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Two American men safe, on-board cruise liner after crash in Turks and Caicos waters

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Grand Sand Cay, March 6, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Turks and Caicos first responders rushed to support a pair of American men, who crashed into waters SE of Grand Turk on Tuesday morning.  As many as three vessels were dispatched explained Home Affairs Minister, Delroy Williams in response to the distress call, radioed in to the airport tower around 10 a.m.

The two reportedly were able to parachute from the plane and hold onto a life raft until help arrived.

The help also included the US Coast Guard; the Minister said their fixed wing located the passengers and was able to summon the assistance of a passing cruise ship – the Regal Princess.

The Regal Princess dispatched rescuers and now the two men are safely on board the cruise liner, en route to St Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

Video captured by passengers has made the evening news in the United States and can also be seen at online news sites like, CruiseHive.com. 

The single engine private plane had left St. Maarten when an engine blew out.  In that cell phone video, captured by a passenger, there is no sign of the plane and the men on that life raft appear to be nothing more than a spec.

Turks and Caicos Marine Police, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies and private boat operator Oasis Divers were racing toward to the crash site, near Grand Sand Cay; when news came that both people on the aircraft were rescued.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos Opens Team Members State of the Art Welcome Centre  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has officially unveiled its newly constructed Team Member Welcome Centre, marking a significant milestone in the resort’s ongoing Beaches 2.0 transformation.

The new facility, introduced as part of phase one of the development, is designed to centralize essential services and amenities for team members while elevating comfort, convenience and overall workplace satisfaction. The space now houses a state-of-the-art cafeteria, a multimedia training room, the human resources department, expanded locker and changing facilities and an automated banking machine- creating a comprehensive, one-stop hub for team members.

Speaking at the opening, General Manager Deryk Meany emphasized the broader vision behind the investment and its alignment with the brand’s evolution.

“This is one more step in Beaches 2.0 being consistent, providing personalized service and taking it to the next level for our team members to be comfortable. I want my team to know that this resort is the most ideal place to work and we are invested in their comfort and wellbeing” Meany stated.

The initiative reflects a growing recognition within the hospitality sector that employee experience is connected to guest satisfaction. Beaches Turks and Caicos has prioritized modern infrastructure and staff focused amenities to strengthen team engagement while reinforcing its reputation as a leading employer in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Regional Managing Director James McAnally described the Welcome Centre as a space for employees’ well-being and operational excellence.

“This project is a long-term plan that was designed to provide comfort for every team member,” McAnally said. “The new dining space can rival fine dining restaurants on the island. We have provided the best for our team and we want them to enjoy the amenities as we continue to enhance the family atmosphere at Beaches Turks and Caicos.”

The restaurant which is a standout feature of the new facility, offers a modern dining experience with upgraded seating, contemporary finishes and an enhanced menu selection. Designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind, the space reflects the resort’s commitment to quality for its team.

In addition to dining, the multimedia training room introduces advanced learning capabilities, supporting ongoing team development through interactive and technology-driven training sessions. The inclusion of human resources within the same complex further streamlines comprehensive space for staff related services, while the expanded locker and changing areas address a conducive working facilities space for the team.

Long-serving team member Carlton Salmon praised the development, noting its impact on morale and daily operations.

“This place is simply amazing,” Salmon shared.

“The style and design are similar to the new Treasure Beach Village. This is Beaches 2.0. Every team member has given positive ratings for not only the food, but the one-stop shop idea.”

The Welcome Centre’s opening signals more than just a physical upgrade. It shows that Beaches Turks and Caicos continues to position itself as a forward-thinking leader in Caribbean hospitality.

As phase one comes to fruition, anticipation is already building for future enhancements under the Beaches 2.0 initiative, which aims to further integrate innovation, community support and elevated service standards across the resort.

 

PHOTO CAPTION: The official ribbon cutting at the Welcome Centre has (l-r) Curtis Lee, Hotel Manager,  Phildreka Campbell, Learning and Development Manager,  Patricia Talbot, Restaurant Manager,  Javain Campbell,  Diamond team member, James McAnally, Regional Managing Director,  Deryk Meany,  General Manager,  Owenta Coleby, Human Resources Manager,  Tanya Swann,  Executive Assistant Manager Treasure Beach Village, and Dr Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, Director of Special Education Needs Services

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COURT DENIES BAIL; MISICK, HANCHELL AND CHAL MISICK TO REMAIN BEHIND BARS DURING APPEAL

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Turks and Caicos, July 6, 2026 – Former Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick will remain in prison as he appeals his conviction in the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) corruption case after the Court of Appeal refused his application for bail pending appeal.

The Court also denied bail to former Cabinet Minister McAllister Hanchell and attorney Thomas “Chal” Misick, meaning all three men will continue serving their custodial sentences at His Majesty’s Prison while the appeals process moves forward.

The ruling is a significant development in one of the territory’s most consequential criminal prosecutions. It means the convictions remain in effect, and the men will stay incarcerated unless the Court of Appeal later overturns their convictions or otherwise orders their release.

The Court found the applicants had not established the exceptional circumstances required for bail pending appeal. It also determined there was insufficient basis to conclude that the appeals were likely to succeed or that the men would complete most or all of their prison terms before their appeals are heard.

Michael Misick was sentenced in May to four years and 26 days after being convicted on three bribery counts. Hanchell received a three-year sentence for bribery, while Thomas “Chal” Misick was sentenced to four years following his conviction for money laundering.

The convictions followed years of investigations and court proceedings arising from the SIPT inquiry into allegations of corruption involving former public officials and government transactions.

While the appeals remain before the courts, Monday’s decision confirms that the three appellants will continue serving their prison sentences. Their legal challenge now shifts to the substantive appeal, where the Court of Appeal will determine whether the convictions or sentences should be upheld, varied or overturned.

 

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Warning Puts Spotlight on Governor’s Constitutional Responsibility for Financial Services  

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By Deandrea Hamilton

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (July 4, 2026) — The Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution assigns responsibility for the regulation of international financial services to the Governor, making Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam’s remarks at the Financial Services Commission’s Annual Industry Meeting on June 30, 2026 more than a ceremonial keynote—they were an assessment from the constitutional office responsible for safeguarding one of the country’s most important economic sectors.

Addressing industry leaders, the Governor said the jurisdiction must strengthen regulatory effectiveness, improve supervision and responsiveness, remain agile in the face of emerging risks, and protect its international reputation as financial services continue to evolve.

Those remarks naturally raise an important question: if these are the priorities confronting the sector, what measurable progress has been made under the constitutional authority charged with its oversight?

The Governor’s address outlined a series of challenges, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, virtual assets, anti-money laundering compliance and increasing international scrutiny. However, the speech did not identify specific local regulatory findings, performance measures or actions taken to demonstrate how those concerns are being addressed or what has been accomplished since previous industry meetings.

The most recent publicly available Financial Services Commission Annual Report, covering the 2021/2022 financial year, painted a considerably different picture. It described a financially sound regulator that exceeded its revenue target by 43 percent, generated more than US$14 million in revenue, and transferred US$8.5 million to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. The report also highlighted a resilient banking sector, profitable insurance operations and continued growth in registry activity.

Under Section 37 of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution, responsibility for the regulation of international financial services rests with the Governor, acting in her discretion. That constitutional mandate gives added significance to her assessment of the sector and, equally, invites public interest in understanding what measurable actions, reforms and outcomes have been achieved to maintain the credibility and competitiveness of one of the country’s most significant industries.

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