Millions without power as outages hit Spain, Portugal and parts of France, Spanish officials say
Millions of people in Spain, Portugal and parts of southern France lost power on Monday following a "severe disruption" in the European electrical system, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.
The cause of the disruption is still unknown, Sanchez said in remarks Monday evening local time.
The Spanish government said it called an emergency crisis meeting to fix the situation as soon as possible.
Red Eléctrica, the corporation that operates the national electricity grid in Spain, said it is working on restoring power to mainland Spain and Portugal. In an update Monday night local time, they said nearly half of the substations have power again. Earlier in the afternoon, they said electricity should be fully restored within six to 10 hours.
Authorities, meanwhile, asked people to stay at home, while emergency generators were also being put in place.
Airports in the country were not closed, but they are seeing massive delays.
Source- ABC
Trinidad and Tobago electing new government
The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) says it is confident that Monday’s general election will be conducted in a safe environment as more than one million voters cast their ballots for electing a new government in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Our team has worked diligently to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote safely and confidently as they participate in this vital democratic exercise,” aid the EBC’s chief elections officer, Fern Narcis-Scope.
The EBC has confirmed its readiness for the elections following “extensive planning, rigorous training, and collaboration with stakeholders to execute what is perhaps the single most logistically complex exercise a country can undertake”.
The EBC said that all 2,316 polling stations have been established and are equipped with the necessary staffing, materials and supplies and that inspections have been conducted to ensure that each location meets high standards of accessibility, functionality, and safety.
“Under the stewardship of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Commission has collaborated with the police to ensure that robust security arrangements have been instituted to safeguard voters, election personnel, and the integrity of the electoral process.”
While there are 161 candidates and 17 political parties contesting the 41 seats in the Parliament, the race as it has been over the past decades, will be a straight fight between the incumbent People’ National Movement (PNM) and the main opposition United National Congress (UNC).
There are an estimated 1,154,708 persons who are eligible to cast ballots with the polls being observed by teams from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Commonwealth.
Polling stations opened at 6.00 am (local time) and will close 12 hours later.
Prime MInister Stuart Younghas described Monday as “a decisive day,” and in a video posted on his Facebook page said he was encouraging voters to vote.
“Join me as we build a new Trinidad and Tobago on a stable platform. Join me as we write a bold new chapter,” the 50-year-old senior counsel said in his first election as head of the ruling PNM.
UNC leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar, is urging voters to remove the PNM from office, describing Young as a “fake leader”.
“Go out and vote for the candidates of the UNC coalition of interests on election day. Your future and that of your loved ones are in your hands,” she said, adding that her 73-year-old body “has aged from the years of battering, bruising, humiliation, ridicule, abuse and insult”.
Source-CMC
Trump has lowest 100-day approval rating in 80 years according to Polls
Donald Trump has the lowest 100-day job approval rating of any president in the past 80 years, with public pushback on many of his policies and extensive economic discontent, including broad fears of a recession, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll.
Yet he still beats the Democrats in Congress in terms of trust to handle the nation's main problems.
Thirty-nine percent of respondents in this ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll said they approve of how Trump is handling his job as president, down 6 percentage points from February, while 55% said they disapprove.
The previous low in approval for a president at or near 100 days in office, in polls dating to 1945, was Trump's 42% in 2017.
Source-ABC
Mourners bid farewell to Pope Francis
Pope Francis was laid to rest Saturday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome after dying at 88 years old on April 21.
More than 250,000 people turned out to bid farewell to the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The crowd at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican included many young people and world leaders.
At his funeral, Pope Francis was remembered and venerated as a pontiff with "strength and serenity" who modeled his pontificate on St. Francis of Assisi. The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, delivered the homily in front of mourners in St. Peter's Square.
The mourners assembled in St. Peter’s Square broke into applause as pallbearers carried the pope's coffin outside. It was the site of Pope Francis' last official act, when he celebrated Easter Sunday a day before he died on April 21.
Source-ABC
PUBLIC URGED TO CONTINUE MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS TO NHIB
The Ministry of Health and Human Services assures the public that the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) remains operational and fully committed to providing access to quality healthcare services for all insured persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
As the organisation undergoes administrative review and restructuring, the Ministry emphasizes that the Board is taking all necessary steps to maintain stability and continuity of care. Subscribers are urged to continue making their regular contributions, which are essential to ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services at the highest standards, both locally and abroad.
Interim Chair of the NHIB, Mrs. Shonia Been, said, “The Board is actively working to maintain a seamless experience for subscribers and providers alike. “We are focused on ensuring that healthcare access remains uninterrupted and that the trust placed in us by the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands is honoured.”
The NHIB encourages all insured persons, employers, and self-employed individuals to continue making monthly contributions. These payments are critical to sustaining the national health insurance system and enabling the Board to meet its obligations to local and overseas healthcare providers, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the care they need without disruption.
Commenting on the NHIB, the Minister of Health and Human Services, the Hon. Kyle Knowles, stated, “This is a time of renewal and strengthening for the NHIB. While internal assessments are ongoing, the public can be confident that the Board remains open for business and that healthcare delivery is not only stable but being actively protected and improved. We urge all subscribers to continue making their monthly payments, as their contributions directly support our ability to deliver care to every resident who needs it.”
To further enhance transparency and accountability, contracted examiners, Interpath, have commenced a comprehensive forensic examination of the Board’s operations and financials. This process aims to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the NHIB continues to operate in the best interest of the people.
The public is further advised that all NHIB offices throughout the Islands are open for business and ready to assist with queries, claims, registrations, and payments. Customer service teams are available to support subscribers and guide them through any concerns.
As the organisation continues to strengthen its internal operations and governance, it reaffirms its mission to promote the health and well-being of every resident through a fair and sustainable insurance system.
Cayman Islands hold general election and referendum on same day
The Cayman Islands government says the referendum to be held on Wednesday, the same day voters cast their ballots for a new government, will not be binding on the incoming administration.
Caymanians will have the opportunity to weigh in on three national questions, namely, should the Cayman Islands develop cruise berthing infrastructure, do they support the introduction of a national lottery in the Islands and do they support the decriminalisation of the consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis.
In a statement, the Cayman Islands government said that while a general election is used to choose representatives, referendums give voters the opportunity to express their views directly on key issues.
“The upcoming referendum, initiated by the Cayman Islands Government, invites voters to share their views on three national topics and help shape future decisions. However, this referendum is non-binding, meaning the result will guide the government but will not automatically lead to a change in law or policy.
“A ‘yes’ vote does not approve any past proposals or existing plans. It simply signals that the public believes the issue is worth exploring further,” the statement added.
It said that “this particular referendum is non-binding because it was initiated by the government, rather than through a people-led petition process under the constitution”.
According to the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, a referendum triggered by a petition of at least 25 per cent of registered voters is legally binding. In contrast, when a referendum is called by the government, it does not carry the same legal requirement to act on the results.
The government defended the decision to hold the referendum at the same time of the general election on Wednesday saying “this referendum is being held in response to ongoing public interest and discussion around the three issues.
“The government recognises that these matters have gained national attention and that many people have strong views. Rather than making a unilateral decision, the government chose to hold a referendum, offering a transparent and structured way for voters to share their views directly.”
Meanwhile, an estimated 23,829 voters are registered to cast ballots for the 19 members of parliament who will be directly elected via plurality vote. The Attorney General, appointed by the Governor, and the Deputy Governor, appointed by the British monarch, serve as additional ex officio members.
The elections, which will be observed by an election mission organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region, follow a sequence of political maneuvering in the British Overseas Territory since the 2021 elections when independent candidates won 12 seats and e People’s Progressive Party (PPM) winning seven seats.
A government was formed by independent Wayne Panton, who became premier, but in November 2023, 12 legislators joined the new United People’s Movement (UPM) under the leadership of Julianna O’Connor-Connolly, who then became head of the government.
But on October 31, last year, four UPM MPs resigned from the government, resulting in it losing its majority in parliament.
In February and March 2025, three of seven members of the minority UPM government, including O’Connor-Connolly, joined PPM to seek re-election.
The UPM has since stated that it will not contest the 2025 elections and will dissolve. The four former members of the UPM formed a new political party, the Caymanian Community Party (TCCP), headed by Andre Ebanks.
The opposition PPM will contest the elections with Joey Hew as its leader following the resignations of the Speaker and former premier, Alden McLaughlin and former deputy premier Moses Kirkconnell.
The Cayman Islands National Party, which is a new party formed by Dan Scott, a former regional managing partner at Ernst& Young, is contesting the polls.
All polling stations will open at 7.00 am (local time) and close at 6.00 pm (local time), the Elections Office said.
Source-CMC
Blue Hills Homicide
The Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is investigating a homicide that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 27th April 2025, in Blue Hills, Providenciales.
At approximately 12:30 am, Tactical Unit officers on patrol responded to reports of gunfire at Ralph Close Evangelic Yard.
Officers arrived at the scene and discovered an unresponsive male body behind a wooden
An apartment with what seemed to be gunshot wounds to the body. The deceased has been identified as FRITZNEL BELIARD, 43, of Limbe, Haiti.
We extend our condolences to Mr. Beliard's family and friends.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that a group of individuals were gathered in the yard playing music and socializing when two armed men approached them. Members of the group ran off in different directions. Shots were heard, and Beliard was found shortly after.
Investigators are yet to ascertain a definitive motive for the shooting and are exploring all angles.
A life has been taken senselessly, and we urge the public to assist in bringing those responsible to justice.
We urge anyone with information regarding this incident to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.
Shooting Incident in Grand Turk
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is investigating a shooting incident that occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday, 26th April 2025, at a business establishment along Church Folly, Grand Turk.
Four individuals sustained gunshot wounds during the incident: a 19-year-old male, a 19-year-old female, a 28-year-old male, and a 24-year-old male and were rushed to the Cockburn Town Medical Centre (CTMC) for immediate treatment.
Investigations have revealed that this was a targeted attack. As part of our immediate response, Additional resources have been deployed to Grand Turk to strengthen the current team of officers on the island.
We are calling on members of the public who may have information or CCTV footage that could assist investigators to contact the Grand Turk Police Station at 1 (649) 946-2299, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers 1-800-8477 (TIPS).
Individuals can also download and use the Crime Stoppers P3 app to submit information anonymously.
Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Soundgarden among 2025 Rock Hall Inductees
Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Soundgarden and The White Stripes are among the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, who were announced Sunday on American Idol.
Also getting into the Rock Hall this year are "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" singer Cyndi Lauper, “Twist” king Chubby Checker and rap group Outkast.
While they've both been eligible for decades, Bad Company, the supergroup featuring former Free members Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke, and Cocker are getting in on their first nomination, as is Checker.
“Each of these inductees created their own sound and attitude that had a profound impact on culture and helped to change the course of Rock & Roll forever,” said John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Their music gave a voice to generations and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps.”
The Rock Hall will also induct the late “Werewolves of London” singer Warren Zevon and rap group Salt-N-Pepa with the Musical Influence Award, while the late keyboardist/session man Nicky Hopkins, renowned session bassist Carole Kaye and R&B producer Thom Bell will be inducted with the Musical Excellence Award.
Among the 2025 nominees who didn’t get in this year are Billy Idol, The Black Crowes, Oasis, Mariah Carey, Mexican rock band Maná and Phish, who won the fan vote.
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Nov. 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and will stream live on Disney+. A highlights special will air on ABC at a later date and stream on Hulu the next day.
Source-ABC
Trump asks Supreme Court to lift block on transgender military ban
The Trump administration has made a new emergency request of the U.S. Supreme Court seeking an immediate stay of a nationwide injunction blocking the ban on openly transgender military service members.
Solicitor General John Sauer said the injunction, issued by a district court in Washington, usurps the authority of the president in determining who can serve in the nation's armed forces and runs counter to the high court's own decision in the first Trump administration to allow the ban to move forward.
The Trump administration's policy on transgender soldiers would be a "de facto blanket prohibition" that seeks "to eradicate transgender service," 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Benjamin Settle, a George W. Bush nominee, wrote when issuing the preliminary injunction in the case, Trump v. Shilling, on March 27.
The case was filed by a group of seven transgender service members and one transgender person who wishes to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.
Source-ABC