LOCAL NEWS

Next  Consultative Forum discusses new Constitution Thursday, April 15, 2010 Kate Sullivan, who has been assigned the task of creating a new constitution, drafting requirements for belongership and electoral reform, made her first appearance before the Consultative Forum on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. However, she was not able to provide many of the answers the Forum members were requesting. read more... More Middle Caicos land controversy Thursday, April 15, 2010 There appears to be yet another controversial issue with land on the northern shore of Middle Caicos. In block 40104, which includes the community of Conch Bar, the original lots went down to the sea. Many years ago, a narrow buffer area along the beach road in front of the residential lots was established. read more... Pastor Campbell prepares for departure Thursday, April 15, 2010 Pastor Oral Campbell, who has been the pastor of the three Baptist churches of Middle Caicos, will be heading home to Jamaica at the end of April. Delivering his last messages to the people of Middle Caicos from the three pulpits, he left the faithful with regret at losing their leader. read more... Middle Caicos hosts PNP candidate Thursday, April 15, 2010 Carlos Simons, the former chairman of the Consultative Forum and now candidate for leadership of the Progressive National Party (PNP), appeared for his first introduction at a PNP Branch meeting at the Community Centre of Middle Caicos on Saturday, April 10. The private meeting of party faithful heard the new candidate... read more... Latest Middle Caicos land deal revelations Thursday, April 15, 2010 Despite the pain of the TCI Bank closure, the possibility of 1,250 acres of Middle Caicos Crown land being spirited away during the Michael Misick administration is currently the top story in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Rumours and reports are now emerging from beneath the surface of the massive land transfer. read more... Politicians weigh in on bank closing Tuesday, April 13, 2010 In a short but outspoken press release, former premier Michael Misick has attacked both the British government and his brother’s law partner claiming they (the British and Clive Stanbrook) are responsible for the closing of the TCI Bank. The former premier claimed Stanbrook withdrew millions from the TCI Bank. read more... Britain flip flops on critical issues Saturday, April 10, 2010 In the last ten days, a number of critical issues have been subject to apparent reversals of policy or have received alternative recommendations from officials in the UK and the Interim Government. The 10 percent civil service pay cut scheduled to take place in mid April appears to have been cancelled. read more... Attorney General speaks out Saturday, April 10, 2010 With cameras rolling, soon to be replaced Attorney General, Kurt de Freitas, has issued a strong statement in an attempt to rehabilitate his reputation. He claimed that he has been unfairly attacked by the media for inaction. Britain’s Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) has also been critical of the AG and his office. read more... Massive land dealings investigated by National Trust Saturday, April 10, 2010 The Turks and Caicos National Trust, through the efforts of its leader Ethlyn Gibbs Williams and Trust members and supporters, has done an extensive amount of discreet and careful investigation into the ownership of blocks of land at the Northwest area of Middle Caicos. It appears that large sections of land... read more... TCI Bank closed down by authorities Saturday, April 10, 2010 The main offices of TCI Bank in Providenciales were closed down on Friday, as well as the branch in Grand Turk, following the appointment of provisional liquidators Anthony Kikivarakis and Mark Munnings, of Deloitte & Touche, by the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands. read more... CEO moving on up Saturday, April 3, 2010 Mark Capes, the Chief Executive Officer of the Interim government, has moved into the penthouse of the Pinnacle resort. This exclusive resort condo development on Grace Bay demands rents in the $6,000 to $7,000 range. Capes was previously renting at the Somerset resort not far away and was reportedly... read more... UK financially liable, says FAC Saturday, April 3, 2010 In its latest report regarding the performance of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as it relates to the 14 British Overseas Territories, the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) headed by British Parliamentarian Michael Gapes has provided much food for thought. Of interest here is the FCO’s handling... read more... Carlos Simons announces bid for PNP leadership Saturday, April 3, 2010 Carlos Simons, attorney and barrister, has decided to enter the contest for leadership of the Progressive National Party (PNP) against his former client Galmo Williams as well as other contenders. Simons represented Williams before the Commission of Inquiry early last year when Williams was due to testify. read more... Feature: Electric car conversion Saturday, April 3, 2010 The conversion of a Provo-based Chevy Metro to electric operation has drawn my attention from an engineering standpoint. Using the figures furnished by Tibor Gula in a TCI Weekly News article, I must question the viability, the savings and eco-friendly results. The vehicle has a range of 14 miles per charge. read more... Special prosecution team ramps up Tuesday, March 30, 2010 CEO of the British Interim Government, Mark Capes, has now admitted what the country had anticipated: the $4.5 million cost of the corruption investigations is only a first payment. The latest figure is up to $6 million. Special prosecutor, attorney Helen Garlick, who is known for her prowess in the investigation of corruption... read more... Hospital, health care cost looming Tuesday, March 30, 2010 April 2010 is almost here and the Interim Government is not only facing the beginning of the pay down of the expensive 25-year health programme but is also commenting on what should have been done. The two new hospitals, of which the largest in Provo has been internally downsized from 40 to 20 beds... read more... Out-Islanders complain about NHIP registration Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Registration for the new National Health Plan is seemingly a problem on the out islands of North and Middle Caicos. The plan, which was “sold” during a number of local meetings months ago, has since revealed a number of compromises in services and scope. Costs to islanders were printed in a booklet. read more... PDM to lead constitutional reform committee Thursday, March 25, 2010 At a press conference on Wednesday morning, Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) leader Douglas Parnell said he intends to move forward with the formation of a PDM-led constitutional reform committee, which he said will be representative of the people’s needs and desires. read more... New print newspaper for the TCI? Thursday, March 25, 2010 While no formal announcement has yet been made, the weblog TCI Journal (TCIJ) may be readying to publish a print newspaper in the TCI very soon. Although more information is missing than has leaked out, the unpublicised editor in chief of the TCIJ, Gurcgaran Singh, has been spotted in Providenciales in recent days. read more... PDM leader rejects PNP call for independence Thursday, March 25, 2010 At a press conference in downtown Provo, Peoples Democratic movement leader Douglas Parnell spoke out strongly against a recent press release by the leader of the Progressive National Party Galmo Williams. The PDM leader said he would continue to seek relationships with those who are of “one accord”. read more... Only $30 million borrowed, says Airport Authority Thursday, March 25, 2010 Herbie Ingham, who heads the Airport Authority, a statutory body of government, recently authored an article printed in the TCI Sun, which stated that the Authority had borrowed $46 million to buy out the stock of Provo Airport Company (PAC). While the article indicated that $30 million would purchase the stock... read more... UK Parliament debates Turks and Caicos Islands Thursday, March 25, 2010 Tuesday, March 23, saw a speech by UK Labour MP David Clelland in the British Parliament, which provided an overall history of the Turks and Caicos Islands and illustrated the numerous constitutional changes and the recent political history, with emphasis on the suspension of the current and an earlier constitution. read more... Press conference had to move Saturday, March 20, 2010 Abandoning Town Hall meetings after the tentative receptions received at Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk, the Interim Government, represented by Governor Wetherell and CEO Mark Capes, decided to conduct a press conference in Provo on Thursday afternoon at WIVTV Channel 4 headquarters. read more... NHIP side-stepping medications Saturday, March 20, 2010 Sources have told TCI Net News that a change in prescription drug delivery is about to take place prior to the national health insurance plan (NHIP) launch. Originally, the programme was due to apply at least two co-pays when medications were needed: ten dollars for each visit and ten dollars for the medication. read more... Roundtable press conference mired in controversy Saturday, March 20, 2010 A roundtable press conference called on Thursday March 18 by the Interim Administration was hoped to tone down the problems associated with last week’s Town Hall meetings at Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk. At those meetings, residents asked pointed questions of the Governor and CEO. read more... Power company poised to shut down government Saturday, March 20, 2010 Provo Power Company, the private owned electrical utility, issued a final warning notice to the government that it was ready to pull the switch due to bills that had accumulated for the government facilities in the Caicos Islands. The bill reportedly totaled $150,000. Just hours before this was due to happen, the bill was paid. read more... More resignations likely Wednesday, March 17, 2010 On the heels of the recently announced resignation of Carlos Simons from his chairmanship of the Consultative Forum, TCI Net News has confirmed that former cabinet minister Dr Carlton Mills has already submitted his resignation from his position on the Interim government’s Advisory Council. read more... March remains under review Tuesday, March 16, 2010 WIV TV has conducted an interview among residents to determine if the Unity March, which was supported by both political parties, is being viewed by the public as successful. One gentleman disagreed with the march because he felt the former administration was participating and not acknowledging responsibility. read more... Loan and pay cuts apparently not related Tuesday, March 16, 2010 The public and media have been seeking the truth regarding the reasons for the 10 percent civil service pay cuts and the purpose of the $85 million dollar loan that has been under discussion with potential lenders. The interim government has said because the loan has not been concluded... read more... Former premier calls for independence Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Galmo Williams, the former minister of Immigration in the Michael Misick administration and later the second TCI premier, has issued another press release critical of the Interim Government. He claims the charges against the former Progressive National Party (PNP) government by the British... read more... Confusion over missing $16 million Tuesday, March 16, 2010 In an article authored by Herbie Ingham in a recent issue of the TCI Sun newspaper, Ingham announced that the Turks and Caicos Island Airport Authority (TCIAA), which he chairs was purchasing the Provo Airport Company (PAC). The ownership of PAC was split between the government and the private company Coxco. read more... Consultative Forum chairman resigns Tuesday, March 16, 2010 The Chairman of the Consultative Forum, Carlos Simons, has resigned his chairmanship. In a letter to the Governor, now made public, Simons has cited his bid for leadership of the Progressive National Party (PNP) as his reason for excusing himself from the post. The Governor’s response, also now public... read more... PPC breaks ground on new corporate headquarters and customer service centre Friday, March 12, 2010 Three weeks after signing the contract with David Hartshorn, owner of Projetech Construction, PPC has officially broken ground at their new state-of-the-art Corporate Headquarters and Customer Service Centre.  The new facility is located along the Leeward Highway, adjacent to the company’s existing plant. read more... TCHTA honours excellence in the Turks and Caicos Islands hospitality industry Friday, March 12, 2010 The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) hosted its second annual Star Award Show at the Beaches Resort & Spa on Thursday, February 25.  The Star Award Show is an annual event that recognises and celebrates the contributions of those in the hospitality industry through awards. read more... Backlash to civil service salary cuts Friday, March 12, 2010 The recent salary cut of 10 percent of all civil service salary has created a backlash among those affected. In that the announcement of the cut came on the day after the Unity March, some are blaming the march itself for the cut, claiming this is the Interim government punishing the islanders. read more... Disgruntled motorists blame interim government Friday, March 12, 2010 The ramping up of traffic enforcement and high fines are causing residents to hurry for licence renewals. However, there is problem in issuing the renewals. In one case, a Provo small business owner presented his vehicle insurance certificate and licence fee and was given a receipt. read more... Local leaders respond to civil service pay cuts Friday, March 12, 2010 Galmo Williams, the leader of the Progressive National Party (PNP), has issued a press release addressing the pay cuts for civil servants. In the release, Williams, for the third time in ten days, has repeated his position that the interim government does not have the majority support of the people. read more... March hailed a 'stunning success' Tuesday, March 9, 2010 The Unity March called for Monday March 8 satisfied organizers with a large turnout and the event has been hailed as a “stunning success”. The crowd size was confirmed to TCI Net News by a former police officer skilled in estimating the size of crowds and two media houses. read more... Civil service salaries to be cut by 10pct Tuesday, March 9, 2010 In a letter to civil service staff on Tuesday, chief executive officer of the interim government, Mark Capes, informed all public employees that public service salaries and wages for all staff, plus certain allowances, excluding housing, will be cut by 10 percent. This reduction will take effect, for wage earners, on 16 April. read more... Attorney welcomes development of a model Constitution and economic plan Sunday, March 7, 2010 Attorney at law Robert D’Arceuil recently provided a letter to local newspaper, TCI Weekly News, denying there was a British lawyer being engaged by a new organisation known as TCI Foundation for a Civil Society (TCIFCS). He went further to advise that this nonexistent, London-based barrister... read more... Next