2025 TCI TOP MODEL FAN FAVOURITE CHALLENGE
TCI Top Model Contest continues as organisers unveil the highly anticipated Fan Favourite Challenge—an interactive social media campaign that puts the power of selection in the hands of the public.
Running from May 22 to May 28, 2025, the TCI Top Model: Fan Favourite Challenge invites followers on Instagram and Facebook to vote for their favourite contestant through likes and shares. Each contestant will be featured in their own individual post, showcasing their style, personality, and journey.
One like and one share each count as a vote, with engagement measured exclusively on the official TCI
Top Model pages:
Instagram: @tcistopmodel
Facebook: @tcitopmodel
The contestant with the highest total number of likes and shares by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, will be named the 2025 TCI Top Model Fan Favourite and awarded a $500 gift certificate courtesy of FLOW.
“This challenge is all about community support and visibility,” said Courtney Robinson, Founder and Executive Producer of the TCI Top Model Contest. “It gives our audience a voice and offers the contestants a powerful platform to showcase their individuality.”
Important Note:
The Fan Favourite Challenge is a stand-alone title and does not determine the winner of the 2025 TCI Top Model Contest. The overall winner will be selected by an official panel of judges during the Grand Finale on Saturday, May 31 st , 2025, at Brayton Hall.
Rules:
Only engagement (likes and shares) on official TCI Top Model social media accounts will be counted.
Use of bots, fake profiles, or paid engagement will lead to disqualification.
The winner will be officially announced within 24 hours of the contest closing via Instagram, Facebook, and an official press release.
The 2025 TCI Top Model Contestants:
1. Shakem Charles
2. Kavanna Hanna
3. Juane Familia
4. Mynisha Chery
5. Mosderlin Hicher
6. Diavion Ebanks
7. Hubert Prospere
8. Shenylce Bello
The countdown is on! Like and share the posts of your favourite contestant(s) to show your support and help them claim the title of 2025 TCI Top Model Fan Favourite. Your engagement could change their future!
The Weeknd says Hurry Up Tomorrow director created a 'safe space' for him to be 'vulnerable'
The psychological thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow, starring Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, is in theaters now. While Abel starred in the 2023 HBO series The Idol, this marks the first time that he's carried an entire film by himself. But as director Trey Edward Shults revealed, he didn't see the series before he started working with Abel.
"When we shot this, we shot it before The Idol was even out," Shults told ABC Audio at the film's New York City premiere. "The only thing I had seen him act in were his music videos. But I connected with him."
And Abel says that connection made it easy for him to play a character on the verge of a mental breakdown.
"I mean, once I got to work with Trey ... I've been a huge fan of his work," the singer told ABC Audio on the red carpet. "So all I needed to do was trust him and connect with the material. And at that [point], it wasn't too challenging, I think, being vulnerable."
He then turned to Trey and told him, "You created a safe space."
Hurry Up Tomorrow is a companion piece to The Weeknd's #1 album of the same name. But as he told ABC Audio, the album was the most challenging part of the whole project.
"We made the film first, and we had a few songs that we had recorded, ideas that we needed to see on the screen. But aside from that, everything else was up in the air," Abel explained. "So, kind of replacing material with brand-new music was really tough for me."
"And never wanting to settle," Shults added. "We always wanted to push something sonically to a place that was fresh and singular and new."
"That was really important," agreed Abel.
The film also stars Barry Keoghan and Jenna Ortega.
Source-ABC
Al Pacino joins Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Alba in Maserati: The Brothers biopic
Al Pacino is showing no signs of hitting the brakes on his acting career, as he's just been announced as the latest actor to join the upcoming biographical film Maserati: The Brothers.
The 85-year-old movie legend joins fellow industry big names Anthony Hopkins, Andy Garcia and Jessica Alba to star in the biopic centered around the Maserati family and their legacy in the automotive world, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Pacino will take on the role of Vincenzo Vaccaro, an auto investor and supporter of the Maserati family.
Directing the film is award winner Bobby Moresco, whose credits include Crash, 10th & Wolf and Million Dollar Baby.
In a statement to THR, producer Andrea Iervolino said the team is thrilled to have Pacino join the cast. "His unparalleled talent and iconic presence bring a profound depth to our portrayal of this inspiring and emotional story. Having such a legendary figure join our already incredible cast is truly an honor," he said.
Producers also say the final phase of shooting Maserati: The Brothers will begin in Rome in June.
Supreme Court weighs blocks on Trump's order to end birthright citizenship
The Supreme Court on Thursday heard oral arguments over President Donald Trump's emergency request to roll back nationwide injunctions blocking his executive order to end birthright citizenship.
The rare May sitting of the court sets the stage for a decision by this summer on whether Trump can move forward with plans to limit U.S. citizenship only to children born on American soil to lawful permanent residents.
The case is also expected to address the legality of individual district court judges single-handedly blocking a presidential policy nationwide. Trump is seeking to dissolve judicial orders preventing mass federal layoffs, funding freezes and expedited deportation protocols.
Source-ABC
FEMA 'not ready' for hurricane season, internal review finds
As the Federal Emergency Management Agency prepares for the approaching hurricane season, the agency is ill-prepared, according to an internal document obtained by ABC News.
The document was prepared for acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson as he takes the helm of the agency responsible for managing federal disasters.
"As FEMA transforms to a smaller footprint, the intent for this hurricane season is not well understood, thus FEMA is not ready," according to the document.
The document says that FEMA is uncertain about its future, while planning for hurricane season, which starts on June 1.
Staffing limitations and hiring will also impact FEMA's operations, according to the document, as well as a lack of coordination with states.
Source-ABC
OECS trade ministers meeting against shifting global trading arrangments
Trade ministers from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) began a two-day meeting here against the backdrop of a changing global trade environment and the need for the sub-region to respond appropriately to those changes.
Grenada’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development, Joseph Andall, told the sixth Council of Trade Ministers meeting that the OECS would need to strategise for dealing with changes being called for within the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United States new trading arrangements as well as the situation within the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Andall said with a functioning economic union and a fully operational customs union as well as the free circulation of goods, the OECS would be better positioned “to influence the speed and trajectory of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)” that allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the 15-member grouping.
“Further, as the less developed countries within CARICOM, it is important for the OECS to secure the anticipated benefits of the CSME, including through the full operationalisation of Chapter 7 of the Revised Treaty pf Chaguaramas, ensuring that we coordinate our engagement within the CARICOM organs will be critical to this”.
Andall said that the Council agreed to convene ordinary meetings in advance of the CARICOM Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to allow the sub-region to coordinate its engagement ahead of the June 10th COTED meeting.
“I am hoping we can contribute to CARICOM’s agenda by moving towards a unified voice on some key issues on the COTED agenda,” Andall said, noting that one such issue is the enforcement of competition policy in the OECS”.
He said he has noted that regulatory and competition authorities “was one of the areas where OECS member states agreed to coordinate, harmonise and to do joint actions and policies.
“This is also an obligation under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. The OECS remains challenged in finding acceptable regional solutions as called for by the revised Treaty of Basseterre (which governs the OECS Economic Union established in 2010).”
Andall said that the meeting will consider and confront issues in the wider economic and trade relations, noting that at the multilateral level at the WTO member states in Geneva are planning the 14th session of the WTO ministerial conference, schedule for 2025.5.14
He said the OECS, through its Geneva Mission, continues to advance its trade and development interests and that a “well functioning rules based multilateral trading system is important for the small countries of the OECS.
“The rules, norms and decision making procedure of the WTO provide the necessary guard rails to help us secure our trade and development interests as we do not have the political and economic capacity to independently influence trade flows and trade rules.
“The WTO is facing threats to its continued relevance. Member states have been engaged in discussions to reform the system and the OECS must ensure it is contributing to the shaping of the future of the WTO,” the Grenada government minister told his colleagues.
He said the OECS countries have also witnessed recent “seismic shifts” in the policy approach to the management of trade by major trading countries, which he warned is the latest threat to the WTO and the multilateral trading system.
“It also threatens our very limited capacity to compete and trade,” he said, referring to the “new America first trade policy.
“We are all aware of the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on OECS exports to the US markets. Since the 1980’s , OECS-US trade has been governed largely by the unilateral and non-reciprocal duty free access that most OECS goods could enjoy under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).
But Andall said the new base reciprocal tariff of 10 per cent “is a marked departure from the CBI arrangement.
“This is of significant concern for OECS prospects and desire to increase exports to the United States,” Andall said adding that he was looking forward to the discussions on this matter during the meeting here “as we consider the implications for the OECS.
‘We will need to agree on how to respond and also contribute to the wider CARICOM approach,” he added.
The meeting here is expected to focus on strengthening regional trade policies, advancing economic integration, and addressing pressing trade challenges, reviewing and strengthening the OECS Trade Policy Coordinating Framework, including establishing an OECS Trade Policy Committee with representatives from government, private sector, and civil society.
The Council will discuss the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union (ECEU), focusing on two key components, the operationalization of an OECS Customs Union and the free trade in services regime.
Source-CMC
West Indies eager to start strong against Ireland
West Indies head coach Darren Sammy expressed optimism after his team’s first training session ahead of their upcoming ODI series against Ireland, which bowls off with the first match on May 21 right here in Dublin.
Returning to action after a five-month break since their last competitive fixture against Bangladesh in December, Sammy was pleased with the energy shown by his players, after the team had touched down in Ireland just a couple of days ago.
“First of all, it’s good to be back on the job. We haven’t played since December, so it’s great to see the guys eager to go. Our mission hasn’t changed, everything we’ve been building since 2023 is leading up to the 2027 World Cup, and we’re still on that quest.”
The two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain acknowledged Ireland’s competitiveness, particularly in home conditions, and stressed the importance of early preparation.
“Ireland has been very competitive over the years, especially against us, so we’re not taking anything lightly. It’s good that we’re here a couple of days early to get acclimatised, and so far, I love what I see in the nets.”
The series marks the start of a crucial year for the West Indies, who will also tour England right after the Ireland series. Sammy highlighted the opportunity to test new players in the absence of Sherfane Rutherford, who was one of the team’s standout ODI performers in 2024.
“We’ll miss Sherfane, he was one of our ODI players of the year, and his contributions at No. 5 were tremendous, but this gives someone else a chance to step up. This squad is packed with all-rounders who bring different skills, and we’re here to win.”
Confident in his team’s ability to adapt, Sammy pointed to West Indies’ strong home ODI record and their ambition to replicate that success abroad.
“We’ve made the Caribbean a fortress in ODIS, but now we want to win overseas too. This is our first series of 2025, and Ireland is a tough side at home. But we believe we can come here and win.”
Source-CMC
Government condemns series of armed attacks on members of Defense Force by Venezuelan gunmen
The Government of Guyana has strongly condemned a series of armed attacks launched from Venezuela against its Defence Force personnel in the early hours of Wednesday and Thursday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has formally protested the assaults, which were carried out by gunmen in civilian clothing near the Cuyuni River, between Eteringbang and Makapa.
According to official reports, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) came under fire in three separate incidents while conducting routine riverine patrols shortly after midnight.
The attackers, believed to have crossed from the Venezuelan shore, engaged GDF troops in a coordinated series of assaults.
No injuries were reported among the Guyanese ranks, as troops responded appropriately and maintained control of the situation.
In a diplomatic communication to the Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Guyana demanded a thorough investigation and the swift apprehension of those responsible.
The Ministry reiterated that the perpetrators must be brought to justice and that Venezuela must take concrete steps to prevent further such acts of aggression.
The Ministry recalled a previous incident on 17 February 2025, in which GDF troops were similarly attacked from across the border. Following that event, Guyana had urged Venezuela to act decisively to prevent further hostilities and to prosecute those involved. The recurrence of such attacks, the Ministry noted, is deeply troubling and unacceptable.
Guyana also announced its intention to once again bring the matter to the attention of the international community, as it did following the February incident. The Ministry, in coordination with other responsible government bodies, will continue to closely monitor developments and take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of its personnel and the defence of its territory.
Source-CMC
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS RECEIVE BOOSTS IN SECURITY RESOURCES
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and the Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick OBE attended a ceremony, held at the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) , to commission two new vessels, which have been provided to the Turks and Caicos Islands as part of a joint initiative between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the UK Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the Governor’s Office and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The two vessels, funded by the FCDO Border Security Programme, will form part of the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force’s Marine Branch, complementing their existing fleet. The vessels enhance our capability to be agile in our maritime law enforcement efforts and strengthen our emergency response search and rescue capability. They will be named Sea Challenger and Sea Contender reflecting the spirit of the RTCIPF’s operations in keeping the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands safe. The RNLI will provide training in the operations of these vessels later this month
At the commissioning ceremony, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier also announced the arrival of regional resources to assist the RTCIPF:
This afternoon, 10 tactical officers from the Barbados Police Service arrived in Providenciales to provide strategic and operational security assistance to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Upon arrival, the officers will undergo an initial orientation before being sworn in as Special Constables of the RTCIPF. Members of the team will be deployed to support tactical operations. A further deployment of 30 tactical officers from another RSS Member State is expected before the end of the month. As part of the agreement, the RTCIPF will be provided with expert surge support officers to augment the existing cadre and develop capability.
Also, this month, CARICOM IMPACS will be in the Turks and Caicos Islands to deliver the first phase of a comprehensive Intelligence training programme to members of the RTCIPF, TCI Regiment, Border Force, HM Prison, Financial Intelligence Unit and the National Security Secretariat.
This package of regional security assistance follows the attendance of Her Excellency the Governor and Honourable Minister Arlington Musgrove at the 28th Meeting of The Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) in November 2024, and active discussions by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government with the Regional Security System (RSS) and its Member States.
The security assistance will significantly bolster national security and local law enforcement by enabling collaboration, resource sharing and strategic planning. More specifically, this will include:
Joint Operations;
Intelligence Sharing;
Training and Capacity Building;
Strengthening Border Security; and
Combating Organized Crime Networks.
The Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick OBE said:
The commissioning of these police vessels represents a critical step forward in strengthening our national security and safeguarding the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I am grateful to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office for their partnership in providing these vessels, supporting my Government’s commitment to equip law enforcement with the tools they need to protect our borders and uphold the rule of law.
The Government welcomes the deployment of ten additional police officers from Barbados as part of our ongoing strategic efforts to bolster national security and enhance the operational capacity of our law enforcement agencies. This reinforcement solidifies the TCI's regional collaboration framework and underscores the shared objectives within the Caribbean toward addressing transnational crime, ensuring public order, and supporting intelligence-led policing. We are grateful to the Government and Commissioner of Police of Barbados for this timely support and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a coordinated, regional approach to security and crime prevention.
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam said:
Today marks a significant step forward in our national security strategy, as we commission two new maritime police vessels provided by the UK and welcome a contingent of tactical police officers from the Barbados Police Service. We are grateful to the FCDO, the Government of Barbados, Commissioner of Police of Barbados, and the RSS for their valued support. These developments - alongside the launch of a targeted intelligence training programme with CARICOM IMPACS and a further regional deployment of 30 tactical officers expected before the end of the month - reflect not only the strength of our enduring partnerships and regional solidarity in tackling shared threats, but also the deliberate and determined efforts of the National Security Council to underpin law enforcement efforts and enhance our national defence posture. This is more than an operational boost - it is a step change in how we confront crime, secure our borders, and safeguard our citizens.
Celebrating Nurses Week: Honouring Our Nurses Under the Theme "Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies"
Nurses Day is recognised globally on 12 May 2025. The theme for this year, "Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies," underscores the crucial role that nurses play not only in delivering healthcare but also in driving the economic wellbeing of our communities.
Honourable Kyle Knowles, Minister responsible for Health and Human Services, would like to extend his deepest appreciation to the dedicated nurses of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Commenting on the Ministry’s Annual Nurses Conference, Honourable Knowles stated, “It was an absolute pleasure celebrating with you during this week on many levels, especially during your fourth (4) Annual Nurses Conference on Friday, 9thMay 2025.”
He added, “Nurses, you are the backbone of our healthcare system, delivering essential care, support, and advocacy for patients across the islands. Your unwavering commitment to providing quality care and excellence significantly impacts both the health and well-being of our citizens and the efficiency of our healthcare services. By investing in you, our nurses, we are not only enhancing the quality of care but also contributing meaningfully to your growth and development, thereby strengthening our nation’s economy.
“As we honour our nurses this week, let us recognise that their well-being is paramount. When we care for our nurses, we empower them to deliver the highest quality of care to our communities. This, in turn, strengthens our economy by ensuring a healthier population and a more productive workforce.”
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to supporting all nurses through ongoing professional development, mental health resources, and initiatives that promote their well-being. We recognise that a healthy and supported nursing workforce is essential for the sustainability of our healthcare system and the future prosperity of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Nurses, thank you for your hard work, compassion, resilience and tireless efforts. You form the foundation of our healthcare system, and do not go unnoticed. We thank you for your service and we are proud to stand with you this Nurses Day.