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New date for the re-opening of public schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama and North and Central Andros

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Nassau, Bahamas, October 17, 2016 – Education Minister, the Hon. Jerome K. Fitzgerald held a press conference at the Ministry’s headquarters to announce that ALL public schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama and North and Central Andros will re-open after the mid-term break on Tuesday, October 25th, 2016.  This decision comes after careful consideration and consultation with various stakeholders including Bahamas Power and Light, the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville and district superintendents for the respective islands.

Schools in New Providence with the exception of C.I. Gibson Senior High and the Government High School were scheduled to open tomorrow, Tuesday, October 18th, while schools in Grand Bahama and North and Central Andros wer scheduled to open on Wednesday, October 19th, 2016.

Ministry of Education officials met with Bahamas Power and Light this morning for a status update on the restoration of power supply to schools.  Minister Fitzgerald stated, “To a great extent, the re-opening of schools is contingent on power being restored to our campuses.  Most of our schools rely on power for water supply.”

According to the Minister there is still a limited number of schools that have had power restored.  “At present only 25% of schools in New Providence have power and following our meeting with BPL this morning, based on the feedback we received, only 50% of our 56 public schools should have power restored by end of day tomorrow.”

Minister Fitzgerald stressed the importance of BPL giving schools due attention.  “I am urging Bahamas Power and Light to realize that the restoration of power to our schools is absolutely essential.  We have tens of thousands of students in New Providence whose return to schools depends on BPL’s ability to restore power.”

Yesterday’s heavy downpours in New Providence also caused setbacks as contractors who were engaged to carry out repairs were unable to carry out any restoration work as scheduled.

It was noted that two important meetings for parents will be held on Wednesday October 19th, 2016 at 6:00 p.m; where school administrators will inform parents of the scheduling of students’ return on the 25th and thereafter.  These two meetings are for the parents of C. I. Gibson and Government High School only.  He appealed to all parents of the respective schools to attend the meetings at the following locations:

  1. C.I. Gibson Senior High School parents’ meeting will be held at the school’s gymnasium;
  2. The Government High School parents’ meeting will be held at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium.

The Education Minister also encouraged parents whose students lost their uniforms and other school supplies as a result of Hurricane Matthew to make good use of Social services.  He stated, “Ms. Melanie Zonicle, Director of Social Services announced that her department will provide assistance with uniforms, backpacks and other basic supplies.”  As the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology continues to work aggressively with its restoration efforts, safety remains their top priority.  They are working closely with Ministry of Works and have also assigned electricians to inspect each school prior to and during the electrifying process.

Minister Fitzgerald concluded the press conference by thanking the public for their patience and understanding as the Ministry of Education continues to work diligently to ensure that students return to school in the shortest and safest time possible.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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