Diandra Gray Appointed Education Planner & Policy Manager
The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Diandra Gray to the post of Education Planner and Policy Manager within the Department of Education, under the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.
Ms. Gray holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Marketing (Hons) from the University of Hull. Most recently, she earned a Master’s Degree in Impact Evaluation for International Development from the University of East Anglia, providing her with specialised skills essential for her new responsibilities.
Beginning her career as an Insurance Administrator with the Financial Services Commission in 2014, Ms. Gray transitioned into the education sector in 2016 as a Scholarship Officer. Since 2018, she has served as the Assistant Education Policy and Planning Officer, gaining direct experience in the strategic development and evaluation of education policies.
Reflecting on her appointment, Ms. Gray shared, “It has been a privilege to contribute to the work of the Ministry of Education, TCIG and the Policy and Planning Unit - work grounded in purposeful strategy toward meaningful impact. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in an even greater capacity as Education Planner and Policy Manager. I step into this role with a deep sense of responsibility and with conviction that God is with me. With that assurance, I remain faithful to serving with integrity and vision for the continued advancement of our beautiful and resilient Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Her Excellency Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service of the Turks and Caicos Islands, commented on the appointment, stating, “I extend my sincere congratulations to Ms. Gray on her promotion to Education Planner and Policy Manager. Having served within the Policy and Planning Unit for several years, she has a clear understanding of the Ministry’s strategic goals. Her academic focus on impact evaluation will be instrumental in ensuring our education policies are effective and data-driven. We look forward to her continued leadership as we work to enhance the educational framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Congratulations again Ms. Gray on your well-deserved promotion”.
Premier Re-Arranges Ministerial Responsibilities
Premier - Honourable Charles Washington Misick, has formally communicated to Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, a re-arrangement of Ministerial responsibilities within the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
The re-arrangement, provides for the reassignment of Departments and the structured alignment of statutory bodies under the respective Ministries, strengthening governance, accountability, and service delivery across Government.
The Ministry currently known as the Ministry of Home Affairs, Religious Affairs and Transportation has been redesignated as the Ministry of Home Affairs, comprising the following Departments and functions:
• Policy Planning and Administrative Support – Home Affairs
• Registrar General's Office
• Citizenship and Naturalization
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• District Administration – North Caicos
• District Administration – South Caicos
• District Administration – Middle Caicos
• District Administration – Salt Cay
Temporary oversight of the Ministry of Home Affairs has been assigned to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Immgration and Border Services Honourable Jamell Robinson.
The Ministry currently designated as the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities shall be retitled the Ministry of Public Safety, Gender and Religious Affairs and Social Welfare, comprising the following Departments and functions:
• Policy Planning and Administrative Support – Public Safety, Gender and Religious Affairs and Social Welfare
• Postal Services
• Department of Correctional Services
• Fire and Rescue Department
• Department of Community Support and Engagement
• Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services
• Religious and Gender Affairs
• Department of Family and Children Services
• Civil Aviation Authority
• Air Traffic Licensing Authority
• Telecommunications Commission
In accordance with Sections 34(2)(b) and 36(1) of the Constitution, the appointment of the Honourable Shaun David Malcolm as Minister of Home Affairs, Religious Affairs and Transportation has been revoked, and he has been appointed as Minister for Public Safety, Gender and Religious Affairs and Social Welfare.
The Ministry of Innovation, Technology and Energy shall now assume responsibility for the Water Undertaking department in addition to its existing remit and that ministry falls under Hon. E Jay Saunders.
In a statement, the Premier said that These adjustments are both administrative and strategic in nature, designed to improve coordination across Ministries, strengthen accountability and oversight of Departments and statutory bodies, and enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of public service delivery.
The realignment ensures that Ministerial portfolios are more closely aligned with the Government's policy priorities and the needs of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The revised arrangements took effect on April 18th.
3 DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST APRIL 20TH-22ND
Great Britain Celebrates Queen Elizabeth II - 100th Birthday Memorial
Britain's royal family is leading commemorations for what would be the 100th birthday of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Elizabeth, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, was born on April 21, 1926. She became queen at age 25 and went on to serve 70 years on the throne before her death in 2022 at age 96.
Elizabeth's eldest child, her son King Charles III, kicked off remembrances for his late mom on Monday with a visit to a new fashion exhibit at Buckingham Palace, "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style," alongside his wife, Queen Camilla.
Today, Tuesday April 21st, Elizabeth's birthday, Charles will deliver a recorded video message marking the occasion and will join members of the royal family in viewing designs for a planned Queen Elizabeth Memorial in London.
The memorial is set to include statues of Elizabeth and her late husband, Prince Philip, near Buckingham Palace, as well as gardens and a glass bridge representing the tiara that Elizabeth wore when she wed Philip in 1947.
On Tuesday evening, Charles and the royal family will host a reception at Buckingham Palace for the late queen's birthday.
Other tributes to Elizabeth on her birthday include the opening of The Queen Elizabeth II Garden in The Regent’s Park, London, attended by her daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal.
A new national charity, The Queen Elizabeth Trust, was also announced to honor Elizabeth of public service.
The Trust, launched with a $50 million endowment from the U.K. government, will aim to preserve and support green spaces and community centers, according to the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, a joint body established by the U.K. government and the royal household.
3 DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST - APRIL 17TH to 19TH
Billy Forbes Opens Football Academy in Turks and Caicos
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands - In a passionate move to inspire the next generation of soccer stars, Billy Forbes, once captain of the Turks and Caicos Islands national football team, has launched his own venture the Forbes Soccer Academy.
The academy represents a heartfelt commitment to nurturing young football talent offering free training and a registration fee that will cover their training kits for children ages 6 and up.
RTC spoke with Forbes about where the idea for this academy came from.
Forbes' journey from the small islands of Turks and Caicos to professional pitches across North America stands as a powerful testament to perseverance. His impressive career spanned multiple prestigious leagues on the international stage.
Forbes also spoke to us about what he hopes to achieve with this academy and how sports impacts and benefits the youth of the TCI.
For families who are interested in signing up or donating to the Forbes Soccer Academy, registration can be done via telephone (1649-242-6061), social media (@Forbessocceracademy), or email (Forbessocceracademy@gmail.com).
In an interview, Forbes stated that we're not just building players—we're building character, community, and champions."
Florida Nursing Assistant Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison
A Florida nursing assistant has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme that targeted hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries across the United States.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Christian “Chris” Cruz, 45 years old, of Pompano Beach, Florida, was sentenced on April 13, 2026, to nine years in prison followed by two years of supervised release.
Cruz was also ordered to pay $3,712,345.70 in restitution and $724,871 in forfeiture.
Prosecutors said Cruz owned and operated a durable medical equipment supplier in Florida that submitted millions of dollars in false claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary orthotic braces. The fraudulent scheme totaled approximately $11.4 million.
According to court documents and trial evidence, Cruz and a co-conspirator paid illegal kickbacks and bribes to obtain signed doctors’ orders. These orders were then used to ship orthotic braces to Medicare beneficiaries nationwide, including individuals who neither requested nor needed the equipment. The company then billed Medicare for reimbursement.
Authorities also said Cruz falsely claimed he was the sole owner of the company, concealing the involvement of his co-conspirator, who is a convicted felon.
Investigators further revealed that Cruz received several hundred thousand dollars from the scheme, which he deposited into his personal bank account. He frequently withdrew cash on consecutive days at different bank branches in South Florida, often in amounts just under the $10,000 reporting threshold.
After a six-day trial in January 2026, a federal jury convicted Cruz of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, four counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to make false statements relating to health care matters, and three counts of structuring.
Europe Says Maybe Only 6 Weeks Worth of Jet Fuel Remains
Europe may have only about six weeks’ worth of jet fuel remaining, according to the head of the International Energy Agency, who warned in an Associated Press interview that flight disruptions could begin soon if oil supplies continue to be blocked by the conflict involving Iran.
International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol described the situation as potentially the most severe energy crisis in history, driven by the disruption of oil, gas, and other crucial resources passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
He said the consequences will include rising gasoline, and electricity prices.
Birol emphasized that the economic impact will not be evenly distributed. Developing nations—particularly in parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America—are likely to be hit hardest, despite having less global influence.
Still, he cautioned that no country will be spared. While some nations may be wealthier or better supplied with energy, all will feel the effects of the crisis.
If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, certain oil products could become scarce. Birol noted that over 110 oil tankers and more than 15 liquefied natural gas carriers are currently stuck in the Persian Gulf and could help ease shortages if allowed to pass through—but even that would not fully resolve the situation.
Caribbean Development Bank Announces Financing in 2025
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB / the Bank) has reported a significant increase in project financing and disbursements for 2025, approving USD 464 million in new support. The milestone marks a 50% increase in financing over 2024.
CDB’s investment portfolio advanced major national and regional priorities, including USD 27 million for Belize’s Eighth Power Project to modernise the electricity grid for about 114,000 households and businesses.
In The Bahamas, the Bank approved USD 30 million for Water Supply Improvements in the Family Islands, benefiting roughly 5,000 residents, and USD 6 million to create a Polytechnic and Accreditation Training Hub for more than 800 youth and graduates. Elsewhere in the region, the Bank provided USD 46 million to upgrade Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Canouan Airport to strengthen climate resilience and connectivity; USD 8.7 million for Grenada’s Battery Energy Storage System to enhance grid stability for over 90% of the population; and USD 47 million for Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport Expansion, which will double passenger throughput and improve operations.
Despite ongoing challenges, CDB continued to deliver targeted investments supporting Haiti’s development. The Quality Enhancement Education Project improved learning outcomes for more than 17,000 primary and secondary students, half of them girls. In agriculture, a climate‑resilient initiative trained 250 farmers—48% women—and introduced a 23.5‑hectare irrigation scheme to boost productivity and protect livelihoods. Meanwhile, sustainable energy investments are expanding access to reliable electricity, with a new solar installation set to provide renewable power to over 2,000 rural customers.
Support for the cultural sector continued through the Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund, which assisted 200 creatives in 14 countries and provided grants to 12 micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). Women entrepreneurs benefitted from SheTrades Caribbean, which equipped 1,300 women‑owned firms with training and market access.
Harvey's Easter Card Competition Winners Announced
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands
Three top students were recognized on 14th April, at the prize-giving ceremony for Harvey’s Second Annual Grand Turk Primary Schools Easter Card Competition.
The competition invited Grade Six students (Grand Turk) to showcase their artistic talents, express themselves, and demonstrate an understanding of the significance of Easter.
Conceptualized by the head of Division A, Superintendent Willet Harvey, the competition's vision is geared towards making a meaningful contribution to the Grand Turk community.
After collaborating with Mrs. Nyree Taylor-Williams, Principal of the Eliza Simons Primary School, and Mrs. Rhoda Williams, Principal of Ona Glinton Primary School, the vision became a reality.
Superintendent Harvey emphasized that the initiative goes beyond a one-time effort. “For me, this is not just a one-time or two-time event; this is a lifetime commitment. This programme will continue,” he stated. "The competition specifically targets Grade 6 students, encouraging them as they prepare for the important transition into high school."
In addition to recognizing artistic talent, the initiative provides practical support.
Winners of the Competition:
1st Place: Anthony Forbes, 11, Eliza Simons Primary School
2nd Place: Doranika Gardiner, 12, Eliza Simons Primary School
3rd Place: Damian Wilson, 11, Ona Glinton Primary School
Additional Prizes for ALL students: Schoolbags filled with essential school supplies to assist with the transition to high school.