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
California becomes the first state to sue Trump over tariffs
California is suing President Donald Trump's administration over the tariffs it has imposed on most of the U.S.'s trading partners, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Wednesday, the first state to do so since Trump announced his sweeping tariffs earlier this month.
Speaking from a Central Valley almond farm, Newsom laid out the state's place in the global economy and the impacts the tariffs are having and will have on the state.
"No state is poised to lose more than California," Newsom said.
The governor said 43% of that state's almonds, pistachios, and dairy products are export-dependent on California.
The state's lawsuit targets Trump's use of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, which Trump is using to justify the tariffs. It is similar to one filed Monday by a group of small businesses against the administration.
Source- ABC
Fed Chair Powell sounds alarm on tariffs, sending stocks lower
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he expects President Donald Trump's tariffs policy to cause higher inflation and slower economic growth, complicating potential central bank efforts to ease the fallout.
"The level of the tariff increases announced so far is significantly larger than anticipated. The same is likely to be true of the economic effects, which will include higher inflation and slower growth," Powell told the audience at the Economic Club of Chicago.
Powell's remarks immediately sent stocks lower as investors digested the top central banker's concern about the tariffs.
Wednesday's address marked Powell's first public remarks since Trump last week paused his so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on most countries for 90 days.
"Markets are struggling with a lot of uncertainty and that means volatility," Powell said on Wednesday. Still, he added, the volatility reflected the significance of the policy changes, rather than abnormal behavior in the markets.
Source-ABC
Scoreboard roundup
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Hawks 95, Magic 120
Grizzlies 116, Warriors 121
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Devils 5, Bruins 4
Maple Leafs 4, Sabres 0
Blackhawks 4, Senators 3
Blue Jackets 3, Flyers 0
Panthers 1, Lightning 5
Capitals 3, Islanders 1
Utah Hockey Club 1, Blues 6
Ducks 2, Wild 3
Golden Knights 4, Flames 5
Kings 6, Kraken 5
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Diamondbacks 10, Marlins 4
Mariners 4, Reds 8
Nationals 3, Pirates 0
Giants 4, Phillies 6
Red Sox 7, Rays 4
Guardians 6, Orioles 3
Royals 2, Yankees 4
Braves 3, Blue Jays 6
Tigers 0, Brewers 5
Mets 3, Twins 6
Athletics 12, White Sox 3
Astros 2, Cardinals 0
Angels 0, Rangers 4
Cubs 2, Padres 1
Rockies 2, Dodgers 6
Sean 'Diddy' Combs asks judge to exclude Cassie video from trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs formally asked the judge overseeing his criminal prosecution on Thursday to exclude one of the more dramatic pieces of evidence from his upcoming trial: a March 2016 video from the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles that depicts Combs kicking and dragging then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
The defense asserted that CNN, which first obtained and aired the video, "altered, manipulated, sped-up, and edited" the footage such that it is "wholly inaccurate" and inadmissible.
CNN has said it never altered the video and did not destroy the original copy of the footage, as the defense alleged.
"The more complete footage of the incident — in contrast to the government’s sensationalized CNN cut — contradicts the government’s representations,” defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro wrote in a court filing last November first alleging the manipulation.
Combs apologized after the video came out publicly and said, "I take full responsibility for my actions in that video."
In a video posted to Instagram in May 2024, shortly after the video was released, Diddy acknowledged the video and apologized, saying, "It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that."
"I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses," he continued. "My behavior on that video is inexcusable."
Now, the defense has asked the judge to hold a hearing at which a forensic video analyst would testify the video is "not a fair and accurate reflection of the actions depicted."
Federal prosecutors have yet to respond in court papers. They've previously pointed to the video as evidence of sex-trafficking Cassie for a freak off in which she was forced to engage in sex acts with male prostitutes. Prosecutors also previously alleged the video was evidence of the danger Combs could pose to women if released on bail.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to five federal counts and is scheduled to go on trial in May. His attorneys have separately asked for a two-month delay to resolve other evidentiary disputes.
3-DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST
GENERAL SITUATION: The combination of troughing and increased moisture over the Turks and Caicos Islands will support a wet weather pattern across the islands today.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: LOCALIZED FLOODING IS POSSIBLE IN AREAS OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TODAY, ALONG WITH A MARGINAL TO SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.
WEATHER: Mostly cloudy to overcast with a high (90 percent) chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Partly cloudy with a medium (40 percent) chance of scattered showers tonight. New total rainfall amounts between half an inch to an inch.
WINDS: Variable at 10 knots or less, becoming northeast to east at 10 to 15 knots
SEAS: Caicos Bank & Atlantic Nearshore – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic Offshore – 3 to 5 feet
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 81°F 27°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 73°F 23°C
SUNSET: 7:08 PM
NEXT LOW TIDE: 05:23 PM (0.7 FT)
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 11:59 PM (2.6 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST: The surface trough will linger near the Turks and Caicos Islands on Thursday, maintaining some instability across the islands. By the weekend, a high-pressure system is expected to emerge off the U.S. East Coast, tightening the pressure gradient and leading to strong, gusty winds across the area into the weekend.
THURSDAY: A low (20 to 30 percent) chance of showers in the morning and the afternoon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 86°F (27°C)
THURSDAY NIGHT: Isolated showers possible in the evening. Mostly fair, with a low around 75°F (24°C)
WINDS: Northeast to east at 10 knots or less, increasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon
SEAS: Caicos Bank – 3 feet or less; Atlantic Nearshore – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic Offshore – 4 to 6 feet
SUNRISE: 6:27 AM
SUNSET: 7:09 PM
LOW TIDE: 06:24 AM (1.0 FT) 06:00 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 11:56 AM (2.0 FT) - - -
FRIDAY: A low (10 percent) chance of isolated showers in the morning. A mix of sun and clouds in the morning, then mostly sunny in the afternoon, with a high near 86°F (27°C).
FRIDAY NIGHT: Fair, with a low around 75°F (24°C).
ADVISORY: A Small Craft Advisory will come into effect for the Atlantic waters and sheltered waters.
WINDS: Northeast at 15 to 20 knots, increasing to 20 to 25 knots at night.
SEAS: Caicos Bank – 2 to 4 feet; Atlantic Nearshore – 3 to 5 feet; Atlantic Offshore – 6 to 8 feet
SUNRISE: 6:26 AM
SUNSET: 7:09 PM
LOW TIDE: 07:07 AM (1.0 FT) 06:42 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 12:33 PM (2.0 FT) - - -
TCI Builds Regional Resilience with Advanced Training in Arbovirus Detection and Surveillance
In a stride towards enhancing regional health security, the Turks and Caicos Islands proudly hosted a week-long, high-level laboratory training focused on strengthening the diagnostic detection and surveillance of arboviruses. Held from 24 – 28 March 2025, the intensive workshop was facilitated by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) under the framework of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Zika Programme. The sessions were conducted under the expert guidance of Nikhella Winter-Reece, an internationally recognised Laboratory Technologist Consultant with the European Union Division of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control, Laboratory Services and Network.
Launched in 2019, the EDF Zika Programme has become a beacon of hope and progress for the Caribbean, delivering vital support to bolster public health systems against mosquito-borne threats. Through this programme, countries like the TCI continue to benefit from regional expertise, collaborative knowledge exchange, and state-of-the-art practices, which reinforces our collective ability to protect lives and livelihoods.
Participants in the workshop engaged in both theoretical and hands-on practical sessions designed to sharpen laboratory techniques, improve the availability and use of surveillance data, and strengthen multi-country coordination in responding to arboviral outbreaks. This training not only empowered local health professionals but also reaffirmed the TCI’s commitment to the fight against emerging public health threats.
Mosquito-borne illnesses—such as Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Yellow Fever—remain an ongoing global challenge, with over 700 million infections and more than one million deaths reported annually according to the World Health Organisation. These viruses, spread by infected mosquitoes and other arthropods, often flourish in warm weather, making tropical and subtropical regions particularly vulnerable. Infections can range from mild fevers and rashes to more severe complications, underscoring the need for timely detection and effective prevention strategies.
“The battle against arboviral diseases is a shared responsibility,” stated Ms. Arlene Siebs, Director of the National Public Health Laboratory. “Through initiatives like this, we’re not just improving local capacity—we’re building a regional network of skilled professionals who are better equipped to respond swiftly and effectively.”
Commenting on the workshop, Honourable Minister of Health and Human Services Kyle Knowles stated: “The National Public Health Laboratory continues to push the boundaries of diagnostic excellence by embracing cutting-edge technology and fostering strategic partnerships. This training represents a proactive investment in the health and well-being of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands—and by extension, the Caribbean. This workshop underscores the power of regional solidarity and the importance of sustained investment in public health infrastructure. With every training, every test, and every shared lesson, the Caribbean moves one step closer to a healthier, more resilient future. The TCI was happy to host such a critical workshop.”