Connect with us

News

Parent Issues Plea after son’s Murder, calls for Young Men to Make Peace 

Published

on

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, February 15, 2024 – As of February 8, another young man has been killed in the Turks and Caicos Islands, now a parent is pleading for peace.

“To be honest with you, it’s been going on for too long, young people are losing their lives for foolishness and it doesn’t make sense,” a Parent explained to the news team around 1:40 p.m. Thursday, February 8th.

Hours earlier his son, a DECR officer, was killed in Grand Turk in broad daylight,  his death came after two double murders on February 1st and 2nd respectively. During those incidents, five others were injured including a 12-year-old girl.

For the parent, like many other citizens, it has all become too much.

“I just would like for these children to stop their foolishness and everybody come together and make peace,” he told our news team over the phone.

The Magnetic Media team has observed countless videos, social media photos and threats with young men heaving, crying, and swearing revenge after the death of their companions.  It’s proof of what Politicians, Police, and residents have been saying for years, young men in the Turks and Caicos too often use violence as a ‘go-to’ response.

A dangerous back and forth has emerged, threat for threat, violent song for violent song, and too often, kill for kill.

Grand Turk was not unfamiliar with the ‘beefs’ either; many murders over the years have been attributed to retaliatory crime including one as recent as January 29, where four people were shot, including three women and a young man, fatally.

In the turf war, a sort of callousness has also sprung up on social media, champagne is popped to mark kills, residents post death videos in celebration, laughter and cruel jokes are thrown back and forth rubbing salt in the wounds of loved ones.

The shooters themselves show no care for the vulnerable, pumping bullets into toddlers, 10-year-olds and pregnant women while stray shots take down unintended bystanders. The latest incident was just metres from a school sports day.

“None of them can come up and say I do this because of that or I hate you because of this, the just- it’s just foolishness. I think [it’s] attitude, ‘hard mouth’. Back in the days it used to be a little fist fight, but now these fellas using guns, these children need to come together, somebody needs to get these children together and make peace or else we won’t have no young folks here” the parent told us.

It’s a sentiment shared by law-abiding citizens at all levels, from Facebook anonymous chats to the House of Assembly.

“The alarming increase in incidents involving innocent bystanders being shot and targeted shootings has left us all grappling with fear and uncertainty– Our streets should be safe havens, not battlegrounds,” said Minister of Physical Planning Jamell Robinson speaking during the House of Assembly sitting on Tuesday February 6.

Similar speeches came from both sides of the floor with actionable solutions shared.

Those solutions must come sooner not later as seven weeks into 2024 the murder count stands at seven, even as the UK rushes to implement a new firearms unit and a new Commissioner is delayed in taking office, for medical reasons.  His temporary replacement is Chris Eyre, a former UK senior officer, who was sworn in on Monday, February 12 by the Governor of the Turks and Caicos.

Caribbean News

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

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING