Government asks for the understanding and cooperation of the community during this period as the Border Force works to ensure that all import processes operate fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the law.
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands assures the public that there is no freeze on current imports. The cooperation of the trading community and the public are appreciated as we seek to recover public revenue while maintaining an efficient and reliable import environment. These actions reinforce the Government’s mission through the Border Force to safeguard our borders and protect the nation’s prosperity, while continuing to facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen fiscal accountability.”
Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision on Leeward Highway
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) can confirm that 49-year-old MARIE ANGE MORLEY is the victim who tragically lost her life in a motor vehicle collision that occurred yesterday (06 March) along the Leeward Highway.
Shortly after 11:00 a.m., officers of the RT&CIPF, along with medical personnel, responded to reports of a serious two-vehicle collision in the vicinity of Central Square along the Leeward Highway.
Emergency services, including the Fire Department and medical personnel, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, responders observed that four persons had sustained injuries, including one adult female and three children. Ms. Morley, who was the driver of one of the vehicles, succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
The RT&CIPF extends condolences to the relatives and friends of Ms. Morley during this difficult time.
Three minors, aged two, eight, and nine, were transported by ambulance to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for treatment. A 49-year-old male, the driver of a pickup truck involved in the collision, also sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the female driver was travelling east along the Leeward Highway when her vehicle collided with a pickup truck.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The RT&CIPF wishes to thank members of the public who assisted at the scene, including two off-duty medical professionals who rendered life-saving assistance to the injured children before emergency responders arrived.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Dwight Gardiner is urging motorists to exercise greater caution while using the roadways.
ACP Gardiner said, “This tragic incident serves as a reminder of how quickly lives can be changed on our roads. I urge all motorists to remain alert, drive responsibly, and adhere to traffic laws designed to protect all road users. The RT&CIPF reminds motorists of the following traffic regulations:
-General speed limit: 40 mph (64 km/h)
-Residential and town areas: 20 mph (32 km/h)
-School zones: as low as 10 mph (16 km/h)
“Additionally, under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act (Ticket Offences and Fines), of the Road Traffic Act 13:01, it is an offence for a driver to fail to comply with an indication given by a police officer, traffic sign, or traffic signal. Failure to comply attracts a fine of $300.”
3-DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
GENERAL SITUATION: The ridge of high pressure continues to dominate weather conditions across the Turks and Caicos Islands, bringing warm and humid weather with moderate to fresh breezes.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: Partly to mostly sunny with isolated showers possible this afternoon. Mostly fair with isolated showers possible tonight.
WINDS: Easterly at 5 to 15 knots
SEAS: Caicos Bank – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic – 2 to 4 feet nearshore, building up to 6 feet offshore
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 85°F 29°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 73°F 23°C
SUNSET: 06:56 PM
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 03:10 PM (2.0 FT)
NEXT LOW TIDE: 09:07 PM (1.0 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST: Generally dry, warm and breezy conditions will continue across the Turks and Caicos Islands through the remainder of the work week as the high pressure and a relatively dry air mass remain in place.
THURSDAY: A low (10 percent) chance of isolated showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 86°F (30°C).
THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly fair, with a low around 75°F (24°C).
WINDS: East to southeast at 5 to 15 knots
SEAS: Caicos Bank – 3 feet or less; Atlantic – 1 to 3 feet nearshore, building up to 5 feet offshore
SUNRISE: 06:59 AM
SUNSET: 06:56 PM
HIGH TIDE: 04:05 AM (2.6 FT) 04:01 PM (2.0 FT)
LOW TIDE: 10:42 AM (1.2 FT) 09:59 PM (1.0 FT)
FRIDAY: Isolated showers possible. Partly sunny, with a high near 86°F (30°C).
FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly fair, with a low around 75°F (24°C).
WINDS: East to southeast at 5 to 15 knots
SEAS: Caicos Bank – 3 feet or less; Atlantic – 2 to 4 feet
SUNRISE: 06:59 AM
SUNSET: 06:57 PM
HIGH TIDE: 04:56 AM (2.6 FT) 04:53 PM (2.0 FT)
LOW TIDE: 11:30 AM (1.2 FT) 10:53 PM (1.0 FT)
FORECASTER: DR.H.HAMILTON
TCI 3 Day Weather Forecast
GENERAL SITUATION: A broad ridge of high pressure remains in place across the region, supporting moderate easterly breezes across the Turks and Caicos Islands today.
AREA: ALL AREAS
WEATHER: Partly to mostly sunny. Fair tonight.
ADVISORY:
WINDS: Easterly at 10 to 20 knots with higher gusts
SEAS: 2 to 4 feet nearshore and in sheltered waters, building up to 6 feet offshore
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 86°F 30°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 75°F 24°C
SUNSET: 05:53 PM
NEXT LOW TIDE: 02:30 PM (0.3 FT)
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 08:42 PM (2.3 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST: This ridging pattern will continue to dominate through the end of the week, maintaining breezy conditions and passing showers.
THURSDAY: A low (20 percent) chance of widely scattered showers in the morning, then isolated showers possible in the afternoon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 86°F (30°C).
THURSDAY NIGHT: Isolated showers possible. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75°F (24°C).
WINDS: Easterly at 10 to 20 knots with higher gusts, increasing to 15 to 25 knots in the afternoon.
SEAS: 2 to 4 feet nearshore and in sheltered waters, building up to 7 feet offshore
SUNRISE: 06:06 AM
SUNSET: 05:54 PM
LOW TIDE: 02:54 AM (0.3 FT) 03:05 PM (0.3 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 09:00 AM (2.2 FT) 09:26 PM (2.3 FT)
FRIDAY: Isolated showers possible in the afternoon. A mix of sun and clouds, with a high near 84°F (29°C).
FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly fair, with a low around 75°F (24°C).
WINDS: Easterly at 10 to 20 knots with higher gusts, increasing to 15 to 25 knots in the afternoon.
SEAS: 3 to 5 feet nearshore and in sheltered waters, building up to 8 feet offshore
SUNRISE: 06:05 AM
SUNSET: 05:54 PM
LOW TIDE: 03:41 AM (0.3 FT) 03:41 PM (0.3 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 09:38 AM (2.0 FT) 10:09 PM (2.2 FT)
FORECASTER: H. HAMILTON
GK Foods Crushed Kishco in TCICA Senior local cricket competition
The TCICA Senior men Cricket Competition continued Sunday 1st of March 2026 at the Downtown Ball Park, Providenciales with GK Foods emerging as the winner.
Kishco won the toss and decided to bat, reaching a total of 54 runs for 10 wickets from 20 overs. The top scorer was Soneswaran Chinnatham with 14 runs, consisting of three 4s.
Bowling for GK Foods, Dilkagi took 3 wickets for 4 runs from 3 overs. Nagarajan Kuthalingham took 2 wickets for 11 runs from 2 overs. Ashok Kumar took 2 wickets for 13 runs from 2 overs.
In reply, GK Foods reached the prescribed total of 54 runs for 0 wickets in 4.4 overs. Ganesan Kuthalingham top scored with 26 runs which included four 4s and one 6. Mathan Selvakumar made 15 runs, which consisted of two 4s.
Bowling for Kishco, Mario Smith went wicketless for 26 runs from 2 overs. Winston Callam also went wicketless for 10 runs from 2 overs. Kajee went wicketless for 15 runs from 0.4 overs.
Man of the match was Dilkaji Guran who took 3 wickets for 4 runs from 3 overs.
Meanwhile, the competition continues next Sunday March 8, 2026, where Aircool Knight Riders will take on Police and GK Foods will be battle Beaches.
Antigua PM optimistic Trinidad will honour outstanding multi-million dollar payout
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne says he remains optimistic that Trinidad and Tobago would honour its obligation and pay the remaining US$60 million owed to policy holders following the collapse of two Trinidad-based Caribbean insurance and financial companies.
The collapse of the Colonial Life Insurance Company (ClICO) and British American Insurance Company (BAICO) 2008, sent shockwaves across the Caribbean, particularly the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Browne had indicated that millions of dollars had been lost by depositors in the OECS after they were invested by CLICO/BAICO in the Trinidad and Tobago economy.
He said a previous Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration had agreed to provide a compensation of US$100 million for the OECS countries, of which US$40 million had been paid.
The last Trinidad and Tobago government did not honour the remaining balance and Prime Minister Browne, who met with Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar during the ongoing Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit here, said while he s aware of the financial problems facing Port of Spain, he still remains hopeful of a payment being made.
“ I would say that the discussions were very cordial and we understand fully the fiscal difficulties that Trinidad and Tobago is faced with at this time.
“The discussion centered around paying the balance of 60 million US dollars over an extended period, a period that will not create any significant cash flow problems to the government of Trinidad and Tobago,” Browne told reporters, adding “I sense that she is willing to honour that commitment that she made several years ago.
“In fact, she honoured it partially by paying the first 40 million US dollars. So I remain hopeful that a final determination will be made in the upcoming weeks. But she did not resist honoring the remaining 60 million US dollars, other than we had to take into consideration the fiscal problems and certain economic problems that Trinidad has at this time,” Browne added.
Source- CMC
The Department of Family and Children Services recognises Social Work Month 2026
The Department of Family and Children Services, in collaboration with the Department of Community Support and Engagement, is proud to join the global community in celebrating Social Work Month this March 2026 under the theme, “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.”
This theme speaks deeply to the heart of the Turks and Caicos Islands, where social workers serve as pillars of strength, compassion, and hope within our communities. In our close-knit communities, social workers provide critical support to children, families, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals, ensuring that no one is left behind as our nation progresses.
Social work in the Turks and Caicos Islands is more than a profession, it is a calling and a national responsibility. It represents a commitment to protecting our children, strengthening families, supporting our elderly, and preserving the dignity and well-being of every resident across every island and community.
Director of the Department of Family and Children Services, Mrs. Ashley Adams-Forbes, expressed sincere appreciation, stating: "Social workers are the heart of safeguarding and social protection within our communities. Their work requires not only skill and knowledge, but empathy, courage, and unwavering commitment. We are proud to recognise and celebrate their contributions, and we thank them for their continued dedication to protecting and uplifting those we serve.”
Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm Minister responsible for Family and Children Services and Community Support and Engagement praised the invaluable contributions of social workers, stating, “Social workers are the quiet heroes within our communities. They provide hope in moments of hardship, protection in times of vulnerability, and guidance when it is needed most. Their work helps ensure that as the Turks and Caicos Islands grows and prospers, every individual has the opportunity to live in safety, dignity, and stability.”
As part of Social Work Month, the Department will host several initiatives to promote awareness of the profession and recognise the vital role social workers play in strengthening families and communities.
As we celebrate Social Work Month 2026, we honour and thank the social workers of the Turks and Caicos Islands for their tireless service and unwavering dedication. Their work uplifts lives, defends dignity, and helps transform our nation into a stronger, more compassionate, and more resilient Turks and Caicos Islands for all.
CABINET APPROVES NEW PLANNING APPLICATION FEE STRUCTURE – EFFECTIVE 1ST APRIL 2026
The Planning Department within the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development announces that the Cabinet of the Turks and Caicos Islands has approved a new policy position to amend the fees specified by Regulation 16 of the Development Permission Regulations made under the Physical Planning Act.
This important reform was championed by the Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Arlington A. Musgrove, in conjunction with the Department of Planning, as part of Government’s continued efforts to strengthen transparency, efficiency, and fairness within the national development approval process.
The approved reform introduces a modernized and more transparent structure for planning application fees, transitioning from a construction-cost-based system to a square-footage-based fee model.
Under the existing system, planning application fees are calculated as a percentage of the estimated construction cost provided by applicants or their agents. As these costs could not be independently verified by the Planning Department, this approach occasionally results in disputes and inconsistencies.
The new square-footage-based approach allows fees to be calculated based on the total construction area shown on submitted architectural drawings; improving fairness, transparency, and administrative efficiency.
Once made, the revised framework will establish two development zones to reflect the varying characteristics of land use across the Islands.
Area A includes high-end and tourism-related locations, while Area B applies to general residential and non-tourism areas. Planning application fees will be based on the type of development, its size, and its location within these designated areas.
Applications for Outline Development Permission will be assessed at 50 percent of the applicable Detailed Development Permission fee.
The policy also formalizes infrastructure fees for certain large-scale and high-impact developments, particularly within tourism and high-end areas, in support of long-term infrastructure planning and sustainable national growth.
Additionally, where development proposals exceed the building height allowances established under the National Physical Development Plan (NPDP), and approval is granted by the Cabinet, a building height levy will apply per square foot for each additional floor, payable every three years.
The Cabinet also considered the structure of subdivision fees and the potential impact on Turks and Caicos Islanders. The new framework ensures that smaller family subdivisions are not treated the same as large-scale commercial developments, helping to protect inheritance planning opportunities and reduce disproportionate financial burdens on local landowners, while ensuring that commercial developments contribute appropriately.
Importantly, the definition of “Exempt Application” will be amended to provide a 50 percent reduction in planning application fees for Turks and Caicos Islanders constructing their first dwelling house for personal or family occupation. This measure reinforces Government’s commitment to supporting homeownership and access to family land for Islanders.
The necessary amendments to the fee structure and the associated forms, including Form DOP 2, will now be finalized to reflect the new fee structure.
The changes to the Development Permission Regulations and updated forms and detailed fee tables will be published in the Gazette and by the Planning Department prior to the implementation date. The new planning application fees will take effect on 1st April 2026, and further guidance will be provided to assist applicants during the transition.
This release seeks to provide timely notice to the public of the policy change. This reform represents a significant step in strengthening the development management framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands by promoting transparency, equity, and sustainable development.
ICE deports convicted illegal Jamaican national
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says it has deported a convicted illegal Jamaican national.
On Friday, ICE said Kemar Hamilton was convicted of homicide in New York in 2012.
ICE said he was arrested for the murder of Edgar McCalla, a 58-year-old Jamaican immigrant with seven children.
Hamilton reportedly shot McCalla during a robbery outside McCalla’s Bronx home on Feb. 19, 2009, then fled the scene.
Police discovered a prepaid cellphone at the murder scene dropped by the killer, which initially yielded no DNA match and soon after, the case grew cold, ICE said.
It said a break in the case came two years later, when local law enforcement stopped Hamilton for a traffic violation and discovered a loaded firearm inside his vehicle.
ICE said officials arrested him and investigators later discovered his DNA matched that on the cellphone dropped at the murder scene years before.
“I commend local law enforcement for breaking this murder case and the prosecutors for securing a conviction, but the truth is, Kemar Hamilton should have never been in this country in the first place,” said ICE Deputy Director Charles Wall. “We’ve said it over and over: Enforcing immigration law protects Americans — and it protects our immigrant communities.
“This criminal crossed our border illegally, then went on to murder a father of seven from his own home nation,” he added.
ICE said Hamilton snuck into the United States in 2008, but US Border Patrol agents apprehended him within days and released him on his own recognizance, as was customary at the time, with a notice to appear in court for immigration proceedings.
About a year after illegally entering the US, Hamilton killed McCalla — “leaving seven innocent children fatherless,” ICE said.
While Hamilton hid from justice on New York streets, ICE said immigration officials were already processing his removal orders, and an immigration judge ordered him removed Dec. 23, 2009.
A judge in New York sentenced Hamilton to over a decade in prison.
ICE Buffalo, New York officers arrested him Oct. 6, 2025, upon his release from the Wende Correctional Facility in Alden “to prevent his release into the community and effect his removal.”
Source- CMC