PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS
GENERAL SITUATION: A persistent deep-layered ridge combined with dry air over the region will suppress any significant shower activity, keeping conditions dry and pleasant for the Easter Monday holiday.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BEACHGOERS AND SWIMMERS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION ALONG EASTERN AND ATLANTIC-FACING SHORES, WHERE THERE ARE MODERATE TO HIGH RISKS OF RIP CURRENTS AND ROUGH SURF.
WEATHER: Partly to mostly sunny and breezy today. Fair and breezy tonight.
ADVISORY: Small Craft Advisory remains in effect.
WINDS: Northeast at 15 to 20 knots
SEAS: Caicos Bank – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic Nearshore – 3 to 5 feet; Atlantic Offshore – 6 to 8 feet in northeasterly to easterly swell
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 85°F 29°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 73°F 23°C
SUNSET: 7:10 PM
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 03:18 PM (2.0 FT)
NEXT LOW TIDE: 09:27 PM (0.7 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST: High pressure will remain the dominant weather feature as it gradually shifts northeast of the region. Dry and stable conditions will persist across the Turks and Caicos Islands through midweek. Brief, passing showers in the wind regime will develop from Wednesday afternoon through the weekend.
TUESDAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86 °F (30 °C)
TUESDAY NIGHT: Fair, with a low around 73°F (23°C)
ADVISORY: A Small Craft Advisory will remain in effect
WINDS: Northeastern at 15 to 20 knots
SEAS: Caicos Bank – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic Nearshore – 3 to 5 feet; Atlantic Offshore – 6 to 8 feet SUNRISE: 6:23 AM
SUNSET: 7:11 PM
HIGH TIDE: 04:13 AM (2.6 FT) 04:27 PM (2.0 FT)
LOW TIDE: 10:42 AM (1.0 FT) 10:35 PM (0.7 FT)
WEDNESDAY: A low (10 percent) chance of passing showers in the afternoon. A mix of sun and clouds, with a high near 86 °F (30 °C)
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: A low (10 percent) chance of showers overnight. Mostly fair, with a low around 75 °F (24 °C)
ADVISORY: A Small Craft Advisory will remain in effect
WINDS: Northeast to east at 10 to 15 knots
SEAS: Caicos Bank – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic Nearshore – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic Offshore – 5 to 7 feet
SUNRISE: 6:22 AM
SUNSET: 7:11 PM
HIGH TIDE: 05:09 AM (2.6 FT) 05:33 PM (2.3 FT)
LOW TIDE: 11:35 AM (1.0 FT) 11:44 PM (0.7 FT)
FORECASTER: H.HAMILTON
Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Forms a Strategic Partnership with EON Reality to Enhance Learning
The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with EON Reality, the world leader in AI-assisted Virtual and Augmented Reality-based knowledge transfer for industry and education. Through this collaboration, TCICC will integrate the cutting-edge EON-XR and EON-AI platforms into its systems to revolutionise teaching and learning, offering students and educators an innovative and immersive learning environment.
Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) is participating in EON Reality’s state-of-the-art platforms via the Future Workforce Grant to enhance its educational offerings and expand its approach to teaching and learning. This partnership underscores TCICC's commitment to providing accessible and high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of its students and the broader community including pre-college outreach.
Dr. Candice Williams, CEO and President of TCICC, remarked, "This strategic collaboration with EON Reality marks a transformative leap in our journey toward educational excellence and innovation. By integrating EON-XR and EON-AI into our curriculum, we are not just enhancing learning, we are reimagining it. This powerful fusion of extended and artificial intelligence will empower our students with immersive, future-ready skills and position them to lead confidently in an increasingly technology-driven global workforce."
Mats W. Johansson, President of EON Reality, added, "We are thrilled to partner with TCICC and empower their faculty and students with transformative educational tools. Our cutting-edge immersive and personalised learning solutions will revolutionise educational methodologies across the region, equipping learners with the skills they need to thrive in the service and digital economy.
“This investment reflects my government’s unwavering commitment to building a future-ready education system,” stated the Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education. “By supporting TCICC’s partnership with EON Reality, we are equipping our students with transformative technologies that will redefine learning, strengthen national development, and position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leader in digital innovation across the region.”
Husbands, Wilson emerge victorious in Subzonal, qualify for Chess World Cup
The Barbadian duo of International Master Orlando Husbands and Women’s Fide Master Hannah Wilson created history here on Thursday by winning the Subzone 2.3.3 Open and Women’s Chess Championships 2025 respectively to qualify for the 2025 World Cup.
In doing so, the 28-year-old Husbands and the 16-year-old Wilson became the first chess players from the English-speaking Caribbean to qualify for the World Cup in its new format.
The top-ranked Husbands won the Open division after playing unbeaten to finish on 7.5 points out of a possible nine, with six wins and three draws.
Needing to avoid defeat in his final round game against Jamaican Fide Master Joshua Christie to claim the title, Husbands earned a crucial draw with the black pieces to book his spot at the World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India from October 31.
Trinidad and Tobago’s International Master Vishnu Singh was close behind in second on seven points, finishing ahead of Suriname’s Jason Yeung on the tiebreak.
Fide Masters Ryan Harper, Joshua Johnson and Kevin Cupid of Trinidad and Tobago, along with Emar Edwards of Barbados, shared fourth to seventh after they all finished on 6.5 points.
In the Women’s division, Barbados produced a brilliant performance to claim the top two positions, with Women’s Candidate Master Chanon Reifer-Belle placing second.
With Wilson a full point ahead heading into the final round, she played a superb game with the white pieces to defeat fellow Women’s Fide Master Polina Karelina of the Bahamas to end on eight points from her nine matches, with her only loss being to Reifer-Belle in round six.
The 16-year-old Reifer-Belle, who was in good position to win the tournament until her loss to Karelina in the penultimate round, had to fight tooth and nail to secure a draw against Suriname’s Victoria Kaslan in the final round, which earned her the silver medal and a Women’s Fide Master title.
Top seed Women’s Candidate Master Ysvett Hermoso Rodriguez of Trinidad finished third on six points after her final round victory over Chelsea Wahid of Saint Lucia.
CMC
S Secretary of State holds talks with Prime Minster Stuart Young on energy issues
United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Friday held talks with Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Stuart Young reaffirming Washington’s “strong” bilateral relationship with the oil rich twin island Republic.
The meeting came less than two weeks after the United States revoked the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license granted to Trinidad and Tobago to allow Shell, the National Gas Company (NGC), and contractors to explore, produce, and export natural gas from the Venezuelan Dragon Gas Field.
The license was valid until October 31, 2025, and enabled Trinidad and Tobago to pay for gas in various currencies and through humanitarian measures. On December 21, 2023, Trinidad and Tobago also secured a 30-year exploration and production license from the government of Venezuela for the Dragon gas field.
Young had said then that he was hoping to hold talks with Rubio and that Port of Spain had been given a winding down period until May 27 this year regarding the decision to revoke the licence.
The main opposition United National Congress (UNC), which is contesting the April 28 general election in Trinidad and Tobago, has made the Dragon gas project a major talking point on its platform.
US State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce in confirming Friday’s meeting, said that Rubio had spoken with Prime Minister Young “to reaffirm the strong U.S.-Trinidad and Tobago bilateral relationship, emphasizing shared priorities in regional energy security and economic cooperation.
“Secretary Rubio recognized that energy security is important to Trinidad and Tobago’s prosperity and economy. Any outcomes of sanctions upon the Maduro regime and Venezuela is in no way indicative of our relationship with Trinidad and Tobago and the value we place on it.”
Bruce said that Rubio recognized the strategic importance of Trinidad and Tobago’s energy initiatives, and Young’s effective leadership in this area.
“Both sides agreed that we are going to work very closely to find a solution that achieves U.S. objectives regarding Venezuela without harming Trinidad and Tobago,” he said, adding that Rubio welcomed Prime Minister Young’s “exploration of viable options that support the country’s energy needs while remaining consistent with US sanctions policy”.
The spokesperson said that Prime Minister Young emphasized his government’s continued commitment to responsible energy sector development and regional security cooperation.
“Secretary Rubio reiterated the United States’ support for democratic governance and long-term stability across the Caribbean,” Bruce added.
A brief statement issued in Port of Spain noted that “they both agreed to continue working towards the successful pursuit of Trinidad and Tobago’s energy initiatives…”
Earlier this month, Young had reiterated the position he had outlined in February this year that Trinidad and Tobago would continue to advocate what is best for the country and the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM) after the United States announced a new directive that eliminates oil and gas licenses for foreign companies in Venezuela.
Port of Spain had been planning to request an extension from Washington for a license granted to Shell and the NGC to develop the Dragon gas project in Venezuela.
The license, issued in early 2023, allows the companies to plan the project. The project aims to supply gas to Trinidad by 2027. The Dragon Field is located in Venezuelan waters near the maritime border with Trinidad.
In 2023, the US amended the license to permit payments to Venezuela and its state company, PDVSA, in hard currency or kind, extending its expiration to October 2025. Shell and NGC require an extension to begin production following their final investment decision (FID), which is expected this year.
Young, who held talks with Rubio in Jamaica late last month and said he had been assured that Washington would do nothing to harm Trinidad and Tobago’s economic interests, said then that revoking the OPFAC license was not unexpected, given that the Donald Trump administration had decided to rescind the OFAC license granted to US oil giant Chevron.
“This has not come necessarily as a surprise, seeing how volatile things are, not only with policy concerning Venezuela but what we are seeing, for example, with the application of tariffs,” Young said.
CMC
Strong earthquake rattles Caribbean countries
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 rocked several countries in the Eastern Caribbean on Friday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UW) said that the quake occurred at 1.31 pm (local time) and was felt in Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis, and Montserrat.
It was located at Latitude: 17.59N, Longitude: 62.06W, a depth of 33 kilometers (km).
The quake was felt 58 km northwest of the Antigua and Barbuda capital, St. John’s, 81 km northeast of Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts-Nevis, and 90km north northeast of Brades in Montserrat.
“We just had an earthquake, it was strong,” a resident of Antigua and Barbuda said on social media.
“What an auspicious time for an earthquake. On Good Friday. There was an earthquake after Jesus died on the cross. Is the earthquake a sign of things to come?. Look at the time it happened. It is a poignant reminder of the true nature of the day, and it keeps it holy,” another said.
The quake is the second to have occurred in the region in the past 48 hours.
The SRC said that a quake with a magnitude of 4.0 occurred on Wednesday and was felt in Dominica, St.Lucia, and the French island of Martinique.
CMC
TCI Delegation Participates in ECOSOC Youth Summit at the United Nations Headquarters
The Turks and Caicos Islands is proudly represented at the prestigious United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum currently taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York City. The annual summit convenes young leaders, government representatives, and key stakeholders from around the world to discuss youth-driven solutions to global challenges and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Turks and Caicos delegation comprises Mr Edgar Howell, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth Sports and Culture; Ms Oshin Whyte, Environmental Scientist and Youth Ambassador; and Ms Arielle Neely, Career Advancement and Programme Coordinator, Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.
Ms. Arielle Neely is slated to speak on Wednesday, 16 April as part of a high-level panel titled “Youth Perspectives on Regional Development: Challenges and Actions on the SDGs.” Her participation underscores the growing role of young leaders from small island developing states (SIDS) in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
Ms Neely noted, “To be able to showcase the National Internship and Apprenticeship Programme (NIAP) as a model solution for achieving SDG 8 is a landmark moment that highlights the programme’s global impact and national significance.”
The Turks and Caicos Islands faces unique development challenges, including heightened vulnerability to climate change, economic shocks, and natural disasters. Representation at international forums such as the ECOSOC Youth Forum is therefore critical. It not only provides a platform to amplify the voices and experiences of our youth but also enables meaningful engagement with global partners on issues that directly affect the future of our islands.
Ms Whyte’s participation further highlights the importance of environmental stewardship in the region, particularly as climate change continues to threaten the ecological and economic stability of SIDS. Through networking, innovation, and advocacy, the Turks and Caicos delegation is contributing to the global dialogue on how youth can be empowered to safeguard the planet and build thriving communities.
Ms Whyte noted, “It is a profound honour to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands on an international stage of this calibre. Climate change continues to pose an urgent and complex challenge, one that demands visionary thinking. This forum offers a vital platform to exchange insights and strategies with fellow change-makers committed to advancing sustainable development.”
Honourable Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, emphasised that the participation of the Turks and Caicos Islands delegation at the ECOSOC Youth Forum reflects the country’s dedication to uplifting youth voices and engaging in meaningful global dialogue for sustainable development. She noted that the delegation’s involvement not only highlights the talents and aspirations of TCI’s youth but also reinforces the government’s vision to position young people as key contributors to national and international progress.
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands remains committed to supporting youth development, climate action, and international partnerships in alignment with Vision 2040, the National Youth Policy, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Through this forum, the delegation has an opportunity to network, share knowledge, and build strategic partnerships.
Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development Leads Infrastructure Assessment Mission to South Caicos
The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development is pleased to announce the successful working visit to the island of South Caicos, which took place on Thursday, 10 April 2025. Leading the visit was the Hon. Arlington Musgrove, accompanied by his Executive Team, including Permanent Secretary Mrs Bridgette Newman, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr Garvin Thomas, Deputy Director of Planning Mr Toriano Williams, and a team of technocrats from the Department of Public Works and Estates Management. The team was joined by Hon. Tamell Seymour, Member of Parliament for South Caicos and Mrs. Yvette Cox, District Commissioner for the Island.
The purpose of the visit was to assess the state of government-owned infrastructure, explore potential new buildings for use, identify land parcels for development by the government, and address ongoing challenges faced by public facilities. This initiative underscores the Ministry's commitment to ensuring that South Caicos residents have access to well-maintained and functional public facilities.
During their time on the island, the team conducted site visits to several key locations, including the Marjorie Basden High School, Iris Stubbs Primary School, the Eliza M. Basden Aged Care and Special Needs Center, various government offices, and the South Caicos Morgue.
Hon. Musgrove emphasised the importance of the visit, stating: "Our visit to South Caicos highlights my Ministry’s dedication to identifying areas of improvement in public infrastructure and addressing the challenges that impact the community. By engaging directly with the facilities and its stakeholders, we can prioritise meaningful investments that benefit the residents of South Caicos."
As part of this ongoing initiative, the Minister and his team plan to carry out similar assessments in Grand Turk and Salt Cay in the coming weeks. Assessments on the other islands across the Turks and Caicos have already been completed, with work scheduled to commence soon. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development remains committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders and the local community to deliver tangible improvements to public infrastructure across these beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands.
KITE FLYING COMPETITION SET FOR GRAND TURK AND PROVIDENCIALES
The general public is warmly invited to attend the return of the exciting Kite Flying Competition, set to bring fun, creativity, and community spirit to the skies of the Turks and Caicos Islands this Easter weekend.
The competition will be held on two days:
? Grand Turk – Saturday, April 19, at the Library Tennis Court
? Providenciales – Monday, April 21, at The Bight Park
Both events will start at 10:00a.m and promises to be a day full of family-friendly entertainment, colorful kites, and friendly competition.
Participants of all ages are encouraged to bring their best kites, showing off their creativity and kite flying skills. Prizes will be awarded for the Largest Kite, Smallest Kite, Most Traditional Kite and more.
All are invited to come out and enjoy local food vendors, music, and a high-flying display of culture and craftsmanship.
Don’t miss this celebration of culture, creativity and community joy!
US issues warning over new Zambian cyber-security law
The US embassy in Zambia has warned its citizens to be wary of a new "intrusive" cyber-security law introduced in the southern African country.
The embassy issued an alert telling Americans "in or planning to visit Zambia of a new law that requires the interception and surveillance of all electronic communications in the country".
This includes calls, emails, texts and streamed content "in-country to assess if they include any transmission of 'critical information,' a term the law defines so broadly that it could apply to almost any activity", the embassy says.
Zambia's government said the law was needed to tackle online fraud and child pornography, as well as the spread of disinformation.
Following the alert from the US embassy, Zambia's foreign ministry released a statement saying that the new Cyber Security Act was "not intended to invade any person's privacy" - whether Zambians or foreigners.
"The Law does not authorize mass or random surveillance. Any interception or data request requires a court-issued warrant," it said.
The statement added that the "classification of 'critical information'" referred to national security, "and any assessments or actions taken are carried out by authorized institutions, in line with due process".
There are fears that the law could be use against anyone who criticises the government, especially with elections due next year.
Some Zambians have expressed concern that a new cybersecurity unit is being set up in the president's office.
Joan Chirwa, founder of the Free Press Initiative Zambia campaign group, told the BBC "it was a sad day for Zambia".
She said the law wouldn't "just affect journalists, or civil society organisations. It will affect everyone in Zambia".
The new measure empowers a law enforcement officer with a warrant to enter any premises to search and seize a computer or computer system containing material that is either evidence necessary to prove an offence or acquired by a person as a result of an offence.
It also allows the government to extradite Zambians deemed to have committed any offence under the law, with a range of jail terms prescribed.
Offenders may be fined or jailed for between five and 15 years, depending on the crime they have committed.
Among other provisions, the legislation requires Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies to proactively intercept all electronic communications.
It was signed into law by President Hakainde Hichilema on 8 April with very little publicity and the first many Zambians knew about it was when the US embassy posted its alert on Facebook.
"As this new law introduces an intrusive surveillance ecosystem significantly different from privacy protection provisions that prevail in many countries, the embassy of the United States encourages Americans living in Zambia or considering visiting the country to carefully assess the implications of this law and adjust accordingly," the US statement said.
The alert came as a surprise to many as the US has widely been seen to enjoy a warm relationship with the Hichilema-led administration, although the ambassador has recently been critical of alleged corruption in the government.
Zambia had enjoyed a frosty relationship with the US after the former government expelled its pro-gay rights ambassador Daniel Foote in 2019 but relations had improved since Hichilema was elected in 2021.
Social commentator and civil rights activist Laura Miti accused the US embassy of "hypocrisy", while also labelling the new law "tyrannical".
"Until Edward Snowden revealed the matter, the US secretly surveilled its citizens for years. He remains in exile and one of the most wanted people by American law enforcement," she wrote on Facebook. "That raises an eyebrow about this from the American embassy. Hypocritical really."
However, she also condemned the new law.
"This... is a very tyrannical law which the government only needs because it feels insecure."
In 2021, while still in opposition, Hichilema opposed a similar law when the former government wanted to pass it, writing: "The Cyber Security and Crime Bill is not about preventing cyber-bullying. It is about clamping down on freedom of expression and spying on citizens."
Opposition lawmaker Miles Sampa has accused Hichilema of performing a U-turn now that he is president.
"My question is when did you change this stance to now sign a law that almost 100% prohibits us citizens from expressing ourselves on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, etc., without being jailed for 25 years or life imprisonment," he wrote on Facebook.
"In the current state of the Cyber Laws that you have assented to, Mr President, you may as well also sign a martial law (State of Emergency) to discard democracy so we all stop talking and leave it to your good self to express alone."
Source-BBC
Foreign nationals among victims in Jet Set tragedy
At least 19 foreign nationals are among the 230 people identified following the deadly roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub on April 8 in Santo Domingo.
The confirmation comes from an official report issued by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) and the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, with support from the Scientific Police, National Police, and Central Electoral Board.
Among the deceased are 10 Venezuelans, three Dominican-Americans, two French citizens, and one person each from Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Haiti.
Authorities confirmed that all victims were identified through proper legal protocols, ensuring their remains were returned to their families.
The incident is being described as one of the most tragic in recent Dominican history.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing.
Source-CMC