Tourism Authority Bill Passed in Parliament
Our Danae Dennie reports on the Tourism Authority Bill recently passed in Parliament.
New Airline Routes for Turks and Caicos with BermudAir
Experience Turks and Caicos, along with the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA), are pleased to welcome BermudAir as it expands new and enhanced airlift into the Turks and Caicos Islands for the upcoming winter season.
This expanded schedule represents a significant boost in regional and North American connectivity to the Turks and Caicos Islands, strengthening access from key source markets and supporting continued growth in visitor arrivals.
The new routes to the Turks and Caicos Islands are as follows:
• Newark
Weekly nonstop (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19th through April 29th, 2027
• Boston
Weekly service (Saturdays), from December 19th through May 1st, 2027
• Baltimore-Washington
Weekly nonstop service (Thursdays), from December 24th through April 29th, 2027
• Raleigh-Durham
Twice-weekly nonstop service (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20th through May 2nd, 2027
• Fort Lauderdale
Thrice-weekly service (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26th through May 3rd, 2027
• St Petersburg/Tampa
Twice-weekly nonstop service (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21st through May 3rd, 2027
The introduction of these routes reflects strong confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading Caribbean destination, particularly during the peak winter travel season.
Experience Turks and Caicos will work closely with BermudAir on a targeted cooperative marketing campaign designed to promote the destination across key markets, stimulate demand, and ensure strong load factors across all routes. The campaign, targeted to the luxury traveller will include digital marketing and destination promotions aimed at highlighting the Turks and Caicos Islands’ world-class beaches, luxury accommodations, culinary experiences, and marine attractions, among others.
TCIAA welcomed the expanded service, noting its importance in strengthening the country’s airlift strategy and supporting sustainable tourism growth. The new alliance further demonstrates the value of TCIAA's investment in Routes conferences, where meaningful engagement with airline decision-makers helps translate conversations into new airlift opportunities that strengthen connectivity, support tourism growth and expand access to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Minister with Responsibility for Aviation, Hon. Arlington Musgrove... said that “Enhanced air connectivity is essential to economic growth, and these new routes strengthen access from key markets while creating additional opportunities for business, tourism and regional travel.
BermudAir has earned a Net Promoter Score of 70 percent, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
Guyana Moves Ahead to Transform National Security Infrastructure
Guyana is moving ahead with an ambitious plan to transform its national security infrastructure through AI-powered policing, digital services, and full-scale surveillance coverage expected to be completed by 2030.
The plan was outlined by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali during a media briefing at the Office of the President, where he detailed a shift toward fully integrated “smart” police stations supported by artificial intelligence and real-time data systems.
Under the proposal, traditional police station front desks will be replaced or supplemented by digital service points, online reporting systems, and 24-hour AI-supported operations designed to improve response times and reduce wait periods for citizens.
The smart stations will be connected to national databases and command centres, allowing officers to access and process information in real time. Authorities say the system will also support online crime reporting and automated service delivery, including police clearance requests that currently require in-person visits.
As part of the broader transformation, the government plans to deploy artificial intelligence tools for predictive policing and surveillance, including facial recognition, behavioural analytics, and automated threat detection.
Officials also confirmed that CCTV coverage will be expanded nationwide under the “Safe Country” programme, forming a unified surveillance network integrated with traffic monitoring systems already in use across parts of the country.
Existing pilot programmes include AI-enabled speed and traffic enforcement cameras that can identify repeat offenders and automatically generate reports for use in the judicial system. Mobile enforcement units have also been tested, with one pilot operation reportedly identifying more than 250 vehicles with outstanding infractions in a single night.
According to the president, the system is designed to operate with minimal human interference in enforcement processes.
Officials say the initiative is intended to strengthen public trust, improve efficiency, and modernise law enforcement through technology-driven governance.
3 DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST WEDNESDAY JUNE 3RD 2026
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS FROM WEDNESDAY JUNE 03RD 2026
GENERAL SITUATION: Saharan Dust over the Turks and Caicos Islands will contribute to hazy skies while reducing chances of shower activity across the islands today.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: A Saharan Dust Advisory is now in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Air Quality Index (AQI) will be Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and visibility may be significantly reduced in some areas. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should limit prolonged exposure by remaining indoors and wearing masks during this event.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: Partly sunny and hazy today. Mostly fair tonight.
WINDS: East to southeast at 10 to 15 knots
SEAS: Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet nearshore, building up to 5 feet offshore.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 91°F 33°C
HEAT INDEX 102°F 39°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 79°F 26°C
SUNSET: 07:28 PM
NEXT LOW TIDE: 05:06 PM (0.7 FT)
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 11:43 PM (2.6 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST: Saharan dust levels are expected to clear by Thursday morning as a frontal boundary slowly approaches the Turks and Caicos Islands, bringing increased moisture to the forecast area. The front is expected to linger near the islands through Friday, increasing the chances of isolated shower activity.
THURSDAY: Partly cloudy and slightly hazy, with a high near 90°F (32°C).
THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, with a low around 81°F (27°C).
WINDS: Southeasterly at 10 to 15 knots, becoming east to southeast in the afternoon.
SEAS: Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet nearshore, building up to 5 to 6 feet offshore.
SUNRISE: 06:05 AM
SUNSET: 07:29 PM
LOW TIDE: 06:01 AM (1.0 FT) 05:43 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 11:35 AM (2.0 FT) - - - - - -
FRIDAY: A low (10 to 20 percent) chance of isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 90°F (32°C).
FRIDAY NIGHT: A low (10 percent) chance of isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 81°F (27°C).
WINDS: East to southeast at 10 to 20 knots
SEAS: Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet nearshore, building up to 5 to 6 feet offshore.
SUNRISE: 06:05 AM
SUNSET: 07:29 PM
LOW TIDE: 06:39 AM (1.0 FT) 06:24 PM (0.7 FT)
HIGH TIDE: 12:15 PM (2.0 FT) - - - - -
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next seven days.
FORECASTER: H. HAMILTON
Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2026 Passed in Parliament
Road safety is essential for protecting lives in a country. And the new minister of Home Affairs Hon Akierra Missick has hit the ground running with the recent passage of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Parliament: our Danae Dennie has more.
Turks and Caicos Participates in Caribbean Financial Action Task Force 62nd Plenary Sessions
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) played a prominent role at the 62nd Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Plenary and Working Group Meetings, held in Trinidad and Tobago from May 24–28, 2026.
The TCI delegation was led by Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE KC, Attorney General and Chair of the Turks and Caicos Islands Anti-Money Laundering Committee.
The delegation included representatives from key agencies responsible for the territory’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, including the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Border Force, Financial Services Commission, Financial Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Attorney General’s Chambers, and the Anti-Money Laundering Committee Secretariat.
As the current Deputy Chair of the CFATF, represented by the Attorney General, the Turks and Caicos Islands continues to play a leading role in advancing regional efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The CFATF, comprising 24 member countries, serves as the Caribbean’s regional body affiliated with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and is responsible for assessing members’ compliance with the FATF’s 40 Recommendations.
Discussions during the meetings focused on regional and international AML/CFT developments, including lessons learned from the Fourth Round of Mutual Evaluations and preparations for the Fifth Round assessment process under the FATF Methodology. Member states also approved new procedures aimed at addressing unintended consequences affecting non-profit organizations.
Key priorities highlighted during the sessions included improving effectiveness ratings, strengthening inter-agency coordination, enhancing beneficial ownership transparency, increasing the use of financial intelligence, and advancing asset recovery and confiscation measures throughout the region.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is scheduled to undergo its next FATF assessment in 2028 as part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining compliance and demonstrating effectiveness under international standards.
TCI officials actively participated in technical working groups covering mutual evaluations, compliance monitoring, money laundering and terrorist financing typologies, operational cooperation, and technical assistance initiatives designed to strengthen regional capacity to prevent and combat financial crime.
The territory has also intensified its domestic preparedness efforts, recently conducting standards training for more than 80 public sector officials. Looking ahead, the Turks and Caicos Islands will host the 63rd CFATF Plenary in November 2026, welcoming regional and international experts to the territory.
In addition, TCI officials currently lead two regional project teams examining the risks associated with virtual assets and terrorism financing across the Caribbean.
Commenting on the territory’s involvement, Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles said the participation of key agencies reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s financial systems remain aligned with evolving international standards.
Mortgage Corporation Bill Passed in Parliament
The 2026 Mortgage Corporation Bill has been passed in the Turks and Caicos Islands House of Parliament.. Our Danae Dennie has more..
Haiti Heads to the 2026 World Cup Amid Gang Violence
When gang members set fire to the FIFA Goal Center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti earlier this year, they destroyed more than a football facility, they burned down a symbol of hope for the country.
For years, the center served as the heart of youth sports in Haiti, a place where young athletes trained, competed, and dreamed of one day wearing the national jersey.
Just months before the attack, the Haitian national team defeated Nicaragua in a World Cup qualifier, securing the country's place in the tournament for the first time in more than 50 years.
The victory sparked rare scenes of celebration across Port-au-Prince, and for a brief moment, football united a nation weighed down by violence, political instability, and humanitarian crisis.
With insecurity worsening at home, the national team has been forced to train abroad.
Haiti has qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice (1974 and 2026) and is the only Caribbean nation to have done so. Haiti has participated seventeen times in CONCACAF's premier continental competition, it is the only Caribbean team to have won a title, winning the CONCACAF Championship in 1973.
Haiti falls in Group C of the World Cup 2026 which consists of: Scotland, Morocco, and Brazil.
Haiti will play their first World Cup match on June 13th against Scotland.
According to the United Nations, gangs now control as much as 80 to 90 percent of the capital, including areas surrounding some of Haiti's most important sporting venues.
Among them is Sylvio Cator Stadium, the historic home of Haitian football. The national team trained there for decades, including its only previous World Cup appearance in the 1970s.
Today, the stadium serves a very different purpose.
As armed groups tightened their grip on the capital following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, the venue became a shelter for families displaced by gang violence.
Gangs now control key roads into and out of Port-au-Prince, restricting the flow of essential supplies and deepening Haiti's hunger crisis.
In many parts of the country, fear has become part of daily life.
And even the game that once brought people together has not escaped the violence.
TCI Health Delegation Visits Doctors Hospital in Bahamas
Minister of Health and Human Services Hon. Kyle Knowles recently led an official delegation to Nassau, Bahamas, for a series of high-level meetings with the executive management team of Doctors Hospital to discuss the potential reestablishment of the facility within the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Treatment Abroad Program (TAP).
The visit formed part of the Ministry of Health’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional healthcare partnerships and improve access to specialized medical services for residents when such services are unavailable locally.
Discussions focused on the steps required for Doctors Hospital Health System to rejoin the TAP network, including matters related to service capacity, referral processes, patient experience, quality assurance, clinical oversight, and administrative coordination.
Doctors Hospital is widely regarded as a leading healthcare institution in the region and was the first private acute-care hospital in the Caribbean to receive Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, a globally recognized benchmark for healthcare quality and patient safety.
During the visit, the delegation toured the hospital’s main facility in Nassau, including its newly commissioned cardiac catheterization laboratory, which began operations in February 2026. The facility provides advanced diagnostic and treatment services for cardiovascular and related medical conditions.
The delegation also visited the Kavala Medical Centre and toured the site of a new Doctors Hospital facility under construction in Grand Bahama. The new hospital is expected to become fully operational by the end of summer 2026.
As part of the mission, Hon. Knowles and members of the delegation visited the Western Atlantic University School of Medicine in Grand Bahama. Dean of the Founding Campus, Laura Welke, led an extensive tour of the institution, showcasing its administrative offices, lecture theatres, simulation laboratories, and clinical training facilities.
Minister Knowles said the visit reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring citizens have access to high-quality healthcare through strong regional and international partnerships.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Desiree Lewis described the meetings as productive and aligned with the Ministry’s broader objectives of strengthening the healthcare system.
The Chief Medical Officer and the National Health Insurance Board’s Interim Chief Executive Officer also participated in discussions, focusing on clinical governance, patient safety, quality standards, and program administration.
Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club 4th Annual Women's Golf Day
The Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club proudly hosted its 4th annual Women’s Golf Day on Sunday, May 31st, bringing ladies together for an afternoon of golf, friendship, laughter and celebration.
Dressed beautifully in black and white, the players brought style, spirit and warmth to the course. But more than anything, the day was a reminder of what makes women’s golf so special. It is not only about the scorecard. It is about encouragement, confidence, shared moments and the simple joy of playing together.
This year’s global theme, WOMEN GOLF DAILY, captured the spirit of a movement that continues to grow around the world. From May 26 to June 2, women and girls across the globe came together through golf, connection, community, wellness, learning and play.
What started as a one-day event has become a worldwide movement spanning more than 85 countries and over 1,350 locations, proving that women are not only participating in golf, they are helping shape its future every single day.
Women’s Golf Day is celebrated around the world as a way to connect women and girls through golf. For the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, it was a chance to celebrate both experienced players and those still growing their love for the game. Out on the course, there was plenty of good golf, but there was also plenty of support, plenty of laughter and that lovely sense of community that makes the game so rewarding.
The event showed exactly why golf is such a powerful sport for women. It creates space to compete, to learn, to relax, to cheer each other on and to build friendships that continue long after the final putt has dropped.
Tournament Results
Overall Winning Team, Score: 27
Andrea Todd
Warm Alquilos
Rachell Allen
Harriet Holloway
Second Place Team, Score: 28
Tazmara Gowens
Judy Dempsey
Teresa Brunner
Emma Halliday
Special Prize Winners
Closest to the Pin #10, Rachel Allen
Closest to the Pin #13, Janai Ferreira
Closest to the Pin #16, Mary Lou VanderHeide
Longest Holed Putt #17, Mary Lou VanderHeide
Closest to the Wine Bottle, Kirsty Anderson
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Vanessa from The Wine Cellar and Makayla from Wildflower Skincare Lab for providing such wonderful gifts for our participants.
Congratulations Ladies on a job well done.