Police conducts major operations in Provo
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, alongside our partners, the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, and our Jamaica Constabulary Force and Barbados Police Service counterparts continue to maintain round-the-clock visibility in key areas with a firm zero-tolerance approach aimed at disrupting organized crime networks and restoring community safety.
Recent operations have focused heavily on Five Cays, Dock Yard, Kew Town, and Blue Hills, with high-visibility vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), snap raids, and mobile and foot patrols being deployed.
These efforts are designed to disrupt gang movement, deter criminal activity, and gather vital intelligence directly from the communities.
The Force leadership, led by Commissioner Fitz Bailey, along with Acting Deputy Commissioner Kendall Grant and Acting Assistant Commissioner Dwight Gardiner, were present as part of the operations, one of which took place in Five Cays on 26th June.
The Executive supported frontline officers and assured members of the public that Officers are working relentlessly to secure the safety of their communities and, by extension, the TCI.
Fire gutted wooden structure in Blue Hills
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) responded to reports of a fire in Blue Hills at approximately 3:31on on Friday June 27, 2025.
RTC News was informed that the fires occured on Mary Jane Lane.
Upon arrival, police officers and firefighters found several wooden structures completely engulfed in flames.
Officers promptly took action to ensure public safety by evacuating the affected area.
No injuries were reported; however, checks remain ongoing to determine the number of displaced individuals.
The fire is now under control this evening.
Officers are working closely with fire officials to ascertain the cause of the blaze.
St Lucian hotelier becomes first Caribbean recipient of international award
The president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Sanovnik Destang, has become the first Caribbean hotelier to receive the prestigious AAHOA/NABHOOD Outstanding Hotelier Award.
It said that this is the first time a Caribbean hotelier will receive the award, jointly presented by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD).
It recognises hoteliers who exemplify exceptional leadership, innovation, and a commitment to creating opportunities within the hospitality industry.
“Recipients demonstrate vision, dedication, and the ability to elevate hotel performance and community impact,” the CHTA said, adding that the award will be presented during the Hilton Awards Luncheon on July 23, as part of the 29th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show to be held here.
The St. Lucian hotelier is a chartered accountant and chartered financial analyst, whose “leadership and forward-thinking approach were further affirmed through his appointment as CHTA President in 2024, where he continues to advocate for regional cooperation and innovation across the tourism sector,” the CHTA added.
Source-CMC
Edgecombe selected third overall by 76ers in NBA draft
VJ Edgecombe of the Bahamas created history on Wednesday when he was drafted third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2025 NBA Draft.
By doing so, the 19-year-old guard became Baylor University’s (BU) highest draft pick in program history.
Edgecombe became the fifth player from BU to earn a top-10 pick, the previous highest being Ekpe Udoh at No. 6 overall in 2010 by the Golden State Warriors.
The Bears are the only program in the country with top-19 picks in each of the last five drafts.
Edgecombe, who was part of the Bahamian national team last summer alongside multiple current NBA players could be a long-term complement to All-Star Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia’s backcourt.
In his lone year at BU, Edgecombe averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, while shooting 43.6 per cent from the field, 34.0 per cent from three and 78.2 per cent from the free throw line.
He was named the Big 12 Rookie of the Year and named to both the All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Freshman teams.
Source- CMC
Brad Pitt's Los Angeles home burglarized: Law enforcement sources
Brad Pitt's Los Angeles home was ransacked by burglars Wednesday night, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
Officers responded to the home in the Los Feliz area around 10:30 p.m. PT. Three suspects had jumped over a fence to gain entry to the yard, then broke in through a front window, sources said.
The home was "ransacked," with an unknown number of items taken, according to police. Police are investigating and will utilize any surveillance video from the home and the area.
The LAPD did not officially confirm the occupant of the home, but sources confirmed to ABC News that it was Pitt's residence.
It's unclear if the star was targeted or if, as is often the case, it was just another pricey home that was hit that happened to be his, sources said.
The actor was not home at the time; he has been publicly on the road promoting the new movie F1.
ABC News has reached out to his representative for comment.
Source- ABC
Supreme Court decision bolsters efforts to defund Planned Parenthood
The Supreme Court on Thursday said individual Medicaid recipients do not have a right to sue over their state's decision to cut off Planned Parenthood from the government-funded health insurance program for low-income residents.
The 6-3 decision, which broke along ideological lines, was a significant victory for conservative efforts to defund the private health clinic network, clearing the way for other states to follow suit.
"The Supreme Court rightly restored the ability of states like South Carolina to steward limited public resources to best serve their citizens," said John Bursch, the attorney who defended South Carolina before the high court.
Planned Parenthood draws more than a third of its revenue from government grants, contracts and Medicaid reimbursements for non-abortion care, like cancer screenings and contraception treatments.
"Today's decision is a grave injustice that strikes at the very bedrock of American freedom and promises to send South Carolina deeper into a health care crisis," Planned Parenthood South Atlantic president Paige Johnson said in a statement.
The organization, which said it has served more than 50,000 state Medicaid beneficiaries so far this year, vowed to continue operations at its two South Carolina clinics.
Source- ABC
Survey and Mapping Department Kicks Off Enterprise GIS and Geo Database Restructuring Initiative
The Department of Survey and Mapping has officially kicked off a transformative initiative to modernise the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s spatial data infrastructure through the development of an Enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS) and the restructuring of its geo-database. This project is being led by Acting Director Mr. Demarco Williams in collaboration with Spatial Innovation Ltd., the consulting firm engaged to deploy the ArcGIS Enterprise Solution. This transformative project aims to enhance data sharing and collaboration among government departments, ultimately improving service delivery to the community.
From June 16-20, 2025, the project team, including consultants from Spatial Innovation Ltd. conducted a fact-finding and needs assessment mission. The purpose of this initial mission was to assess the current IT infrastructure, existing GIS workflows, data management practices, and institutional capacity for spatial data governance. The assessment also focused on identifying interdepartmental data needs, integration opportunities, and priorities for system design.
During the mission, consultations were held with over 12 key government departments, including Land Registry, Crown Land Unit, Department of Environment & Coastal Resource, Planning Department, Department of Statistics, and others. These engagements provided valuable insight into the existing challenges and opportunities for improved collaboration, data sharing, and spatial analysis across government functions.
“Geographical Information Systems technology has the potential to revolutionise how we operate as a government,” said Acting Director Demarco Williams. “By restructuring our geo database and creating an enterprise GIS, we are laying the groundwork for improved decision-making, resource allocation, and service delivery. This initiative will benefit not only government agencies but also the communities we serve.”
Once implemented, the new Enterprise GIS will serve as a centralised platform for storing, analysing, and sharing geospatial data across ministries and departments, enabling government departments to make data-driven decisions that enhance operational efficiency and transparency. By fostering collaboration and data sharing, the initiative aims to break down silos and promote a more integrated approach to governance. Key benefits will include enhanced data accessibility, increased inter-agency collaboration, streamlined operations, and improved transparency in land and infrastructure planning.
The Department of Survey and Mapping looks forward to continuing engagement with stakeholders as the project progresses into its design and deployment phases. This initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to modern digital governance and data-driven decision-making for the sustainable development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Sheba Wilson Appointed to Financial Services Board Of Commissioners
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has announced the appointment of Ms Sheba Wilson as a Commissioner on the Financial Services Commission Board of Directors.
This was granted based on an expressions of interest and in accordance with Section 5(1) of the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2007,
Ms Wilson is a Strategic Human Resources Executive with over 14 years experience in driving organisational change and culture transformation, workforce planning and strategic HR policy development. She currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Grace Bay Resorts and earlier in her career worked in roles at the Belize Bank TCI Ltd and International Banking Group.
Commenting on Ms Wilson’s appointment, the Governor said:
‘I am pleased to appoint Ms. Sheba Wilson as a Commissioner (non-executive director) on the Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission. Ms. Wilson brings a strong track record in workforce transformation, organisational development and strategic leadership. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the Commission undertakes organisational reforms to strengthen its governance and better meet the growing expectations of the financial services sector. I am confident that Ms. Wilson’s expertise will contribute meaningfully to the Commission’s efforts to build institutional capacity, enhance regulatory effectiveness and support the sustainable growth of the financial services industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands.’
The Financial Services Commission will be hosting its annual Industry Stakeholders Day on Friday June 27, 2025 to provide a key opportunity for dialogue and collaboration on the future of the sector.
RTC News will have more on this in a later newscast.
Alleged assessment wrong and leaked, according to White House
US media are reporting that an initial assessment produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency says US strikes on Iran only set back its nuclear programme by a few months.
In a post on social media, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, says: "This alleged 'assessment' is flat-out wrong and was classified as 'top secret' but was still leaked to CNN by an anonymous, low-level loser in the intelligence community.
"The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program.
"Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000 pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration."
The BBC's US partner, CBS News, reports that a source familiar with the assessment has confirmed to them that a preliminary assessment indicates the strikes set back the programme by months, and did not obliterate the facilities.
The source says the assessment indicates strikes on the Fordo facility caved in the entrances but that the enrichment infrastructure buried further underground remains largely intact.
They also appear to contradict Leavitt's claim about the quality of the assessment, saying such preliminary assessments tend to hold up.
Source-BBC
White House to hold a classified briefing with Congress on Friday
The White House has scheduled a classified briefing with Congress on Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said, following days of frustration over Trump's decision to order strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities without congressional approval.
"Senior administration officials will present the latest information pertaining to the situation involving Israel and Iran," Johnson wrote on X.
The confirmation from Johnson comes after a classified briefing scheduled for Tuesday with members of the Senate was abruptly cancelled earlier today, sparking outrage among Democrats.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the postponement "outrageous", "evasive" and "derelict".
Lawmakers in both parties have accused Trump of an abuse of powers by directly involving the US in attacks on Iran without congressional approval.
However, Johnson and a majority of Republicans have mostly backed Trump's decision, pointing to past presidents from both parties who engaged in foreign conflict without the okay from Congress.
Source-BBC