3 DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST 04 MAY 2026
3 DAY WEATHER FORECAST FRIDAY MAY 1ST 2026
Belize Health Authorities Confirm a Case of Measles
Belize health authorities have confirmed a case of measles in a 19-year-old resident who recently traveled to Guatemala, as officials step up vaccination and containment efforts amid a growing regional outbreak.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Wellness said the individual was preliminarily diagnosed with measles on April 24th, and that isolation and quarantine protocols are being enforced.
The ministry added that a ring vaccination campaign and community outreach efforts were immediately launched and remain ongoing.
Officials also warned of an increasing outbreak in neighbouring Guatemala, where 5,100 measles cases have been reported since December 2025.
The MOHW urged the public to get vaccinated, stressing that immunization remains the most effective protection against measles and its complications.
According to PAHO, vaccination coverage in 2024 reached 89 percent for the first dose of the MMR vaccine and 79 percent for the second dose, while DPT coverage reached 87 percent. However, more than 1.4 million children across the region still did not receive a single vaccine dose.
The organization noted that the Americas first eliminated measles in 2016, but lost that status in 2018, regained it in 2024, and lost it again in 2025.
In 2025, 14,767 confirmed cases were reported across 13 countries—nearly 32 times higher than the previous year. As of April 5, 2026, more than 15,300 cases have already been reported, surpassing the total for all of 2025.
Health officials say the latest Belize case underscores the urgency of strengthening vaccination campaigns and surveillance systems across the region.
US State Department to Issue Limited Edition Passport for 250th Anniversary
The State Department is releasing a limited-edition U.S. passport to mark America's 250th anniversary and the document will feature President Donald Trump's image and signature on the inside cover, a White House official and a source familiar with the move confirmed to ABC News.
The inner page will feature Trump's portrait over a stylized image of the Declaration of Independence, according to mock-ups posted to social media by the State Department.
Under current plans, the limited-edition passport will only be available through the Washington Passport Agency, while other offices and the online renewal system will still issue the standard design, a State Department official told ABC News.
However, the official said that while the limited-edition passport is available, applicants who receive a passport through the Washington Passport Agency will only be issued that design -- they cannot opt out.
In announcing the limited-edition passport, a White House spokesperson said in a statement that "President Trump’s new patriotic passport design provides yet another great way Americans can join in the spectacular celebrations for America’s 250th birthday."
Commissioner of Police Appears on RTC First Edition
On RTC's Tuesday morning program First Edition usually hosted by Cheryl-Ann Forman, news reporter Zoya Faessler had the pleasure of being guest host and interviewed the Commissioner of Police for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Fitz Bailey.
Danae Dennie filed this report.
Turks and Caicos Islander Makes History at Howard University
A historic milestone was achieved at the Howard University Student Association Senate, marking a significant moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the wider Caribbean region.
For the first time in the Senate’s 15-year history, a Caribbean student has been elected to its highest office.
Antwon HF Walkin, a native of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Deputy Premier of the National Youth Parliament, has been elected as the 15th Chairman/President of the Senate.
Walkin’s election represents multiple groundbreaking firsts. He is the first Turks and Caicos Islander to hold the position, the first Caribbean national to be elected, and the first student from the College of Engineering and Architecture—specifically an Architectural major—to ascend to the role.
RTC spoke with Walkin to find out how he feels about this achievement, what it means for him personally and for the country.
Prior to his election, Walkin served as Chair of the University and External Affairs Committee, where he was widely recognized for elevating the Senate’s public profile and strengthening its engagement both within the university and beyond. His leadership brought increased visibility, strategic outreach, and a renewed sense of institutional presence.
His election signals not only a personal achievement but also a broader advancement for Caribbean representation in international academic leadership spaces. It underscores the growing influence and contributions of Caribbean students within global institutions.
Congratulations Antwon! We are truly proud of you!
World's Busiest Airport Confiscates More Than a Quarter Million Dollars in First Quarter of 2026
During the first three months of 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport—the busiest airport in the world—confiscated more than $372,000 in undeclared cash from travelers.
Officials reported that the money was seized from 24 individuals between January and March.
Although travelers are allowed to carry any amount of currency into or out of the United States, sums exceeding $10,000 must be declared to the U.S. Treasury using the International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments form.
The largest single seizure occurred on March 22, when a CBP currency detection dog named Pub alerted officers to a U.S. citizen departing for San Salvador. Authorities ultimately confiscated $44,432 from that traveler.
Other notable cases included $32,700 taken from an Indian citizen traveling to the United Arab Emirates on January 31, and $30,417 seized from a family heading to Qatar on February 4.
Officials emphasized that failing to declare large amounts of cash can lead to serious consequences, including the seizure of funds and potential criminal charges.
Authorities have not released the identities of the travelers involved or specified what charges, if any, they may face.
BVI Has Taken Formal Steps Towards Constitutional Reform Talks with UK
The British Virgin Islands has taken a formal step toward long-anticipated constitutional reform, after the House of Assembly approved a delegation to represent the territory in negotiations with the United Kingdom.
Premier Natalio Wheatley secured approval for a motion establishing a Constitutional Negotiating Committee, which will engage the UK government on updates to the territory’s governance framework.
The committee will be led by Wheatley and will include senior government ministers, members of the opposition, legal experts, and representatives from the Constitutional Review Commission, alongside support from senior public officials and the territory’s London office.
Wheatley said the talks are grounded in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, which provided for a review after 10 years. He noted that nearly two decades have now passed since its introduction, underscoring what he described as the need for reform.
He also referenced completed local work on the issue, including the Constitutional Review Commission’s report finalised in November 2023 and deliberations in the House of Assembly concluded in April 2026.
The report, he said, has been made public to inform wider national discussion and will be formally submitted to the UK government through the Minister for Overseas Territories.
The newly established committee is mandated to represent the Virgin Islands in discussions on constitutional reform and modernisation.
The motion passed without debate, formally clearing the way for the delegation to begin negotiations with the United Kingdom.
Roxandra Higgs Appointed as Senior Tax Officer
The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Roxandra Higgs as a Senior Tax Officer in the Inland Revenue Department within the Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade.
Higgs holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Minor in Accounting from Nova Southeastern University, where she was recognized on the Dean's List.
Her academic excellence was established early as the Valedictorian of both Raymond Gardiner High School and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. Currently, she continues to sharpen her technical proficiency through the VITARA Audit training programs.
Before transitioning to tax administration, Ms. Higgs dedicated 13 years to the education sector as a teacher of Office Administration and Electronic Document Preparation and Management at the Clement Howell High School.
Driven by a desire to support national development, she maintained an impressive 98% student pass rate and successfully guided the country’s first cohort to achieve CVQ General Office – Level 1 certification. In 2022, she joined the Inland Revenue Department to apply her accounting expertise, where she has since gained extensive experience in audit processes, taxpayer communication and compliance initiatives.
Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion, Ms. Higgs.
TCIG Talks About Ending InterHealth Canada Contract
During the recent national budget debate Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick spoke about the contract with InterHealth Canada and TCI Hospital. Our Danae Dennie reports...