Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 2 hurricane
As of 8:00 pm EDT, the center of Category 2 Hurricane Melissa is located about 425 miles south-southwest from Providenciales. Melissa is moving toward the west near 3 mph. A slow westward motion is expected tonight through the end of the weekend. A turn to the north and northeast is forecast on Monday and Tuesday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is forecast to continue over the next day or so, and Melissa is forecast to become a major hurricane tomorrow and is expected to still be a major hurricane when making landfall in Jamaica early next week.
The Turks and Caicos Islands could begin experiencing tropical storm or hurricane conditions midweek. Residents are urged to review and activate your hurricane action plan, Check and replenish essential supplies (food, water, first‐aid kit, medications, batteries). Secure outdoor objects (furniture, debris), trim tree branches, and consider sandbags or other flood‐mitigation steps Visitors: stay in contact with your hotel/lodging provider and follow any instructions from them.
Monitor updates from The Department of Disaster Management & Emergencies (DDME) and the Turks & Caicos National Weather Service for official information.
TROPICAL WEATHER ADVISORY #1: 0600 PM EDT SUNDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2025
OCTOBER 2025.
…MELISSA NEAR HURRICANE STRENGTH AND FORECAST TO RAPIDLY INTENSIFY THIS WEEKEND…
Visitors and residents are urged to prepare for possible tropical storm or hurricane impact to The Turks and Caicos Islands, mid to late next week.
View the updated report on Tropical Storm Melissa below.
AT 11 AM EDT, THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM MELISSA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.5° NORTH AND LONGITUDE 75.1° WEST.
MELISSA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 1 MPH. A SLOW WEST-NORTHWESTWARD OR WESTWARD MOTION IS EXPECTED TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT. A TURN TO THE NORTH AND NORTHEAST IS FORECAST ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF MELISSA IS EXPECTED TO MOVE NEAR OR OVER JAMAICA DURING THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK, AND IT COULD BE NEAR OR OVER EASTERN CUBA BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.
BAHAMAS Government defends decision to use dormant accounts
The Bahamas government is defending its decision to table legislation aimed at transferring funds from dormant accounts to the Disaster Emergency Fund saying that conservative estimates suggest that over 40 per cent of the country’s national debt exists because of climate change.
Prime Minister Phillip Davis told legislators that what’s needed today, more than ever, are innovative, strategic, and sustainable solutions taking on the most pressing climate-related challenges to create opportunities for a more resilient and prosperous future.
“And that is why we are here today. One of the things we have learned is that disaster preparation, and the funding and infrastructure that supports it, must be proactive. It must be sustained, and it must also be robust enough to account for the threats we face.”
Davis said that the resolution currently before the Parliament seeks to ensure that when disasters strike, the government has the financial capacity to respond swiftly, effectively, and equitably.
“In decades past, disaster management in The Bahamas was, unfortunately, reactive, focused mainly on disaster emergency response in the aftermath of a storm,” he said, noting that the passage of Hurricane Dorian on September 1, 2019 “laid bare how woefully unprepared we were for this era of more frequent and more intense storms.
“We cannot allow the flawed response and recovery mechanisms that were exposed by Dorian to be repeated. This is why, in recent years, this administration has transformed our approach from managing disaster responses to managing disaster risk.”
He said the establishment of the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRMA) represents a fundamental shift in mindset with the focus being on risk reduction, mitigation, preparedness, and recovery.
“We are focused on building resilience before the storm and then rebuilding stronger after it.
The passage of the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2022, was a turning point. It provided the legal foundation for a comprehensive, structured, and accountable disaster management system,” Davis said.
He said this change necessitated a new model for funding disaster-related efforts and that the new strattegy was prepared by the Ministry of Finance in consultation with the DRM Authority and supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
“It is a practical, evidence-based, best practice-aligned plan that funds every stage of our disaster risk management cycle. We are funding risk analysis, which allows us to know the extent of the risks we are facing. We are funding risk reduction, so we can take decisive, proactive action to minimise damage before it occurs.”
Davis said the strategy was developed by experts using advanced risk analyses and post-disaster risk assessments to identify our risk profile, quantify potential losses, and enhance our financing capacity, ensuring that our mitigation and response mechanisms are adaptive and resilient.
”The findings from the work of these experts are sobering. The government faces potential losses of up to US$700 million from major hurricane and flood events,” Davis said, adding “that is the scale of damage the government must be prepared to face from a disaster”.
He said the strategy recommends a layered approach such as a blend of investments, insurance, and reserves to diversify risk and reduce fiscal pressure.
Prime Minister Davis said that the resolution beforethe Parliament represents another important step forward toward funding the country’s disaster risk management efforts.
He said under Section 19 of the Disaster Risk Management Act, the Disaster Emergency Fund must be maintained and used to finance response, rehabilitation, recovery, and financial protection instruments.
Prime Minster Davis said the experts have determined that this Fund should hold a minimum of US$17 million to ensure adequate liquidity following a severe natural disaster.
“This resolution authorises the transfer of US$17 million from the dormant account proceeds held by the Treasurer, which are now part of the Consolidated Fund, into the Disaster Emergency Fund.
“These dormant accounts are, essentially, unclaimed resources that can now serve a national purpose. Resources that were sitting idle can now be used to invest in our future and serve as the first line of defence when disaster strikes,” Davis said, noting that currently, regulations and operating procedures are being developed to ensure the efficient and effective management of these funds.
He said the regulations will clearly outline what the funds can be used for, how unused funds can be invested to grow the fund, what will activate their use, and the appropriate steps that must be taken to ensure accountability.
Davis said that these funds ensure that when disaster strikes, the government can mobilise immediate assistance without delays or dependence on external financing.
“By capitalizing this Fund today, we are advancing the goals of our Comprehensive Financial Strategy for Disaster Risk Management. And we are reducing potential losses by 45 per cent over the next decade, which will improve fiscal resilience so that each storm that makes landfall does not drive us deeper into debt.
“We cannot prevent storms from forming. But we can strengthen our nation’s capacity to withstand and recover from them,” Davis said, adding “that is what today is about”.
Source-CMC
Another plea for Caribbean countries to become full members of the CCJ
A senior Guyana government minister has taken Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to task over the decision of some of them not to be full members of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that was established two decades ago to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s highest and final court.
“It is an oddity, some countries still prefer, six or seven decades after they have attained from Her Majesty’s government, continue to cling to an institution that is of a colonial creation—Her Majesty’s Privy Council and that remains an oddity, it flies in the face of Caribbean integration and regional unity,” said Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.
Speaking on his weekly “Issues in the News” programme on Tuesday night, Nandlall said that even while regional countries preach regional integration and unity, some of them still do not see the need to make the CCJ their final Court.
“Most of the independent Caribbean territories have not signed on and that is a travesty. We often speak about regional integration which is being passionately perused, we passionately pursue our rights as sovereign nations, issues such as regional unity, issues such as the creation of a common single market and economy and here it is that can’t get our acts together to support one of the most significant regional institutions in the Caribbean—the Caribbean Court of Justice,” he said.
The CCJ was established on February 14, 2001 and is is intended to be a hybrid institution: a municipal court of last resort and an international court vested with original, compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction in respect of the interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Dominica and St. Lucia are full members of the court, while all the other CARICCOM countries are signatories to the Original Jurisdiction of the Court that serves as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
“There is hardly another institution of greater significance than the CCJ and countries in the Caribbean, who are otherwise the champions of regional causes are not signing up to the most premier regional institution, the CCJ,” Nandlall told his viewers.
He said that the seat of the court is based in Trinidad and Tobago and yet that country “has not signed on.
‘No one can force a sovereign government to join the court, but we have to exert more efforts in getting countries in the CARICOM region to sign on to the Appellate jurisdiction of the court. I don’t think one can fault the quality of jurisprudence “.
Nandlall said that the quality of judgements emanating from the CCJ “can hold its own against any courts of similar jurisdiction,” he said, adding that he has appeared before the CCJ both as a private lawyer and as a government minister.
He said he has also appeared before international courts, having just returned from making an appearance before he Paris-based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) “and the Caribbean Court of Justice can stand and hold its own with any of these international tribunals.
”So it is really an enigma that it is not winning the support of the rest of the Caribbean and we all have to work to change that,” he said.
Earlier this month, the CCJ President, Justice Winston Anderson, urged CARICOM countries that are not full members of the Trinidad-based court to do so, saying that since its establishment 20 years ago, the CCJ has produced a well-deserved and proud record.
Addressing a special sitting to commemorate his inauguration as the fourth president of the CCJ, Justice Anderson said that first and foremost, the emphasis will be on the continued production of superior judgments and that the CCJ has firmly rooted the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) in the rule of law ensuring the rights of all Caribbean citizens are respected.
“A sense of belonging to a community governed by law has begun to take shape in our region,” he said with regards to the CSME, which allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the region
The Jamaican-born jurist, who was sworn into office in Jamaica in July, said that he hopes during his tenure to continue progressing the efficiency and transparency of the CCJ’s work, noting that in the 20 years of its existence, the CCJ has accumulated a significant body of judicial precedents.
He said the court has delivered a total of 347 decisions comprising 40 in the Original Jurisdiction (OJ), including an advisory opinion and 307 decisions in the Appellate Jurisdiction (AJ) .
Source- CMC
Trump administration seeks to dissolve remaining order blocking National Guard deployment to Portland
The Trump administration has filed a motion seeking to dissolve the remaining order preventing them from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon.
The filing on Monday came after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned, earlier that day, another temporary restraining order that prevented the Trump administration from deploying the Oregon National Guard to Portland. A panel of judges found that the Trump administration was likely to succeed on the merits of its challenge to the TRO.
A broader order that prohibits any state's National Guard from deploying into Portland remains in effect.
Source- ABC
D'Angelo's discography sees increase in streams following his death
D'Angelo fans have been running up his streams as they listen to his discography in the wake of his death. Billboard reports his catalog has seen a 796% increase in one week, going from 1.8 million official on-demand U.S. streams from Oct. 3 to Oct. 9 to 16.1 million streams from Oct. 10 to Oct. 16.
D'Angelo's songs have also individually seen a rise in streams and have even made it onto the Hot 100. “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” got 2.5 million streams in the week starting Oct. 10 and currently sits at #25 on the list.
"Lady" garnered 2.2 million streams and secured the #10 spot, while "Brown Sugar" got 1.9 million streams and placed at #27.
The three tracks are also on the Hot R&B Songs chart, with "Untitled" at #7, "Lady" at #8 and "Brown Sugar" at #10. They join Black Messiah songs "Really Love" at #14 and "Sugah Daddy" at #22 on the list, giving D'Angelo five entries on the Hot R&B Songs.
The late singer's music has additionally sold 9,000 digital track downloads; his bestselling song, “Untitled," currently tops the R&B Digital Song Sales chart after it sold 2,000 copies.
Source-ABC
Promotion Examinations Successfully Conclude
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the promotion examinations to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector.
This year, over one hundred (100) officers participated in the examinations, which were
administered and supervised by officials from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. The UWI team comprised Professor Corin Bailey, Ms. Kim Sealey, and Mrs. Melanie Callender-Forde.
The examinations were conducted at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College in Providenciales and the H.J. Robinson High School in Grand Turk. Officers from across the Force sat for both the Sergeant and Inspector-level examinations.
Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey met with the UWI officials today and was briefed on the overall administration of the process. He commended the smooth execution of the examinations and reaffirmed his confidence in the transparent and accountable process undertaken.
Commissioner Bailey also expressed his gratitude to the UWI for their partnership and professionalism in administering the examinations, noting that their involvement reinforces the integrity and credibility of the promotion process.
Commissioner Bailey stated, “I am aware that change will have its resistance, however, if we are
to achieve progress, we must embrace change. I have every confidence in the fairness and integrity of the process, and I look forward to the results as we continue to strengthen the leadership within the Force. The Executive extends best wishes to all officers who participated and remains committed to ensuring merit-based advancement and professional development across all ranks.”
The next phase of the promotional process — the interview stage — will be announced once the examination scripts have been marked and finalized.
INTERNATIONAL CHILD SAFEGUARDING WEEK OBSERVED IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
The Turks and Caicos Islands proudly joins the global community in observing International Child Safeguarding Week under the theme “Prevention: Act Before Abuse.” This observance serves as an important reminder that the protection of children, adolescents, adults at risk, and older persons is a year-round, shared national responsibility, one that extends beyond the walls of government and into every home, school, church, business, and community group across our islands. The Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) continues to advance public awareness and strengthen multi-agency coordination in safeguarding, with the goal of enhancing accountability and fostering action across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Speaking on the occasion, Director of Family and Children Services, Ms. Ashley Adams emphasized that safeguarding is not limited to professionals within the social or human services sectors but is a collective duty grounded in awareness, vigilance, and moral courage.
“Safeguarding is everyone’s business. From the classroom and the clinic to our churches and community groups, each of us has a role to play in ensuring that those who are most vulnerable are protected. When we see something concerning, we must speak up. Silence protects abusers—reporting protects people. The system begins with you.”
Throughout the week, the DFCS will continue its outreach and education efforts, focusing on helping members of the public recognize the signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and understand how to report concerns safely and confidentially. The Department is also urging organizations and institutions that work with children and vulnerable persons to use this week as an opportunity to review and strengthen their internal safeguarding policies and procedures in preparation for the upcoming national safeguarding licensing requirements.
Employers, educators, and community leaders are reminded of their obligation to ensure that all staff and volunteers are properly vetted, trained, and aware of their duty to protect and report concerns involving any child under their care or within their facilities. Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant. Early reporting can prevent harm and save lives. Reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation should be made directly to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or, in emergencies, by calling 911. The public is further reminded that sharing sensitive safeguarding information on social media can compromise investigations and cause additional harm. All concerns should be reported directly to the appropriate authorities for professional follow-up.
Delivering a charge to the public, the Honourable Shaun Malcolm, Minister of Home Affairs, Religious Affairs and Transportation, underscored the importance of vigilance and compassion in building a safer, more caring society, “This week is more than awareness, it is a call to action. Safeguarding begins with you. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a neighbour, or a friend, your voice matters. If you see harm, say something. When you say something, we can safeguard together.”
As the Turks and Caicos Islands observes International Child Safeguarding Week, the Department of Family and Children Services encourages all residents to reaffirm their commitment to creating safe environments where every child, family, and vulnerable adult can thrive, free from fear, harm, and exploitation.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS JOIN THE GLOBAL OBSERVANCE OF WORLD FOOD DAY 2025
The Turks and Caicos Islands proudly join the global community in observing World Food Day 2025, as well as the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), founded in 1945.
This year, World Food Day is celebrated under the inspiring theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and Better Future.”
Observed annually on 16 October, World Food Day serves as a call to action to end world hunger, enhance food security, and improve global nutrition. According to the FAO, approximately 673 million people worldwide continue to live with hunger. Meeting the needs of a growing global population will require collaboration across borders, sectors, and generations.
As part of its ongoing mandate to improve food security in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Department of Agriculture has organised a series of activities in recognition of this year’s observance.
On Saturday, 11 October 2025, the Department distributed 500 seedlings and facilitated an exchange among backyard farmers who shared plants and planning materials in Providenciales.
October 16, 2025, saw a field day was hosted at the Government Kew Farm, North Caicos, where farmers, students, and members of the public participated in demonstrations on seed sowing techniques based on seed size. Attendees also received seedlings to start or expand their own backyard gardens—an initiative aimed at strengthening local food production and resilience.
Later this month, residents of Grand Turk will receive seeds and potting mixtures to begin their own backyard gardens as part of the Department’s continuing outreach efforts.
As we celebrate this important milestone, the Department of Agriculture encourages every resident to play a part in securing the nation’s food future by establishing backyard gardens, importing pest, and disease-free agricultural products and live animals (pets and livestock), and participating in agricultural training workshops. Together, we can build a more sustainable and food-secure Turks and Caicos Islands.
TCICC Achieves Historic 32% Enrolment Growth: A Testament to Transformation, Trust, and National Pride
The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) proudly announces a historic 32% increase in student enrolment compared to the 2024 academic year, marking the largest enrolment growth in the institution’s three-decade history. This milestone underscores TCICC’s ongoing transformation under visionary leadership and reflects renewed national confidence in the College as the premier provider of accessible, world-class tertiary education.
From 2022 to 2025, TCICC’s student population expanded from 350 to 619, representing an impressive 76.9% overall increase within just four years.
This remarkable growth highlights TCICC’s evolution into a modern, student-centred institution dedicated to academic excellence, innovation, and national development. Enrolment gains were observed across multiple programmes.
A key milestone this semester is the transition of the Nursing Programme to the Providenciales Campus, a strategic move designed to enhance access to training in one of the nation’s most critical fields. This initiative underscores TCICC’s enduring commitment to equity, accessibility, and opportunity for all Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO, expressed immense pride and gratitude for the College’s continued progress:
“This record-breaking increase in enrolment stands as a powerful affirmation of TCICC’s transformation and the unwavering belief of our people in the value of higher education and training at home. It reflects the strength of our renewed vision, the impact of our dynamic marketing efforts, and, most importantly, the confidence and pride of a nation that continues to choose TCICC as the driving force of national development.”
The TCICC Board of Governors continues to play a vital role in guiding the institution’s strategic direction and growth.
Mrs. Sheba Wilson, Chairman of the Board, stated:
“The Board of Governors commends the leadership and staff of TCICC for their continued dedication to expanding access to quality tertiary education. These growing numbers speak volumes about the College’s relevance and its steadfast commitment to producing skilled, competent, and visionary graduates who will contribute meaningfully to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Board remains deeply committed to supporting the College’s leadership as they pursue the strategic goals and objectives that will further strengthen TCICC’s role in national development.”
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture has been instrumental in supporting TCICC’s mission through the national #IAMTCICC campaign, which promotes pride and participation in local higher education.
Hon Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, congratulated the TCICC community, stating:
“This achievement reflects the success of our collective efforts to make higher education more inclusive and impactful for all Turks and Caicos Islanders. TCICC continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the national agenda for education and human capital development, and the Ministry remains proud to support its ongoing growth.”
As TCICC continues to expand its programmes and reach, prospective students are encouraged to take the next step in their academic journey. Spring 2026 enrolment is now open and will close on 1 December 2025.
The College offers Pre-College, Associate, and Bachelor’s Degree programmes across seven faculties,alongside Professional Short Courses and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) opportunities at campuses in Grand Turk, Providenciales, and South Caicos.
