Nations Report - March 23, 2026

0:00From the city of Providentialis, here is tonight's nation's report with Zoya Fessler. TCI Regiment intercepts illegal vessel. A new study reveals multiple drugs found in sharks in the Bahamas, Hawaii experiences severe flooding in two decades. A look at sports and other forecasts we have those stories and more. Thank you so much for tuning in to RTC89.1FM, the listeners, it's the start of a brand new work week. This Monday, March 23rd, 2026, pleasure to have you join me, I'm Zoya Fessler. We'll begin the news with the Darks and Kekos Islands Regiment in a highly coordinated

1:04maritime support operation alongside the Royal Darks and Kekos Islands police force and multi-agency partners successfully intercepted any legal vessel with NTCI waters on the night of Friday, March 20th. At approximately 8.34 p.m., Regiment personnel executed a tactical interception of a craft ensuring the immediate stabilization of the vessel and the safety of all individuals on board. The operation was completed without incident or injury. The group of 143 irregular migrants consisted of 122 males, 3 male minors, 18 females. During the successful maritime interdiction, all 143 individuals were transferred to the custody of the TCI border force. The migrants are currently being held at the detention center, pending further investigation and processing in accordance with the laws of the Turks and Kekos Islands. And the serious crime unit of the Royal Turks and Kekos Islands police force has initiated

2:05an investigation following the detection of several rounds of ammunition in the luggage of a serving police officer during routine security screening at the Howard Hamilton International Airport in Providencialis. The ammunition which was concealed in the officer's suitcase was identified by airport security who subsequently contacted officers of the Royal Turks and Kekos Islands police force. A search was conducted at the officer's home following his arrest and additional rounds of ammunition were found. The officer is currently the subject of an active police investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the find. Police have charged Ian Barrington Graham with three fire arm-related offenses. Graham 35 years old has been charged with three counts of possession of ammunition. The accused who is a serving member of the Royal Turks and Kekos Islands police force was processed at the Graceway Police Station yesterday Sunday March 22nd and is expected to appear before the court on the next available date.

3:06The Royal Turks and Kekos Islands police force emphasizes that all officers are held to the highest standards of professionalism, accountability and compliance within the law. Any breach whether administrative or criminal will be addressed in a fair, proportionate and lawful manner. And now on a lighter note, the spirit of innovation and discovery took center stage as students from across the Turks and Kekos Islands participated in the 14th annual National Science and Technology Fair by Pelican Energy TCI held on March 4th and 5th, 2026, under the theme powered by science, innovations for a greener tomorrow. The fair featured national level competitions in science projects, debates, quizzes and poster design, welcoming students, educators, stakeholders and members of the public for two days of scientific exploration. The National High School Science Project Competition showcased cutting-edge research and practical solutions to real-world challenges.

4:07A. Louise Garland Thomas High School won first place for its project called Turning the Tide from Sargasm Pollution to Sustainable Bioethanol. Second place was awarded to Holy Family Academy for its innovative project from research to reality, a model for a portable artificial kidney. Third place went to British West Indies Collegiate for its project Can You Taste the Rainbow, which examined how sight can influence your taste. Also the prestigious President's Award personally selected by Pelican Energy TCI President Devon Cox was presented to precious treasure school for its project titled AI-powered Traffic App for Provo. One primary school students also delivered impressive experiments in their segment of the primary school science project competition, Holy Family Academy secured first place for its project, traditional farming versus hydroponics. Second place went to Inakapren Primary for investigating garbage for plant growth and development.

5:09Film a lightburn primary school earned third place for its project the power of salt, building a salt water battery, unlocking nature's electrolyte. This year also saw the introduction of the Curiosity Catalyst Award, which recognized outstanding creativity and scientific excellence among primary school projects. The award was presented by the Minister of Innovation, Honorable E.J. Saunders, to the Thelma Lightburn Primary School. Then we had the National High School Science Debate featuring thoughtful evidence-based discussions on emerging scientific and technological issues. This included deep-fake technology, artificial womb research, hydrogen-powered aircraft, AI-driven data center demand, cloud-seating projects, remote robotic surgery, and underwater turbines. It would be the H. Sherrylemson High School winning the debate championship title, marking the school's first appearance in the finals, while Marjorie based in high school secured a second place.

6:09This round also marked the first time two outer island schools competed in the Grand Finale City. A. Louise Garland Thomas High School and Maranatha Academy tied for third place. The newly introduced Debate Dynamo Award was presented by the Minister of Education, Tanila Byfield of Marjorie based in high school, who achieved the highest cumulative score across all rounds of the debate. Director of Communications for Pelican Energy T.C.I. Nikira John spoke with debate winners H.J. Robinson High. Congratulations to the H.J. Robinson High School on winning the 2026 National High School Science debate championship. You guys did a wonderful job making it across the prelims, the semifinals, and today you're here. How did it feel coming into this knowing that this is kind of your first time getting a good taste of the finals? What did this moment mean for you coming in and making it this far? It meant a lot to me, you know, being able to represent my school and my family and myself, and reading that a lot.

7:11Talk to me about the preparation, and there is one particular tactic, Mavari, I saw you guys put into this. You always start with like a very conversational approach just to kind of lock people in. Why was that so important as a tactic? I like to start off with a tactic that the public audience can't relate to. I think it has a very good look. There's a lot of work put into this debate a lot of times you stay up late, practice, go through our speeches, researching, and it's a bit of all people. Honestly, I have to say all thanks to God, His grace is sufficient, and He is the only reason. The only reason we want this debate is all thanks to Him, and we have so much hard work into this debate, we have so much work and dedication into this debate, into all of our work and justice term, and we're just part of ourselves, and we know that our school is part of us, and we will continue to do just that.

8:12Then we have the National Primary School Science Quiz featuring teams of students from grades 4 through 6 with 10 schools participating. The Jambianship title was claimed by the Charles Hubert James Primary School out of the Green Isle of North Cacos, celebrating the school's first ever win in the competition. The second place was secured by Eliza Simon's Primary School, following two intense tie breaking rounds, while third place went to Adelaide Omler. The event also marked the first time that two schools from North Cacos reached the finals. And the National Science poster competition invited high school students to creatively interpret the fair's theme through visual storytelling in both creative art and graphic art categories. In the creative art category, first place went to Jameela Williams of British West Indies Collegiate, second place to Enavia Mantalk of H. Sheh Robinson High School, and third place to Lorne Sheh Bastien of Marju based in high school. In the graphic arts category, Dene Hernandez of Clemenowell High School, secured first place

9:14while second place went to Andy Lentomita of Holy Family Academy. Congratulations to all of you on a job, well done. That was your local news regional, is up next. A new study has found sharks off Elutra in the Bahamas carrying traces of cocaine, caffeine, and common pain killers, underscoring the spread of human pollution in Bahamian waters. The peer-reviewed research published in Environmental Pollution analyzed blood samples from about 85 sharks across several species. Four substances were detected, caffeine, cocaine, acetaminophen, and glyphinac, in 28 sharks, mainly Caribbean reef, Atlantic nurse, and lemon sharks. Researchers say this is the first time that caffeine and acetaminophen have been found

10:17in sharks globally, and the first detection of cocaine and glyphinac in sharks in the Bahamas. Caffeine was the most common contaminant while cocaine appeared in just two sharks. The highest concentrations were recorded near a site known as aquaculture cage, an area frequented by tourboats, suggesting wastewater and human activity as likely sources. Although the study did not confirm direct harm, contaminated sharks showed differences in some biological markers linked to metabolism and stress. Researchers caution that the findings reflect recent exposure and do not prove cause and effect. Still the presence of these substances highlights growing pollution, tied to tourism, coastal development, and wastewater discharge. Scientists point to caffeine in particular as a key indicator of human impact in marine environments. That was your regional news world news is up next.

11:27London's Metropolitan Police are investigating what appears to be a deliberate arson attack on four ambulances operated by the Jewish Community Emergency Service, Hadzala, in the early hours of Monday morning. Authorities have classified the incident as an anti-Semitic hate crime, no injuries were reported, and firefighters have since extinguished the blaze. As a precaution, nearby homes were evacuated. Prime Minister Kierstarmler described the incident as a deeply shocking anti-Semitic arson attack, expressing support for the Jewish Community, and emphasizing that anti-Semitism has no place in society. Police superintendent Sarah Jackson stated that no arrests have been made so far, but investigators believe three suspects were involved. Officers also reported hearing explosions during the fire, likely caused by gas canisters inside the ambulances. And more than 2,000 residents were still without electricity on Sunday afternoon after Hawaii

12:28experienced its most severe flooding in over two decades, triggered by intense rainfall across the islands. The heavy downpour fell on ground, already soaked, from a winter storm the previous week worsening the impact. Flood waters searched through communities, lifting homes and vehicles, and causing an estimated one billion dollars in damages. Authorities issued evacuation orders for 5,500 people just north of Honolulu, though those orders were later lifted. More than 200 individuals were rescued from the rising waters, as of Sunday afternoon, low fatalities had been reported, according to a spokesperson for ORUs, Department of Emergency Management. Power restoration efforts were under way with about 1200 customers in Waiolulu on O'ahu Snow's shore having their electricity restored by Sunday afternoon. Service had been shut off proactively on Friday due to the flooding risk. Crows are continuing to evaluate damage and carry out repairs with plans to restore power

13:32to an additional 2,000 customers late Sunday. In Maui County, roughly 100 residents remained without electricity, while major outages on Hawaii Island had already been resolved. That was well due sports is up next. And just like that, Interprimary 2020-26 are over. It was an exciting three days last week with 19 private and public primary schools, with over 600 athletes competing for the championship title. After stiff competition, taking home third place was the Oceda Jali Primary School out of

14:32Louisville's Providenciales with 304.5 points. And second place with 311.5 points out of 5 T's Providenciales the Inet Caper in Primary School. And taking home the gold, the trophy returned to the nation's capital in first place with 362.5 points, the Onaglinton Primary School. The Onaglinton Tigers are the 20-26 Interprimary School Champions. After a competitive Interprimary competition, the students of the Onaglinton Primary School fought to the end and became the 20-26 Champions. The students were welcomed back to the nation's capital with a motor cane and a celebration at the school. We spoke with Principal of the School and Mrs. Rhoda Williams to get her reaction to the win. The Onaglinton Primary School continues to soar for excellence. And we put our best effort forward always. For God leading us ahead, we do all that is within our power, with God's help, so that

15:38our boys and girls can excel not only in academics, but in extracurricular and any task that we attempt to do. We determine in our hearts that we're going to soar for excellence. And God has been good to us at the Onaglinton Primary School and this is another way that he has demonstrated his goodness and his master's towards us. We also heard from assistant coach Akiya Lewis on their victory. So at first, going into Bravo, the kids were down. You could see that they were still trying to find their footing. And then after the first day, we actually had to go back and say, okay, we have to regroup ourselves and see, come again harder. And I want us in Miss Downer worked really hard. The coaching team that went behind her, we banded together and we decided to listen. We're coming. We're bringing this trophy back to the Capitol. So to see that all of our work that paid off, all the countless nights, the trainings, the beach days, the working out, all of that paid off.

16:38And I'm just so excited that the kids actually got to take home this victory this year. Congratulations to all athletes and schools on a job, well done. Now we'll turn our attention to Carifta. The 2026 Carifta Swimming Championships will be held in Martinique from April 4th through the 10th, marking a major regional event for young swimmers. The Turks and Kegos Islands has already named its Carifta Swim Team and it consists of live McNeil for the 11 to 12 girls, Kean Jules and Luke Durlyat for the 11 to 12 boys, Anaya Aline and Haley Williams for the 13 to 14 girls, Ezekiel Martin, Isaac Farley and Rishi Guru Raja for the 13 to 14 boys and Ethan Gardner competing for 15 to 17 boys. Team manager is Don Jules, head coach Jessica Soderquist and assistant coach Lincoln Martin. Again we wish you all the best on your endeavors and hopefully you bring back some medals from

17:39Martinique from the Carifta Games. That was Sports Let's Take a Look at the Weather. We'll turn over to the TCI National Weather Service for a look at your 3-day forecast. For the general situation, high pressure building over the Turks and Kegos Islands along with a dry air mass will support stable conditions with minimal chances of rainfall today. There are no public warnings in effect today, however there remains a moderate to high risk of rip currents in Atlantic waters and near shore along northern and eastern coastlines. Swimmers in these areas are urged to remain on shore. Today's forecast calls for partly the mostly sunny skies and fair tonight. Winds are coming from the northeast to east at 10-15 knots and the sea state slight to moderate with wave heights of 2-5 feet. The daytime high temperatures expected to rise to 82 degrees Fahrenheit with an overnight low temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

18:40Sunset will be at 7 o'clock PM, the next high tide at 12-20 PM and the next low tide 6-29 PM. Now taking a look at the extended forecast, pleasant weather will continue through midweek as high pressure and dry and the dry air mass remain in place, bringing mostly fair skies, minimal chance of rain and slight seas, ideal for outdoor activities and boating. Forecast for Tuesday, partly sunny with a high near 84 degrees Fahrenheit, Tuesday night, mostly fair with a low around 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds will be north east at 10-15 knots and seas slight to moderate with wave heights of 2-5 feet. Forecast for Wednesday, brief isolated showers possible in the morning, partly sunny skies with a high near 84 degrees Fahrenheit, Wednesday night mostly fair with a low around 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds will be easterly at 10 knots or less and seas will be smooth to slight with wave heights of 1-3 feet in sheltered areas and near shore and 2-4 feet offshore in Atlantic

19:43waters. And that is the 3-day public weather forecast issued on Monday to 23 March by the Turks and Kekers Islands National Weather Service. So listeners that wraps up the news for today if you missed today's presentation, you can always visit our website at www.rtc89fm.com or you can download the Radio Turks and GACOS app in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Thank you so much for tuning in, stay safe, I'm Zoya Fessler. Tonight's nation's report is brought to you by GK Foods. Join us again tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. for another edition of the nation's report.