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Super Cool Tech for Happier Holidays 

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

December 14, 2022 – Whether you’re a parent trying to gift your toddlers and teens or an adult struggling over what to get your parents for Christmas there are tech options for every member of the family that are certain to garner some excited smiles this holiday season.

For toddlers and young children

They are usually the easiest to please of the bunch.  Usually something new, shiny and printed with their favorite cartoon characters will usually get you an excited yell of approval.

  • A good choice for them is a tablet (with the designated hardback case of course)
  • Educational games and movies are easily accessible online
  • An electronic drum set with earbuds so only they can hear the sound will keep you sane and your tiny musician occupied for hours.
  • For the 80s and 90s babies who grew up with Microsoft Encarta Kids and want their own children to experience the same, there are dozens of apps which offer a similar experience including ABC mouse.

For preteens and teens

Undoubtedly the toughest to shop for the interests of teams range from books to e-sports and can change as quickly as the tides. Once again tablets are an all-around crowd pleaser.

  • For the artistic young ones an Apple Pencil to go with their iPad or an S-pen to go with their android devices coupled with an online drawing  app like Procreate or Adobe Illustrator Draw will give them hours and hours of endless practice time.
  • For readers a new Kindle may be in the works, but don’t break the bank, if your kid already has a mobile device look into online reading apps like Apple Books or the Kindle app which is available for all devices. Your child will be able to purchase books with no wait time for shipping and always have them ready in the palm of their hand.
  • Libro FM or Audible are good choices for kids who don’t like to sit still and read. Both provide subscription-based audiobooks. Your child will be able to get one or more audiobooks a month and can listen while they exercise, on the way to school etc. This is also a good option for children who are blind or have other challenges with using a screen or handling physical books.
  • For the gamers who are often bent over their phones to engage in Fortnite or other online games it may be time to look into a Nintendo switch, a PS5, or if you really want to go the extra mile building a PC with your child. In addition to the invaluable memory of building a computer with their mom or dad PCs are a lifetime investment.  They are certain to be faster and better than any gaming console you can find. As for the daunting task of building it, don’t worry there are hundreds of tutorials on YouTube that take you from start to finish detailing every single product that you need and the price for all the parts will run you less than the cost of the latest MacBook.
  • For the budding social media influencer a ring light and a cell phone upgrade will provide the perfect setup for creating content. If you want to go a little bit further, vlogging cameras are a good investment.

For adults

Many of the gifts on our list for teens will go over well with parents, adults, siblings and friends alike but here are some grownup specific gifts that are sure to be crowd pleasers.

  • An AirTag; designed to be hooked onto stuff you lose easily including your keys, your house hopping cat or your luggage at the airport AirTags come in handy.  Just connect them to your Apple ID for iPhone users and you’ll be able to track whatever you like.
  • Any type of sports watch will be invaluable for fitness enthusiasts and even  parents and grandparents.  Many of these watches which only need to be connected to a smart phone directly or through an app and can tell when the wearer falls down, is out of breath or has increased heart rate.  If the wearer is in medical distress some may even call the police automatically.
  • For the work from homers a portable treadmill can help them get their steps in while they work, the ultimate multitask.  Pair that with an automatic standing desk and even if they miss the gym they’ll be sure to keep in shape.
  • For the entire family, smartphone card game Game of Phones brings electronics and physical game together in an unbeatable mashup that sends the family on a scavenger hunt.

There are hundreds of other options, both more and less expensive than the ones listed here. A quick Amazon or Google search will certainly lead you to the perfect gift.

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DDME Staff Strengthen Disaster Management Capacity Through Professional Development Workshop

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Ms. Yolande Williams, Community Preparedness Officer for South Caicos speaking to Dr. Clerveaux

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 25 February 2026: Staff of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) participated in a one‑day Professional Staff Development Workshop on Thursday, 19th February 2026. The session was facilitated by former DDME Director (2011–2021) and current Permanent Secretary of the Governor’s Office, Dr. Virginia Clerveaux.

The in-house workshop was organised by the DDME Training Unit, to focus on the National Disaster Management Framework, strengthening staff understanding of their roles and responsibilities within disaster management. The session also aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and reinforce inter‑agency coordination.

Drawing on her extensive experience in disaster management in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as several deployments to CDEMA member states including Haiti, The Bahamas, and Jamaica, Dr. Clerveaux provided practical insights that reinforced key concepts and clarified operational expectations. Staff members actively participated in discussions and shared recommendations to improve sub‑committee performance and overall departmental efficiency.

To support learning retention, the workshop incorporated pre‑ and post‑assessments, enabling participants to evaluate their understanding and track improvements.

Acting Director of DDME, Mr. Kevaun Lucas stated: “Investing in the continued development of our team is essential to strengthening national resilience. This and future planned workshops will help to reinforce our commitment to building a highly skilled, well‑coordinated workforce capable of leading and supporting disaster management efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands. I am proud of the team’s engagement and encouraged by the meaningful contributions they made throughout the session.”

This Professional Staff Development Workshop forms part of DDME’s ongoing commitment to enhancing internal capacity, strengthening operational coordination and improving overall departmental synergy as the agency continues to advance national preparedness and response capabilities.

 

Photo Captions:

1st insert:   Ms. Tamara Hylton, Training and Education Manager for DDME
2nd insert: Dr. Virginia Clerveaux with DDME Staff Members
3rd insert: Mr. Kevern De Bellott, Deputy Director for DDME speaking to Dr. Clerveaux

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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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