Five Cays Wounding Report
Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Serious Crime Unit are actively investigating a shooting incident in Five Cays, Providenciales.
Preliminary reports state at around 10:40 am today (December 26), the Police Control Room received a report that gunshots were heard at a location in Five Cays.
Upon arrival at the given location, officers observed a lone male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds about his body lying on the roadway. Emergency Medical Technicians responded to the scene and transported the male to a medical facility.
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information on illegal activities anonymously. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.
Two Illegal Firearms Seized
On 23rd December 2024, police officers had cause to search a consignment of goods at a shipping company.
During the search, a significant amount of cannabis was discovered, along with one firearm.
Additionally, on 24th December 2024, officers attached to the Response and Operations Unit (Grand Turk), while on routine patrol, observed a male individual acting suspiciously. Officers approached the individual and searched him, during which a firearm was recovered.
The 30-year-old male was arrested and remains in custody.
Further investigations into both matters remain ongoing.
On 24 December 2024, officers of the Tactical Unit, in collaboration with partner agencies - TCI Regiment and Border Force, conducted an operation in Dock Yard.
During the operation, a known gang member was arrested on suspicion of possession of ammunition. The individual remains in custody, and investigations are continuing.
Commissioner of Police (ag) Fitz Bailey said, “These operations form part of ongoing efforts to target individuals involved in organized crime and reduce the availability of illegal weapons and ammunition in our communities. In light of the increased activity during the festive season, law
enforcement agencies are committed to maintaining the security and peace of the TCI. Officers will conduct focused operations within various communities to deter criminal behaviour, particularly illegal weapons, illicit drugs, and organized crime. These operations ensure a safe environment for residents and visitors to enjoy the holiday season without fearing criminal activity.”
Commissioner Bailey added, “Due to these operations, traffic congestion may occur. Thus, we advise you to leave home earlier to arrive at your destination on time. We thank you for your patience and cooperation at the various vehicle checkpoints throughout the Islands.”
Pope urges the world to put down arms, 'overcome divisions' in Christmas message
Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday urged "all people of all nations" to find courage during this Holy Year "to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions" plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia.
The pontiff's "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) address serves as a summary of the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, "even [with] our enemies."
"I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions,'' the pope said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to throngs of people below.
The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing God's mercy, which "unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge."
He called for arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, "particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave," as well as Lebanon and Syria "at this most delicate time."
He cited a deadly outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the suffering of the people of Myanmar, forced to flee their homes by "the ongoing clash of arms." The pope likewise remembered children suffering from war and hunger, the elderly living in solitude, those fleeing their homelands, those who have lost their jobs and people who are persecuted for their faith.
Pilgrims were lined up on Christmas Day to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica, as the Jubilee is expected to bring some 32 million Catholic faithful to Rome.
King Charles praises health-care workers in 1st Christmas address since cancer diagnosis
King Charles used his annual Christmas message to hail the selflessness of those who have cared for him and the Princess of Wales this year as both were receiving cancer treatments.
The 76-year-old monarch said in a pre-recorded message released Wednesday that he and his family are "continually" impressed by those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
"From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported other members of my family and me through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed," he said in a prerecorded speech.
The broadcast came several hours after the monarch waved to a large crowd of onlookers who traditionally gather to see the Royal family attend Christmas Day services at a church on Sandringham, the estate on the windswept North Sea coast that has served as a family retreat for generations.
The King's Christmas speech is the third since he ascended the throne after Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, but the first since he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February.
Millions of people in the U.K. and across the Commonwealth watch the monarch's holiday message, and many households time Christmas lunch around it.
The King's treatment, which is believed to be ongoing, forced him to step away from public appearances for two months. He has slowly returned to public life recently and was in good spirits on a tour of Australia and the South Pacific in October.
Source-CBC
HOLIDAY WEATHER FORECAST
The Year in Music 2024: Women run the world of hip-hop
When Beyoncé told us in 2011 that girls run the world, it seemed she was talking about the hip-hop genre. 2024 saw a slew of projects from female emcees that charted or included singles that did.
-- Flo Milli dropped Fine Ho, Stay in March, the last of a trilogy that included mixtapes Ho, Why Is You Here? and You Still Here, Ho? It featured her first Hot 100 hit, "Never Lose Me," and its remix featuring SZA and Cardi B.
-- In Sexyy We Trust: While Donald Trump was running for president, Sexyy Red was running her own campaign. Her mixtape peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200, with "Get It Sexyy" and "U My Everything" making it on the Hot 100. "Get It Sexyy" has been certified Gold, and the album was supported by the Sexyy Red 4 President tour.
-- Latto paired the summer with some Sugar Honey Iced Tea. The album debuted at #15 on the Billboard 200 and was later accompanied by her first headlining tour. "Put It on Da Floor," "Sunday Service" and the now- Grammy-nominated "Big Mama" all made the Hot 100, with the first peaking at #13 following the Cardi B-assisted remix. "Brokey" was accompanied by a viral challenge.
-- GloRilla delivered a Glorious album that debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200. The album is home to Hot 100 hit "TGIF," which Rihanna danced to in a viral clip. Billboard named her the hottest female rapper of the year and chose "TGIF" as the 16th best song of 2024. Glorious made the cut for Rolling Stone's Best Albums of 2024 list, and "TGIF" is Time magazine's Best Song of 2024.
-- Doechii made headlines off her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, supported by lead singles "Boom Bap" and "Nissan Altima," now nominated for a Best Rap Performance Grammy. ABNH was nominated for Best Rap Album, while Doechii's up for Best New Artist. Her recent performances on Tiny Desk and Stephen Colbert's talk show were highly praised.
-- JT released her first solo mixtape, City Cinderella. It out-charted any of City Girls' releases when it debuted at #27 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and included singles "No Bars," "Sideways" and "Okay," her first solo charting song on the Hot 100.
-- Megan was supported by four singles: "Cobra," "Boa," "Mamushi" and "Hiss," Megan Thee Stallion's first solo #1 on the Hot 100 and the Billboard 200. The other singles peaked within the top 40. Megan debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, becoming her fifth top 10; its deluxe edition, Megan: Act II, dropped on Oct. 25.
-- Kash Doll and Ice Spice also released albums, with Nicki Minaj delivering a 10th anniversary edition of The Pinkprint and another version of Pink Friday 2.
T&T Government urges people to take advantage of tax amnesty
The Trinidad and Tobago government is urging people to take advantage of the tax amnesty which provides a waiver on the penalties for the duration of October to the end of this month.
In a statement, the Ministry of Finance said that the tax amnesty covers all prior tax periods up to December 31st, 2023 and with regards to property tax, the amnesty covers up to December 31st, 2024.
“The Inland Revenue Division (IRD), Ministry of Finance, invites all relevant members of the public to take advantage of the tax amnesty,” the statement said.
It said that the amnesty covers individual income tax, pay as you earn (PAYE) taxes, health surcharge, corporation tax and business levy as well as green fund levy, value added tax, petroleum profits tax and club gaming tax among others.
During his budget presentation in September, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said that the government was moving forward with the establishment of the the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority, which he said, was critically needed, to address the tax gap, due to tax evasion, which has been estimated at up to TT$10 billion (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cent) per year.
Source-CMC
RTC Launches new app on December 24 in IOS & Android stores
Radio Turks & Caicos (RTC) is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new mobile app, now available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Starting at noon on December 24, 2024, listeners can experience an upgraded, user-friendly interface that gives them access to RTC’s full range of stations and content at their fingertips.
The updated RTC app features RTC Radio One, heard on 89.1fm islandwide, along with RTC 5—a dynamic platform that includes 24-hour TCI local music, the 24-hour party station, RTC Gospel, offering 24-hour uplifting music and programs, and the RTC Hit Music station for the latest chart-topping hits.
In addition, the app includes a podcast section, allowing users to catch up on RTC’s shows, news, and features they may have missed. It also provides live weather updates and breaking news stories from around the Islands.
“We wanted to offer our listeners a more seamless and accessible experience, especially during this festive season,” said Chris Jarrett, Director of Radio Turks & Caicos. “Launching the app on Christmas Eve feels particularly special because it brings our listeners closer to the heart of our programming while they’re spending time with family and friends. Whether it’s tuning into the latest news, enjoying some music, or catching up on missed shows or parliamentary debates, we want to be there with our audience in real-time, wherever they are.”
The RTC app is available now for download and is completely free. Simply search for Radio Turks and Caicos in your app store and enjoy all the exciting new features.
Download the RTC App on the 24-12-24 at 12noon – Available in both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago gear up for Torneo del Sol in Mexico
Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago National Under-17 football teams have been invited to the prestigious football tournament, the Torneo del Sol hosted by the Mexican Football Federation.
The event, set to run from January 6-11, 2025, will feature 16 teams, including Mexico’s U-17 National team, alongside squads from Guatemala, Panama, and clubs from Mexico’s Professional Third Division League.
This tournament offers a vital opportunity for the young Reggae Boyz and young Soca Warriors as they ramp up preparations for the Concacaf U-17 World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ), scheduled for February 2025 in Guatemala.
Head Coach of the Young Reggae Boyz team Altimont ‘Freddie’ Butler highlighted the significance of competing at the Torneo del Sol.
“This tournament is an ideal opportunity for us to face high-calibre teams as we fine-tune our preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers. It allows us to evaluate our players in a competitive, high-pressure setting, helping us make the necessary adjustments as we finalize the squad.”
Coach Butler added that the final roster for the Concacaf WCQ will be confirmed after the conclusion of the tournament in Mexico.
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts lauded the invitation as a testament to Jamaica’s growing reputation in international football.
“We are grateful to the Mexican Federation for this invitation. It reflects the respect our football program has garnered globally. This experience will be invaluable for our players as they prepare for the challenge ahead in the Concacaf WCQ.”
Source-CMC
Child hospitalized after holiday drone show in Orlando goes badly wrong
A child was hospitalized after being hit by one of several drones that crashed into each other during a Saturday night aerial holiday show in Orlando, authorities said.
The boy and his family were watching the holiday drone show when something went haywire and several small drones "collided and fell into a crowd," the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
The incident unfolded about 6:45 p.m. Saturday at Orlando's Eloa Lake as thousands of spectators looked on, according to the FAA.
The injured boy's family told ABC News on Sunday that he was hit in the chest by one of the falling drones.
The boy was taken to a hospital, according to a spokesperson for the Orlando Fire Department.
The incident occurred during one of two free holiday drone shows that had been scheduled for Saturday night. Following the incident, the city canceled the second show due to what it described as "technical difficulties."
About 25,000 people were attending the family-friendly event when the incident occurred, officials said.
Source-ABC