Department of Gender Affairs Celebrates 50 Years of International Women's Day
On March 8th, we join the global community to celebrate International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to honouring the achievements of women and rallying for gender equality The Department of Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Home Affairs, is excited to announce a series of events celebrating International Women's Day, under the theme "Celebrating Women: Moving Forward in Togetherness to Inspire Change" which highlights the ongoing need for action in promoting women’s rights and opportunities worldwide.
The International Women's Day celebrations aim to foster an environment of inclusion, empowerment, and appreciation for the invaluable contributions of women across all sectors of society. Through a diverse range of events and activities, the Department of Gender Affairs seeks to inspire meaningful dialogue, promote self-care, and celebrate the achievements of women from all walks of life.
This year's celebration will encompass activities across all islands, from Salt Cay to Providenciales, fostering unity and inspiring change within our communities. International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the strides women have made in various sectors, from politics and business to science and the arts. Despite the significant progress, challenges remain.
International Women’s Day is a crucial opportunity for us to reflect on our commitment to gender equality and to take tangible steps towards creating a more inclusive society,” said the Hon. Shaun Malcolm, Minister responsible for Gender Affairs. “Together, we can drive change and inspire future generations of women leaders.”
Event Schedule:
Saturday, March 8, Prayer Breakfast – Grand Turk
Location: Yellow Man and Son’s Auditorium
Time: 8:00 am
A time of reflection and unity to kick off our celebration.
Sunday, March 9, Ecumenical Service – Grand Turk
Location: New Testament Church of God, Grand Turk
Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025
Join us for a spiritual gathering highlighting women's contributions to society.
Monday, March 10, Self-Care Day – Salt Cay
Location: Salt Cay
Time: 10:00 am
Focus on health and wellness with activities promoting self-care.
High School Speech and Art Competition
Students are invited to share inspiring quotes, stories, and images of women who have significantly impacted community development and national building. The competition closes on 10 March 2025, with winners announced at the Expo on March 15, 2025.
Saturday, March 15, International Women’s Day EXPO - Providenciales
Location: Butterfield Parking Lot
Time: 10:00 am
A Day of celebration, workshops, and networking to empower women and girls.
Saturday, March 22, Self-Care Day – South Caicos
Location: South Caicos Community Centre
Another opportunity to prioritise wellness and self-love.
Time: 10:00 am
Wednesday, March 26, Women’s Brunch – Middle Caicos
Location: Middle Caicos. Community Centre
Time: 12:00
Celebrating women with inspiring messages, fellowship, and inspiration.
March 26, Photo Exhibition & Sip and Paint Event – North Caicos
Location: Ocean Breeze and Spa
Time: 6:30 pm
An artistic celebration of women's impact and contributions
One of the highlights of the celebrations is the High School Speech and Art Competition, which encourages students to explore and showcase the stories of inspiring women who have made a significant impact on community development, nation-building, and women's empowerment. By creating portraits and sharing narratives of these remarkable individuals, the competition aims to cultivate awareness and appreciation for the invaluable roles women play in shaping our society.
Furthermore, the Social Media Campaign invites individuals, organisations, and influencers to actively participate in the conversation and take action within their respective communities. By using the hashtag #SheIsEmpowered, participants can share their stories, insights, and initiatives, fostering a collective movement towards gender equality and the promotion of women's rights.
Through these multifaceted initiatives, the International Women's Day celebrations in the Turks and Caicos Islands serve as a powerful platform to honour the achievements of women, address challenges, and inspire positive change. By fostering an environment of togetherness and empowerment, these celebrations aim to pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future for all. We invite everyone to participate in these meaningful events and celebrate the strength and resilience of women within our communities. Together, we can inspire lasting change.
Guyana sending trade mission to Brazil
Guyana is sending a trade mission to Brazil this month as the two countries seek to strengthen trade relations between them.
A government statement said that the mission comprising government officials and private sector representatives will visit Boa Vista and Manaus, Brazil, from March 17- 21 and follows discussions between President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during a meeting in Georgetown on February 29, last year.
It said during that meeting President Lula highlighted his country’s interest in participating in the development of ports, roads, and airways to enhance connectivity between the Caribbean and northern Brazil and that the state leaders agreed to facilitate the mission as part of ongoing efforts to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.
The mission will explore trade and investment opportunities with Northern Brazil and expand collaboration in areas, such as agro-processing, medium to large-scale manufacturing, tourism, food distribution and the establishment of a food hub.
The team will meet with relevant authorities from the State of Roraima and the State of Amazonas, including the governors of both states, tourism agencies, the Federation of Industries, Dry Port Authorities, Importers and Exporters and the Secretariat of Agriculture and Foreign Commerce, the statement said.
Source-CMC
Haiti Gang Leader- 'I can now use explosive drones to reach anyone'
The leader of the G9 gang, Jimmy Chérizier, alias “Barbecue,” has denied being injured during a large-scale operation involving several specialised security forces and drones is Bas-Delmas over the last weekend.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé confirmed the operation targeting gangs in Bas-Delmas, home to some of Haiti’s development, and containing popular commercial zones such as Marché de Delmas.
“The Task Force created by the government and the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), in less than 48 hours, is already yielding results. A large-scale operation is underway in Bas-Delmas, and several gang members have already been neutralized. Security forces are mobilized, and a state of readiness has been declared,” Fils-Aimé wrote on the social media platform X.
“The state will not give in to terror. Haitian people, keep hope: the government stands with you in these difficult times. The fight against gangs is advancing. Haiti will take control of its destiny! The PNH is going on the offensive against armed gangs,” he added.
Source-CMC
Anguillians elect first woman head of government
Governor Julia Crouch is expected to swear in Anguilla’s first ever female head of government later on Thursday after Cora Richardson-Hodge led the main opposition Anguilla United Front (AUF) to a convincing victory on Wednesday’s general election.
The AUF won eight of the 11 seats at the stake in the Parliament with the outgoing Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM) of Premier Dr Ellis L Webster, winning the other three seats. Webster was among the victorious candidates for the party.
According to the preliminary results, the AUF won all four “at large” seats and four other constituencies.
“To the people of Anguilla, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your unwavering support, well wishes, and prayers mean the world to us. Today, you showed up, you stood strong, and you made your voices heard.
“We promise to work with you and for you to listen, to serve, and to rally around you, just as you have rallied around us. Your faith in us fuels our commitment, and we are truly humbled by your trust,” the AUF said in a statement posted on its Facebook page, just after the preliminary results were announced just before midnight.
“Anguilla, today we witness a momentous milestone in our nation’s history. Let us extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge on her resounding success at the polls!
“She has shattered barriers and etched her name in history as Anguilla’s first female Premier a testament to progress, resilience, and the power of leadership. This is more than a victory; it is an inspiration for generations to come,” the AUF added.
Apart from Richardson-Hodge, the other victorious AUF candidates are Jose Vanterpool, Jeison Byran, Shelllya Rogers, Kyle Hodge, Cordell Richardson, Cardigan Connor and Evans McNiel.
The APM’s Haydn Hughes and Merrick Richardson will join Webster on the opposition benches.
An estimated 12,432 registered voters were eligible to vote in the election here where 34 candidates were vying for 11 of the 13 seats in the House of Assembly. The other two seats are reserved for non-elected members.
In Anguilla, the 11 seats in the Parliament up for grabs are determined by direct voting. Seven members are elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting.
The other four seats are assigned to ‘at-large’ candidates elected from the entire island by plurality at-large voting.
Voters may vote up to four candidates in the at-large seats. Seven seats are needed for a majority. Voters can choose up to four candidates in the at-large seats.
The polls were the fourth to be held in the British Overseas Territories (BOT) in the Caribbean within a four month period after the voters in Montserrat in November last year returned Premier Reuben Meade to office after he had returned from a 10-year hiatus.
The others were held this year in Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda.
During the campaign leading up to the election, the main issues were the economy, particularly the controversial Goods and Services Tax(GST), management of Anguilla’s hugely successful artificial intelligence (ai) domain name, tourism, cost of living, and concerns about crime.
Source-CMC
UN Secretary General calls on international community to stand behind Haiti
The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, is urging the international community to “act quickly” as he acknowledged that each new wave of criminal attacks against Haiti’s communities and institutions “is a distressing sign that time is running out.
“I am convinced that the phased approach of the United Nations support…can reverse the shocking and rising trend in gang violence evidenced throughout 2024 and the start of this year,” Guterres said in a letter to the President of the UN Security Council, Fu Chong.
In the February 24, 2025, letter, a copy of which has been obtained by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), Guterres said the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission that was authorised by the UN Security Council in October 2023, “is slowly assuming the shape of a real multinational effort to support Haiti.
“We must all stand behind it as an immediate and credible effort to help Haiti’s national police beat back armed gangs, prevent their territorial expansion and protect the people of Haiti,” Guterres said in his 16-page letter.
The MSS was initially slated to be composed of 2,500 officers and soldiers including personnel from the Caribbean, with Kenyan police officers forming the core of the force deployed to assist the Haitian police in regaining control of key areas and protecting civilians.
But the mission is currently facing significant funding issues, with the mission being severely underfunded and unable to reach its full operational capacity due to a lack of contributions from international partners. The United States, which has been a major contributor, has recently frozen some funding further exacerbating the problem.
Last week, in his address to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders at their three-day summit in Barbados, Guterres said he intends presenting to the UN Security Council, a new initiative aimed at supporting security and stability in Haiti, similar to one being used by the global organization in Somalia.
“I intend to present to the Security Council a proposal that is very similar to the one that we have presented for Somalia, in which the UN assumes the responsibility of the structural and logistical expenditures that are necessary to put the force in place, and the salaries of the force are paid through the trust fund that already exists.
“And if the Security Council will accept this proposal, we will have the conditions to finally have an effective force to defeat the gangs in Haiti and create the conditions for democracy,” Guterres said, adding “and I urge you to continue your work and advocacy to tackle the weapons and drug trafficking that is fuelling violence across the region, including through prevention”.
Haiti is facing a crisis following the assassination in July 2021 of the then president Jovenel Moise. Criminal gangs are seeking to take complete control of the capital Port au Prince, and have launched several attacks, killing women and children among others.
In his letter, Guterres said that in order to isolate gangs and secure key areas, particularly in the capital and lower Artibonite, the MSS should be reinforced with specialised police units to protect critical infrastructure, such as seaports, airports, oil terminals and major roadways.
He said the MSS also needs “a clear mandate to seize and collect, record and dispose of arms and ammunition and other illicit materiel, in coordination with the national police.
In the letter, Guterres is urging support for the MSS rather than pushing for a full-scale U.N. peacekeeping operation, noting that using the peacekeeping assessed contributions to provide UN logistical and operational support to the MSS “will be critical.
“Contributing Member States must come together to back Kenya’s operational leadership with political and strategic direction and decision-making. I call on all Member States to remain committed to the MSS mission by providing the needed funding and personnel”.
Guterres said he is also urging countries “to bolster efforts to stem the illicit flow of arms and ammunition fuelling violence in Haiti, including through prevention and enhanced enforcement of the arms embargo”.
Guterres said that the calls for peacekeeping have not gone unheeded, noting that “the Secretariat has carefully examined this as an option and we stand ready to do so again after the MSS reaches a stabilization phase in the implementation of its mandate.
“Furthermore, a successful political transition in Haiti is central to stronger international engagement. Ultimately, international efforts to improve security conditions must be matched by national efforts to end the political crisis.
“These are two indispensable and mutually dependent tracks to move the country forward towards the restoration of the rule of law, strengthened institutions and conditions conducive to holding elections, “Guterres wrote.
The letter also outlines some other proposals the UN Secretary General has put forward for Haiti, including providing comprehensive logistic and operational support to the MSS through a new UN Support Office, which he said would be funded through both UN assessed funding and voluntary contributions.
He said areas of support might include accommodations, food, fuel and water, ground transportation, movement control, aviation, medical capability in Haiti .
He is also proposing a limited, non-lethal support package and capacity building for the national police that would be funded mostly through voluntary contributions.
There is also a proposal for strengthening the intelligence gathering and analytical capabilities of the MSS and the Haiti National Police.
In the proposal calling for the strengthening of the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti, Guterres said among its priorities the office would focus on the children, youth and women recruited by gangs. It would provide support to Haitian authorities in the jailing and prosecution of high-risk detainees.
Source-ABC
Trump says Putin will have to make concessions, US won't make Ukraine guarantees
President Donald Trump said he will not make any security guarantees to Ukraine "beyond very much," as the United States eyes signing a minerals deal with Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Western security guarantees are necessary for a ceasefire in the war with Russia.
When asked during the first Cabinet meeting of his second term on Wednesday what security guarantees he's willing to make, Trump responded: "I'm not going to make security guarantees beyond very much. We're going to have Europe do that."
"We're talking about Europe is the next-door neighbor," he continued. "But we're going to make sure everything goes well."
On the end to the war in Ukraine, Trump said he is confident about being able to reach a deal with Russia that could end the conflict and noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin will have to make concessions, though Trump didn't go into detail on what those might be.
Senior Russian and U.S. diplomats are expected to hold talks again on Thursday in Istanbul, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Zelenskyy told a press conference in Kyiv earlier on Wednesday that Ukraine has been working on a "preliminary framework" for a minerals-sharing deal with the U.S., but again warned that no agreement can succeed without sufficient Western security guarantees.
"Without future security guarantees, we will not have a real ceasefire," Zelenskyy said. "And if we don't have it, nothing will work. Nothing will work."
Source-ABC
White House formally instructs agencies to prepare for 'large-scale' layoffs and reorganization
The Trump administration is directing all federal agencies to "promptly" begin preparations for large-scale layoffs and restructuring, and submit plans for doing so by March 13, according to a new memo obtained by ABC News.
The memo, from White House budget director Russ Vought and Charles Ezell, the head of the Office of Personnel Management, was issued Wednesday morning and includes instructions for agencies to follow as they work to downsize their workforces, and in some cases, physical footprints.
The move could formally clear the way for the administration to begin dismantling or shrinking agencies like the Department of Education and will likely prompt a new flurry of lawsuits as the process takes shape.
The memo encourages agencies to "consolidate" areas that are "duplicative" and "implement technical solutions that automate routine tasks," a directive that aligns with Elon Musk's public statements about automating some of the work conducted by government workers.
Source--ABC
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, found dead in Santa Fe, New Mexico along with his wife
ABC News has confirmed that Gene Hackman, 95, the prolific and versatile two-time Oscar-winning actor whose career spanned more than five decades, was found dead Wednesday in his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 63, who he married in 1991.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Public Information Officer Denise Avila told ABC news that the couple was found during a welfare check after their neighbor called in, concerned about their well-being. Officials will be putting out a statement later this morning with more details.
According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the couple was found along with their dog, and there was no indication of foul play.
Before retiring from acting in 2004, Hackman starred in 79 films and played a variety of roles, including arch-villain Lex Luthor in Superman: The Movie, a basketball coach with a spotty past in Hoosiers, the commanding officer of a nuclear warship in Crimson Tide and a take-no-prisoners FBI agent in Mississippi Burning.
In 1971, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of tough cop Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection, and two decades later, in 1992, he won a second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a sadistic sheriff in Unforgiven. Hackman also won three Golden Globes awards and two BAFTAs.
Hackman was born Jan. 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, but grew up in up in Danville, Illinois. When Hackman was 13, his father abandoned the family, leaving his son playing in the street with a simple wave of his hand.
"I hadn't realized how much one small gesture can mean," the actor once said. "Maybe that's why I became an actor."
Before pursuing acting, Hackman lied about his age at 16 to enlist in the Marine Corps. He left the military at 19 and ended up in California, where he took classes at the Pasadena Playhouse with fellow student Dustin Hoffman. Together they moved to New York and got an apartment with another struggling actor, Robert Duvall.
Hackman's big break came in 1967 with Bonnie and Clyde, for which he earned his first Oscar nomination. That was followed by I Never Sang for My Father, which earned him his second nomination, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure and The Conversation.
In the 1980s, he alternated between leading and supporting roles in films such as Reds, Hoosiers, No Way Out and Mississippi Burning. In the '90s, after undergoing an angioplasty, he returned to the screen in Unforgiven, The Firm, Get Shorty and Crimson Tide.
After starring in The Royal Tenenbaums, Runaway Jury and his final film, 2004's Welcome to Mooseport, Hackman turned full-time to writing novels, including a western, a police thriller and three historical fiction books.
Asked by GQ in 2011 how he'd like to be remembered, Hackman said, "As a decent actor. As someone who tried to portray what was honestly given to them."
Source-ABC
Lauryn Hill pays tribute to the late Roberta Flack
Lauryn Hill has paid tribute to the star who popularized the song sampled in the Fugees hit "Killing Me Softly With His Song." Taking to Instagram, she shared some words about the late Roberta Flack, who passed away Monday at 88 years old.
"Whitney Houston once said to me that Roberta Flack’s voice was one of the purest voices she’d ever heard. I grew up scouring the records my Parents collected. Mrs. Flack was one of their favorites and quite instantly became one of mine as soon as I was exposed to her," Lauryn began, noting she was fascinated by songs like "Compared To What" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."
Lauryn also referenced "Killing Me Softly," a song Flack didn’t write, but "made hugely popular."
"[It] became the song that catapulted myself and the Fugees into household phenomena," she wrote of the track. "We wanted to honor the beauty and brilliance of this song and her performance of it to our generation. I will forever be grateful for the sensitivity and delicate power of her Love and Artistry. Rest in Grace Beloved One."
Flack heard Lori Lieberman's "Killing Me Softly" on an airplane and went on to record her rendition, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became record of the year at the 1974 Grammy Awards.
The Fugees later dropped their version of the song, which won the 1997 Grammy for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal and has since been certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.
Flack and the Fugees performed the song together at the MTV Movie Awards in 1996.
Source-ABC
RTCIPF provides Homicide Update
The homicide detectives from the Serious Crime Unit have identified the victim of yesterday’s homicide in Blue Hills.
The identity of the 34-year-old male victim is being withheld until all available family members have been notified. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force extends its condolences to the relatives of the deceased.
Initial investigations revealed that the deceased was walking along Ralph Close when several gunshots were heard. Calls were made to the Police Control Room, and several units, including medical personnel, were dispatched to the location.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed the victim on the ground, motionless, with what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
We have reason to believe that another man, identified as ‘Alexi’, who is estimated to be in his thirties, may have sustained serious injuries during the incident.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the nearest police station, dial 999, reach the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide information anonymously.
Furthermore, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.