Grand Turk Celebrates Emancipation Day
On August first the people of Grand Turk were decked out in white to participate in the Department of Culture's reenactment of the emancipation declaration and march as well as the unveiling of a Mary Prince statue at Emancipation Square.
The department held a ceremony where various officials brought remarks.
The audience then heard from Hon. Robert Hall with a reflection.
We also caught up with the Director of Culture Mrs. Odessa forbes to learn about the importance of the event and future cultural preservation.
Next, the various ministers and department leads unveiled the statue of mary prince on the emancipation square.
The emancipation celebration did not end there, later on in the evening a fish fry was held at the library tennis court where they had domino competitions, and live band performances. Many residents expressed that it was a great community event and they look forward to more cultural events.
Parliamentarians Discuss Integrity Commission Report
Political debate continues over the findings of Parliament's Select Committee review of the Crest Effectiveness Review of the Integrity Commission after Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam challenged several of the committee's conclusions in a letter to House Speaker Gordon Burton.
In the July 30 correspondence, the Governor said the committee's report contains what she described as "inaccurate or misleading" statements, including unsubstantiated allegations about the role of current and former Governors in the affairs of the Integrity Commission. She also questioned the report's handling of constitutional matters and called for the parliamentary record to be corrected.
Speaker of the House Hon. Gordon Burton read the speech in parliament. The Governor went on to state in the letter that the Select Committee's report wrongly suggests that the challenges facing the Integrity Commission are the result of the Governor's involvement, despite providing no evidence to support that claim. She argued that the report overlooks broader issues such as legislation, resources and governance. The Governor called for the parliamentary record to be corrected, asked that future debate be based on accurate facts and constitutional principles, and requested that her office be consulted on matters relating to her constitutional responsibilities before they are brought before Parliament.
The Premier and the Leader of the Opposition gave a response to her claims.
The Premier then went on to discuss the integrity commission further and gave more recommendations for moving forward.
Leader of The Opposition Highlights Water Crisis in Salt Cay
Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement and Leader of the Opposition t representing Salt Cay, Hon. Edwin Astwood, is calling for immediate Government action to address the worsening water and infrastructure crisis affecting the island.
Hon. Astwood said the concerns raised by residents are serious and cannot be treated as another routine maintenance issue. He said “The people of Salt Cay have been without a dependable water supply for far too long. Residents cannot properly flush their toilets, wash their clothing, clean their dishes or carry out basic household activities. This is no longer simply an inconvenience. It is a public-health, sanitation and human-dignity crisis.”
Residents have reported that the reverse-osmosis plant has been out of operation for an extended period. They have also received repeated assurances that replacement equipment was on its way, had been shipped or had already arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Despite those promises, the equipment has reportedly not reached Salt Cay, while the island’s water-storage tanks have now reached critically low levels.
Hon. Astwood stated: “The residents of Salt Cay have heard enough promises from this PNP Government. They need to know exactly where the equipment is, when it will arrive on the island and the date by which the RO plant will be restored to full operation.” Concerns have also been raised about several government-owned water-storage tanks that require repairs, as well as the serious deterioration of the canal that is necessary for drainage on the Island especially during times of Hurricanes.
A section of the canal reportedly damaged since October has continued to deteriorate and is now close to obstructing the proper flow of water. With the country in hurricane season, the failure to address this damage creates an additional and unnecessary danger for the community. “An unobstructed canal is critical during hurricane season. The responsible authorities have reportedly known about this damage for months. Allowing a small break to grow into a major obstruction reflects the wider failure to maintain Salt Cay’s essential infrastructure.”
Hon. Astwood is calling upon the Government to immediately:
1. provide an adequate and dependable emergency supply of potable water to affected residents;
2. confirm publicly the present location and status of the replacement RO equipment;
3. provide a firm date for the full restoration of the RO plant;
4. inspect and repair all government-owned water-storage tanks on Salt Cay;
5. immediately clear and repair the damaged canal;
6. assess the condition of the island’s roads and other neglected public infrastructure; and
7. communicate directly and regularly with residents until the problems are fully resolved.
TCI Border Force Extends Moratorium on Work Permits for Haitian Nationals
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has extended its moratorium on first-time work permits in designated unskilled occupations and visitor visas for Haitian nationals for another six months.
The extension took effect on 1st August and will remain in force until 31st January 2027. The Ministry of Immigration and Border Services said the measure is intended to strengthen immigration management, regulate the labour market and protect employment opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Existing conditions and exemptions will remain unchanged. The restriction will not apply to valid work-permit holders seeking renewals where legally permitted, skilled occupations with verified labour shortages, or exceptional cases approved by Cabinet or another relevant authority. According to the Ministry, Employment Services Department assessments indicate that sectors traditionally employing significant numbers of unskilled workers continue to have sufficient labour available. The extension will allow officials to continue reviewing market conditions.
Deputy Premier and Immigration Minister, Hon. Jamell Robinson said that government is committed to safeguarding the long-term interests of these Turks and Caicos Islands.
The policy continues as instability in Haiti drives displacement and irregular migration across the region. The International Organization for Migration reported in March that violence and instability had displaced more than 1.4 million people in Haiti.
The TCI has also faced continued maritime arrivals. In May, a joint operation involving TCI and United States authorities intercepted an overcrowded vessel carrying 240 people claiming Haitian nationality, approximately 15 miles south of the territory.
The Ministry reminded employers that applications must comply with the Immigration Act, regulations and applicable policies.
The Ministry says that further information is available from Employment Services at empservices@gov.tc, Border Force at borderforce@gov.tc, or by calling 649-338-2976.
RTCIPF Investigate Homicide
Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a man who was shot in Kew Town, Providenciales, last week.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has confirmed that 26-year-old Josh Andrew McIntosh has died after succumbing to injuries he sustained in a shooting on July 30. McIntosh had been receiving treatment at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre following the incident. Police have extended condolences to his family and loved ones.
With his death, investigators have officially reclassified the case as a homicide. Officers recovered a firearm at the scene, which is now undergoing forensic examination.
Detectives from the Serious Crime Unit say they are continuing witness interviews, forensic analysis and the review of all available evidence as they work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting. No arrests have been made at this time.
Police say they remain committed to reducing violent crime and are continuing to work with community partners, local stakeholders and other law enforcement agencies to prevent homicide levels from returning to those seen in previous years. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
PDM Hosts Press Conference on Issues in the TCI
The Peoples Democratic Movement recently held a press conference where the party leader, Doug Parnell, spoke to a plethora of issues. He spoke about the governors time in the islands, the police organization, and much more.
Take a listen to some of the highlights from that press conference.
The PDM plans to continue their conversation surrounding issues in TCI with another facebook live scheduled for 4pm today.
Pelican Energy Warns Grand Turk Residents Of Higher Bills
Residents of Grand Turk were cautioned about higher pelican energy bills on Friday July 9th at a Community Conversations meeting held by pelican energy.
The team spoke about their conversion capacity, fuel factor rates, the war between Iran and the US and also gave tips to lower your bills. During the Q and A sessions, many called for reimbursements for appliances damaged due to power outages, some called for better lighting, improvement of transformers and some recommended using a different and more affordable oil shipping company to assist in lowering the bills.
We spoke with the President of Pelican Energy Devon Cox to hear more on these increases.
With the uncertainty and instability of the US/Iran war, no timeline was given for when the prices will go down.
US Department of State Puts TCI On Level 2 Travel Advisory
The United States Department of State has reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for the Turks and Caicos Islands, urging Americans to exercise increased caution while visiting the destination due to crime.
According to the advisory, most crime occurs on Providenciales, where they believe police may have limited resources to investigate criminal incidents. The State Department warned that reports of sexual assaults, petty theft, purse snatching and pickpocketing continue to be concerns, particularly in popular tourist areas. Travelers are also being advised to remain alert for scams, including aggressive vendors offering "free" gifts that later result in demands for payment.
Officials are encouraging visitors to stay aware of their surroundings, avoid opening hotel or residence doors to strangers, exercise caution when walking or driving at night, and avoid physically resisting if confronted during a robbery. The advisory also reminds travelers that U.S. citizens who become victims of crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands can seek assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas. The State Department is also warning travelers about the Turks and Caicos Islands' strict firearms and ammunition laws.
According to reports, The updated advisory, issued on July 7, maintains the same risk level that has been in place since March 2025. While there were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators, the State Department said the advisory summary was updated.
The State Department said the safety and security of Americans remains its highest priority and noted that travel advisories are routinely reviewed and updated based on available safety information and developments in each destination.
Trinidad and Tobago's Passport Supply Runs Low
Trinidad and Tobago’s supply of passport booklets is reportedly nearing exhaustion, with concerns emerging that the country could face a shortage of the critical travel document if new supplies are not secured soon.
According to reports from Guardian Media, the remaining stock of passports has fallen to a critically low level, with sources indicating that immigration officials may have been instructed to slow the issuance process in an effort to preserve the remaining booklets.
The exact number of passports currently available has not been confirmed, but reports suggest that unless additional supplies arrive shortly, citizens could face difficulties obtaining new travel documents.
The issue reportedly stems from delays in the procurement process for new passports. According to Guardian Media, concerns were raised with the Ministry of Homeland Security since mid-2025 that existing passport stocks were declining and urgent action was needed to prevent a shortage.
Reports indicate that officials were previously informed that the country had approximately one year’s supply of passport booklets, estimated at between 80,000 and 100,000 documents. In 2023, Trinidad and Tobago reportedly issued a tender for the supply of passports, with the Canadian Bank Note Company, which has supplied the country’s passports since 2007, being awarded the contract in October 2024.
However, according to reports, the final contract was not signed before the 2025 General Election, leaving the agreement incomplete.
The Government has since moved toward transitioning from machine-readable passports to electronic passports, with Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander confirming that plans are underway for the introduction of e-passports. Hon. Alexander said the country must move toward a more modern passport system and indicated that the Government is working to complete the transition.
The Minister, however, did not provide details on the current passport stock levels, when additional booklets are expected, or whether processing times were intentionally slowed due to the shortage concerns.
Reports also indicate that some applicants have experienced longer waiting periods for passport processing, including those using expedited services. Citizens have expressed concern about possible delays, particularly those with upcoming travel plans, medical appointments, or educational commitments overseas.
One applicant told a news outlet that authorities may need to consider temporary measures if the shortage worsens, while another said any transition to a new passport system should have been properly planned before existing supplies became limited.
Meanwhile, officials familiar with passport production say obtaining new booklets is not a simple printing process. The documents require specialised security paper, embedded security features, quality checks, and international production processes before they can be issued.
According to reports, suppliers typically plan passport production months in advance due to the complexity involved.
The Government has said that backup plans have been activated and that Trinidad and Tobago will not be held to ransom by service providers. However, with the country’s passport supply reportedly running low, questions remain over how quickly additional booklets can be secured and when the new electronic passport system will be fully implemented.
World Chess Champion Suspended
Former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik has been suspended from international chess competitions for one year after the International Chess Federation (FIDE) found he violated its ethics and disciplinary codes by making public accusations of cheating against fellow players.
FIDE announced the decision following an investigation into complaints over statements made by the 51-year-old Russian grandmaster about several top players, including Czech grandmaster David Navara and American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky.
According to FIDE's Ethics and Disciplinary Commission, Kramnik breached the federation's rules on dignity, respectful treatment, bullying and cyberbullying, psychological abuse, and his responsibilities as a role model. The commission also found that he failed to cooperate with a Fair Play Commission investigation and made false or unjustified public accusations.
The commission imposed a two-year worldwide ban from participating in FIDE competitions or serving in official chess functions. However, the second year has been suspended for a three-year probationary period, meaning Kramnik will serve an active one-year suspension provided he commits no further violations. He was also ordered to complete 12 months of unpaid service benefiting the chess community.
FIDE said combating cheating remains one of its highest priorities but stressed that allegations must be handled through the federation's confidential reporting procedures and supported by evidence rather than made publicly. The governing body said publicly linking identifiable players to cheating without proof exposed them to "unjustified reputational and psychological harm." Among those affected was Czech grandmaster David Navara, who said Kramnik's accusations contributed to suicidal thoughts.
American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky also spoke publicly about the impact of the allegations before his death in October 2025.
During a livestream, he said the accusations made him feel that any future success would be viewed with suspicion. Authorities later ruled that Naroditsky died from accidental poisoning involving multiple substances.
Responding to the ruling, Kramnik said he intends to appeal. In a statement posted on social media, the former world champion said he was "absolutely confident" the decision would be overturned and vowed to pursue all available legal avenues to restore both justice and his reputation.
Kramnik held the World Chess Championship title from 2000 to 2007 and is regarded as one of the strongest players of his generation. His suspension bars him from competing in FIDE world championship events and carrying out official functions during the active period of the sanction.