An Op-Ed by Martin Black, Rehabilitation versus punishment for people who have committed an offence is an argument that often divides opinion and one that has seen a change in direction within the justice system over time. Whilst breaking the law and committing offences certainly needs to have punitive consequences, rehabilitation and addressing the root causes of offending behaviour is often more effective at achieving long-term desistance. By focusing on the reasons why peo

The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) is notifying the public that a large area of Grace Bay will be closed to boat traffic all morning Saturday, 27 June 2026, until noon for the upcoming “Race for the Conch” Eco-Sea Swim. The diagram earmarked for restriction during the Race for the Conch Specifically, per the attached map, the swim race area includes the boat channel by the Club Med dock in front of Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe, as well as the water 100 met

50th Anniversary of Ministerial Government (1976–2026) The Junkanoo Club Incident and Its Impact 5-6 June 1975 and the Awakening of a Nation On the evening of 5 June 1975, few could have known that events unfolding around a youth club in Grand Turk would become part of the political history of the Turks and Caicos Islands. What began as a developing confrontation would soon dominate conversations across the country. Families listened for news. Communities watched anxiously. R

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) has announced a final extension of the Crown Land Amnesty Programme, giving eligible individuals until December 31, 2026, to regularise their land tenure and secure legal ownership of Crown land. The extension provides what officials describe as a last opportunity for qualified applicants to benefit from special concessions designed to help Islanders obtain legal title to Crown land before the programme officially concludes.

GK Foods booked their place in the final of the Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association (TCICA) Senior Men’s Cricket Competition after defeating Omars by 15 runs in an entertaining semifinal encounter at the Downtown Ball Park on Sunday afternoon. The GK Foods Team After winning the toss and electing to bat first, GK Foods posted a competitive 149 for 9 from their allotted 20 overs, thanks largely to a powerful innings from Rajakumar Kasi, who top-scored with 45 runs o

The House of Assembly on Monday June 1st approved the Mortgage Corporation Bill 2026, legislation that establishes a new statutory body aimed at expanding access to mortgage financing and increasing homeownership opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders. MISICK..."This bill is about fairness." Presenting the bill, Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick described the legislation as a direct response to the growing challenges many residents face in securin

Sonia Fulford has secured another four-year term as President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) after being re-elected unopposed during the Association's Congress held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the TCIFA National Academy. L-R Front, Seated: Lisa Garland (2nd VP), Sonia Fulford (President), Michael Mcdonald (1st VP). The L-R Back: Kenneth Adams, Ryan Blain (Director of Finance), Jamaine Malcolm, Paula Garland, Patrick Baptist, Patrice Senior,

United Way Turks and Caicos is celebrating another milestone in its flagship literacy initiative, the "Yes, I Can Read" programme, as students demonstrated remarkable reading improvements during a year-end event at the Ianthe Pratt Primary School on Wednesday, June 3. United Way Executives, sponsors and volunteers join Ianthe Pratt Primary School students for a photo op, following a read-a-thon and a prize-giving ceremony on Wednesday, June 3. The event brought together stu

Opposition Leader Hon. Edwin Astwood has challenged the Turks and Caicos Islands' reputation as a high-end tourism destination, arguing that the country's infrastructure and tourism product do not reflect the luxury image that has long been used to market the destination internationally. ASTWOOD... “Do we look like a high-end destination?" Astwood made the remarks during debate on the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority Bill 2026 in the House of Assembly on Tuesday

The Financial Intelligence Agency of the Turks and Caicos Islands (FIATCI) joins Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) globally in observing the inaugural International FIU Day on 9 June 2026. On this International FIU Day we recognize the essential role that Financial Intelligence Units play in protecting financial systems and supporting the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, and related financial crimes. International FIU Day provides an opportunity to highl

The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) has confirmed the death of a student who suffered a medical emergency while participating in an educational tour in Toronto, Canada. In a statement released on Tuesday, June 9, the College expressed profound sadness over the student's passing, which follows an earlier announcement on June 2 indicating that the student had been hospitalized and receiving medical treatment after becoming ill during the Faculty of Business

The Turks and Caicos Islands has achieved a landmark public health victory, becoming the first country or territory in the Americas to receive validation for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B, while also securing certification for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Dr. Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Representative for the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands presents the EMTCT Certificate to Minister of Health Hon. Kyle Knowl

The Missing Blueprint Behind TCI’s $551.1M Budget and $360M Borrowing Plan In a historic $551.1 million national budget, the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands announced its intention to borrow $360 million from the capital markets—framed as “curating capital with sustainable policy aligned investment” and “accelerating critical investments in infrastructure and social programs.” These are elegant phrases. They sound responsible, visionary, even prudent. But without p

The Turks and Caicos Islands will welcome a significant boost in airlift this winter with the launch of a new direct flight service from Toronto Pearson International Airport by BermudAir, further strengthening the destination's accessibility to the Canadian market. The flight will depart Toronto Pearson at 2:45 p.m. and arrive in the Turks and Caicos Islands at 6:40 p.m. The premium airline has announced that it will begin seasonal service to the Turks and Caicos Islands o

The Salt Rakers Aquatic Club proudly displayed the brand-new 2026 Kia K3, the grand prize in its upcoming fundraising raffle, during a promotional event held at Graceway Gourmet on Saturday, May 30. A female supporter, who purchased a raffle ticket for a chance to win the 2026 Kia K3 motorcar joined Bennett Williams, President of the Salt Rakers Aquatic Club in taking a photograph beside the car on Saturday, May 30, in the Graceway Gourmet Parking Lot. The raffle marks the

An Op-Ed by Donnie Gardiner Last week, I was privileged to participate in what I understand to be the Turks and Caicos Islands’ first-ever Youth Tribunal, a forum that brought together young people from across our islands to debate, deliberate, and speak on matters of national importance. Donnie Gardiner The topic put before us was this: Should the Turks and Caicos Islands prioritize controlling the cost of living over rapid economic growth? My answer, standing in front of th

Former Minister of Tourism and current government backbencher Hon. Josephine Connolly has strongly criticized the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority Bill 2026, describing it as a step backward for the country's tourism sector and calling for greater transparency and accountability over the finances of the former Tourist Board. CONNOLLY..."The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority might be better described as Tourist Board Mark 2." The legislation was piloted in

Oshin White (left) of Gaia Environmental and Kneyone Murray, the Caribbean Director for Blue Planet Alliance display the MoU document following the alliance On World Environment Day, local environmental consultancy Gaia Environmental has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blue Planet Alliance, formalising a partnership focused on knowledge sharing, collaboration, and supporting sustainable development in island communities. The agreement was sig

Jael De Jesus Rigby Triple murder suspect Jael De Jesus Rigby has been freed of four drug-related charges on Wednesday, June 3, after a Grand Turk magistrate upheld a no-case submission made by his attorney. Rigby appeared before Magistrate Pat Arana charged with two counts of possession of controlled drugs and two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. During the proceedings, defense attorney Oliver Smith argued that there was no case for Rigby to an

50th Anniversary of Ministerial Government (1976–2026) Series – Part 3…. Youth Unrest, Constitutional Frustration, and the Growing Voice of a People A Country Beginning to Change By the late 1960s, the Turks and Caicos Islands were beginning to change in ways many people could feel, even if they could not yet fully explain what was happening. JAGS McCartney Oswald Skippings Lewis Edwin Astwood and Edward Stacks For generations, the Islands had existed on the margins of co