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TCI Junior Achievers Excitedly Prepare for Company Program Closing Day

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#TurksandCaicos, January 28, 2022 – There is a feeling of both excitement and anxiety in the air as Turks & Caicos Junior Achievers move toward the close-out of the JA TCI Company Program.

For the past five months, these teens have worked arduously to build their companies, create signature products, promote their offerings, and attend to the details of bookkeeping and reporting, shareholder engagements, financial reporting, and now, the formal dissolution and final summaries of those companies.

The past few weeks have presented a challenge to the groups with in-person company meetings impossible while at-home learning was the necessary order of the day. Still, the groups have persevered and overcome those hurdles, ensuring they made use of the outlets available to them to continue making strides.

In just under two weeks, the JA TCI Company Program will come to a close with Achievers currently making preparations to deliver final requirements to the organization’s Board of Directors and a judging panel who will evaluate the companies’ operations and hear from the Achievers themselves on the final day.

Throughout the course of the Company Program, JA TCI ensures Achievers are given all the necessary tools to tackle the tasks at hand as proficiently as possible. As the groups prepare to present their company summaries, they will be given access to public speaking training on Saturday, January 29th where members of Toastmasters and other professionals in the public speaking arena will provide guidance on the key ingredients to memorable and impactful delivery when presenting.  By then, the Achievers will have submitted all final business plans and will use the final days to put the finishing touches on their oral company presentations.

February 5th, 2022 marks the Final Competition and Awards Ceremony for the program. With a maximum permitted time of 10 minutes, each group will make a powerful presentation to a panel of judges. They will then navigate a judges’ interview session of up to 10 minutes where the panel will pose questions based on the reports and the allocution provided by each group. This portion of the day begins at 10 am.

The groups then assemble at the Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort and Spa Villages West Caicos Conference Room for an evening of celebration and awards, where the judges’ decisions will be revealed.

Awards for Most Outstanding JA Company will be bestowed on the top three companies, with other categories – Most Profitable Company, Social Media Award, Most Innovative Product/Service – also being awarded. The Achievers, sponsors, mentors, and friends of the program will be treated to a wonderful evening of camaraderie as they celebrate their hard work and accomplishments over the past five months.

Director of JA TCI, Angela Musgrove, shared “The close out of the Company Program is often bittersweet for us – it is an exciting time, but we are always a bit sad to see it end. The beauty of Junior Achievement, though, is that once you are a part of the program, you are always a part of the JA family. We are exceptionally proud of these Achievers and the work they have done, and we are eager to see them present and to celebrate their accomplishments with them on February 5th.”

Musgrove says the Junior Achievement Board of Directors continues to extend thanks to the sponsors of the JA Company Program and hopes to have them all on board again.

This year the program was honoured to have COMO Parrot Cay, Building Materials Ltd/Do it Center, Beaches Resort Villages & Spa, Projetech Construction Management, TCI Financial Services Commission, Grace Bay Car Rentals, The Strand, and FLOW TCI as sponsors to students from Raymond Gardiner High School, Edward Gartland Youth Centre, Louise Garland Thomas High School, Clement Howell High School, Maranatha Academy High School, Wesley Methodist High School, and Marjorie Basden High School.

 

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Robinson, Malcolm and Saunders Assigned Expanded Roles in Premier’s Cabinet Re-Alignment

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Turks and Caicos, April 23, 2026 – The Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick has moved to reconfigure Cabinet responsibilities following the removal of former minister Otis Morris, with key elements of that portfolio now redistributed among three sitting ministers in what the Office of the Premier describes as a strategic effort to strengthen governance, accountability and service delivery.

In formal communication to Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, the Premier confirmed the reassignment of departments and statutory bodies across ministries, signalling a restructuring rather than the immediate appointment of a replacement. While the Premier had earlier indicated he would assume oversight of the vacated responsibilities, the latest arrangement instead spreads those duties across existing Cabinet members, reflecting what officials have described as confidence in the Government’s depth of leadership.

As part of the changes, the Ministry previously known as the Ministry of Home Affairs, Religious Affairs and Transportation has been redesignated as the Ministry of Home Affairs, with temporary oversight assigned to Deputy Premier, the Honourable Jamell Robinson. That Ministry now includes Policy Planning and Administrative Support for Home Affairs, the Registrar General’s Office, Citizenship and Naturalization, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and District Administration for North Caicos, South Caicos, Middle Caicos and Salt Cay, consolidating core administrative and civil functions under a single portfolio.

The Honourable Shaun David Malcolm has been reassigned from his previous post and now serves as Minister of Public Safety, Gender and Religious Affairs and Social Welfare, following the revocation of his earlier appointment under constitutional provisions. His expanded Ministry now incorporates a wide range of functions, including Policy Planning and Administrative Support, Postal Services, the Department of Correctional Services, Fire and Rescue, the Department of Community Support and Engagement, the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services, Religious and Gender Affairs, the Department of Family and Children Services, as well as oversight of the Civil Aviation Authority, the Air Traffic Licensing Authority and the Telecommunications Commission, marking a significant broadening of responsibilities tied to national safety, social services and regulatory oversight.

Meanwhile, the Honourable E. Jay Saunders, Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy, retains his portfolio with additional responsibility for the Water Undertaking Department. His Ministry now comprises Policy Planning and Administrative Support, the Water Undertaking Department, Customer and Government Information Services, the Energy and Utilities Department, Innovation, Communication and E-Government, and Radio Turks and Caicos, expanding the Ministry’s role in critical infrastructure, communications and utility management.

The Office of the Premier has framed the adjustments as both administrative and strategic, intended to better align ministerial portfolios with national priorities while improving coordination and oversight across Government. The redistribution of responsibilities across three ministers—rather than the immediate installation of a successor—points to a transitional approach, with the Premier opting to utilise existing Cabinet capacity while longer-term decisions are considered.

No timeline has been given for the appointment of a new minister to replace Morris, but the restructuring places operational control of key functions across multiple portfolios, effectively dividing the former minister’s responsibilities among Robinson, Malcolm and Saunders. The Premier has indicated that the realignment is designed to enhance efficiency and responsiveness, with ministries expected to implement the new structure immediately following the execution of the necessary instruments.

The changes come as the administration continues to emphasise institutional strengthening and improved public service delivery, with the Premier maintaining that the revised Cabinet structure will support more effective governance and better outcomes for residents across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Caribbean News

Team Trinidad & Tobago Makes Waves with Historic CARIFTA Aquatics Performance

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April 14, 2026 – Team Trinidad and Tobago delivered one of the most commanding performances at the 2026 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships, finishing third overall in swimming and second in athletics, signaling a powerful resurgence on the regional stage.

Competing in Martinique, the swim team amassed an impressive 747 points and 59 medals—20 gold, 19 silver and 20 bronze—in what officials are calling a historic showing. The result marks a significant step forward from previous years, reinforcing the country’s growing strength across disciplines and age groups.

Standout performances came from a deep and talented squad. Zahara Anthony led the charge with 72 points, dominating the Girls 11–12 division across freestyle, butterfly and individual medley events. Liam Carrington followed closely with 69 points, delivering a near-flawless campaign in the Boys 15–17 category, while Marena Martinez, Xaiden Valentine and Serenity Pantin added critical points with consistent podium finishes.

The team’s strength was not limited to individual brilliance. Athletes like Micah Alexander, Ethan McMillan-Cole and Jaden Mills showcased versatility and depth, while relay contributions from swimmers including Julius Ennals and Anpherne Bernard helped secure the team’s overall standing.

The performance drew high praise from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago, which welcomed the team home in celebration of what was described as a defining moment for the programme.

Minister Phillip Watts noted, “This success is not accidental. It is the result of hard work, structure, vision, and belief. Our young athletes are proving that Trinidad and Tobago is rising again.”

He added that every performance sent a clear message across the region that the country is “not standing still… we are moving forward.”

The showing in Martinique underscores the impact of sustained investment in youth development, coaching and systems, with Team TTO emerging as one of the most complete and competitive squads at CARIFTA 2026.

With momentum now firmly on their side, Trinidad and Tobago’s swimmers are not just competing—they are setting the pace for the future of Caribbean aquatics.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

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Bahamas News

New Manifestos Released as Bahamas Heads to Historic May 12 Vote

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The Bahamas, April 14, 2026 – With the 2026 Bahamian general election set for May 12, the country’s major political parties have now formally placed their plans before the electorate, offering competing visions for governance, growth and relief.

The governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), led by Philip Davis, launched its “Blueprint for Progress 2026” on April 8, 2026, outlining a 46-page plan focused on long-term development and systems reform. The document places heavy emphasis on energy transition, digital government, workforce training and food security, positioning the party as one seeking continuity following its first term. The full plan is publicly available online through official PLP platforms for voters to review.

Just days later, on Sunday, April 12, the opposition Free National Movement (FNM), under Michael Pintard, unveiled its 2026 Manifesto at a major event in Nassau. Spanning 54 pages, the document centers on cost-of-living relief, tax reform, healthcare expansion and housing, offering what the party describes as a more immediate response to economic pressures facing Bahamian families. The FNM has also made its manifesto accessible online.

Beyond the two major parties, the Coalition of Independents (COI) had already entered the policy space earlier, formally unveiling its long-range Vision 2030 framework on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Fusion Superplex in Nassau during a packed national launch led by party leader Lincoln Bain. That framework has since been complemented by a 100-day action plan released in late March/early April 2026, adding a short-term policy layer to its long-range proposals.

These policy rollouts come as the country prepares for a pivotal vote, with the Parliamentary Registration Department confirming a voters’ register of approximately 203,000 eligible voters, one of the largest in the nation’s history. Key dates are now set, with Nomination Day on April 16, followed by advance polls on April 30, ahead of General Election Day on May 12.

With platforms now in the public domain and the timeline locked in, the focus shifts squarely to the electorate—who must now weigh the promises, examine the plans and decide the country’s direction at the polls.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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