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TCI Dancer Ryesha shares stage with Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados in Award-winning: Disney’s The Lion King

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#TurksandCaicos, May 19, 2021 – TCI professional dancer, 23-year old Ryesha Higgs has officially announced her forthcoming debut in London this summer when the show officially reopens on July 29, 2021. 

“I am so honoured to officially announce that I will be making my West End debut in Disney’s The Lion King London this summer! It has surely been a journey, so much has changed since then, yet one thing remains—that the arts, dance in particular, are essential and shows like The Lion King are necessary in our ‘new normal’ world,” said Ryesha in her official Facebook post.

Ryesha, who has now completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Bio-Medical is pursuing a Master’s Degree in international surgery at King’s College, London.  The aspiring doctor recently completed an internship with the Turks and Caicos Ministry of Health as she broadens her medical experience.  Still, Ryesha’s heart holds many loves; she is professionally trained in the dance since childhood.  While residing in New York, Ryesha’s development as a professional dancer took her to the Ailey School of Dance; the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Being a talented and professional dancer, Ms Higgs’ commitment to arts, especially dance, and her zest for excellence has finally paid off in her long-term career.  From Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands to Disney’s The Lion King, one of the largest productions on London’s West End, Ryesha’s passion for dancing remains an inspiration to many youths. 

On her debut, Ryesha Higgs will join a diverse cast featuring multi-cultural talents from around the world, including those from the neighbouring Caribbean countries of Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados. 

It was promoted that Du-Wayne Hinds of Barbados and Zara Bartels of Trinidad and Tobago were cast in Disney’s the Lion King.

“Whilst the Lion King encompasses themes of culture, diversity, friendship and faith, its reopening in today’s context represents resilience, restoration and spirit,” said Ryesha in an interview with a local daily.

Ryesha’s return to the world’s commercial dance stage signals the resilience and rejuvenation of her dancing career as she’s set to take many roles during the concert. While making such achievements is not an easy feat,  she expressed her gratitude for the chance to represent TCI on a global platform and looking forward to the support from TCI fans by buying tickets for the show. 

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands in the theatre and commercial dance world. I look forward to rejoining my talented cast members back in the ‘pridelands’ as we celebrate culture and creativity. 

“Our opening show is July 29th. Please reach out if you need guidance on how to get tickets! Until then, I hope to see you all in paradise a few weeks more before I jet off to an intense rehearsal period,” she concluded on her Facebook post. 

Since the premiere of Julie Taymor’s internationally celebrated stage adaptation on Broadway in 1997, THE LION KING has entertained more than 100 million theatregoers in 25 productions worldwide. When the show closed its doors on Sunday 15th March 2020 it was the West End’s best-selling stage production and the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

It is being staged at the Lyceum Theatre, with tickets starting at £20.

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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