Morning Report - September 11, 2026

0:00In a morning, Turks and Cakes, I'm Zene Denny with your morning report. Today is September 11th, 2026, and in this report, I'll be bringing you the latest local news and stories from all over the world. These are the headlines. Locally, cost of living relief program has officially concluded, and Minister of Tourism responds to golf cart issue in Grand Turk. Regionally, Trinidad and Tobago set to pay millions to former inmate. Internationally, US 911 Air Quality Records unsealed. We have these and more coming up in this morning's report. This morning's report is sponsored by Century 21, Alashar Properties. Looking to buy or sell a home, condo or a parcel of vacant land in the Turks and Cakes,

1:03Century 21 Air-Share Properties is your best resource for buying and selling any real estate in the Turks and Cakes Islands. Whether it's a condo, house, villa, commercial property or vacant land, we can assist you with all your real estate needs. No matter this sign, keep Century 21 Air-Share Properties in mind and give us a call at 649-941-7368 or email your friends at Century21-TCI.com. Your experience professionals can help you with a full range of services. To engage a relentless agent of change, contact your friends at Century21-TCI.com or call 649-941-7368. The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Trade hereby advises the public that the cost of living relief program has officially concluded.

2:06The Ministry confirms that all application processing has been completed and the appeals process concluded as of 9 September. Accordingly, the program is now formally closed. With the completion of the processing and appeals phases, the remaining activity under the program will be limited to the distribution of approved grant checks. The Ministry further advises that the final batch of the COLR grant checks will be released on the 16th of September. Approved applicants are encouraged to visit the Treasury location on their respective island to collect their check. To facilitate collection, recipients should present a valid government issued ID and the applicant's reference number. Recipients are reminded that COLR checks are valid for up to 6 months from the printed date. Approved applicants who are disabled or confined to their home in the Turks and Cacos Islands may utilize the check delivery service. To request this service, approved applicants or his or her representatives are asked to submit a written request for the delivery of the check to COLR Relief Support at Gov.tc.

3:12And the request must include the following, a copy of the approved applicant's government issued ID, the applicant's reference number, phone number and address for the check to be delivered. The Ministry of Finance extends its appreciation to the people of the Turks and Cacos Islands for their cooperation and understanding throughout the implementation of the cost of living relief program. The Ministry also acknowledges and thanks the public officers, Treasury personnel and other stakeholders whose efforts contributed to the administration and delivery of the program. The conclusion of the COLR program marks a completion of the government's initiative to provide targeted financial assistance to eligible persons in response to the cost of living pressures experienced by households across the Turks and Cacos Islands. The Ministry of Finance remains committed to ensuring that the final phase of check distribution is administered efficiently and that approved recipients are provided with the necessary assistance to access their grants. Premier Honorable Charles Washington Music is extending his support and well wishes to

4:15sink its in need of his Prime Minister, Dr. Terrence Drew, who is recovering following a recent medical emergency that led to him being flown overseas for specialized care. Dr. Drew was initially admitted to the Joseph and France General Hospital in St.Kitts after experiencing symptoms including nausea and the headache. His government later said he was stable, alert and in good spirits before he was transported overseas for further specialist assessments. An statement on Thursday Honorable Music said he recently spoke with the St.Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Jeffrey Hanley, and asked that his encouragement and well wishes be shared with Dr. Drew and his family. Premier Music described Dr. Drew as a respected regional leader, valued colleague and brother within the Caribbean family. He said the Turks and Cacos Islands stands with the Prime Minister Drew, his family and the people of St.Kitts and Nevis during this period, and is praying for his renewed strength, healing and a full recovery. The Premier also expressed confidence that Dr. Drew will take the necessary time to

5:19focus on his health and recovery. Dr. Jeffrey Hanley is currently serving as Acting Prime Minister during Dr. Drew's medical absence, with the St.Kitts and Nevis government saying government operations continue as normal. The Premier says he looks forward to seeing Dr. Drew restore to good health and returning to his duties in due course. Fire and uncertainty are growing in parts of Grand Turk following two vehicle fires reported on the island this week. The latest fire happened early Thursday morning on Saunders Pond Road, where firefighters sound a Honda fit fully engulfed in flames. No injuries were reported but the owner of the vehicle has not been identified, and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The fire and rescue service is asking anyone with information that could help identify the vehicle's owner, or determine the circumstances surrounding the fire, to contact the relevant authorities. But for residents living in the area, the incident has left many wandering, what could happen next?

6:19When radio Turks and Kikas spoke with members of the community, several said they were frightened by the fire, and concerned about the possibility of more incidents. One resident described the fires as unusual for the area, saying community members typically look out for one another. On the morning of the fire, residents said they made sure to alert their neighbors and family members, as a situation unfolded. A business owner in the area also shared concerns about the incident, particularly because there is currently no clear answer, as to who may have been responsible, why the fire occurred, or whether another incident could happen. Many of the residents who spoke with RTC said they would like to see a greater police presence in the area, as a way of helping to deter further incidents, and reassure the community. RTC reached out to the Royal Turks and Kikas Islands Police Force for an update on whether a police investigation had begun. The force's interim communications officer said the incidents were attended to, by the Turks and Kikas Islands Fire and Rescue Service. Police say fires are generally investigated by the Fire and Rescue Service in the first

7:24instance, and once that investigation is completed, the department will provide an update on its findings. At the stage, the matter remains under the purview of the Fire and Rescue Service, pending the outcome of its investigation, and any determination regarding the cause of the fire. Police say if the Fire and Rescue Service's findings indicate that further investigation by the police force is required, the appropriate action will be taken. Minister of Public Safety Honourable Sean Malcolm is encouraging anyone with information that could assist in identifying the vehicle's owner, or determining the circumstances surrounding the fire, to contact the relevant authorities. As the Fire and Rescue Service continues its investigation, residents say they are hoping for answers and reassurance about their safety. As Grand Turk continues to welcome thousands of cruise visitors, the island is facing growing concerns over the number of golf carts on its roads. Residents and motorists have raised concerns about traffic congestion, golf carts being

8:24driven on the wrong side of the road, and children operating the vehicles, with plans to further expand cruise tourism to Grand Turk. Radio Turks and Kekas spoke with Minister of Tourism Honourable Javargo Jolly about how the government plans to manage a growing number of golf carts while ensuring the island remains safe and welcoming for both residents and visitors. So I'm always a believer of not forcing, not forcing, but having community engagement before you launch, or even if the government has made a decision to launch something for the best interest of the people, is always having community engagement because ultimately they're the ones that are going to have the impact. We would have just recently had a community connect meeting here in Grand Turk. I want to say just early parts of the summer, and one of the biggest discussions was the I want to say soon to come because I don't have a established timeline, but the incoming second cruise line here at Grand Turk. And that was one of the major concerns in terms of congestion. The second concern was ensuring that locals, the same concern you would have brought

9:28up earlier, which exists in the entire Texas and Kekas, and many other tourism destinations. Making sure that locals are ultimately the beneficiaries of this business product. He also spoke to the enforcement issues with the golf carts. One of the things that we've already begun doing is working with the Department of Motor Vehicles in terms of, I think, the compliance because discussions have begun in terms of quotas and ensuring that the industry is properly managed because what we've come to realize is with growth, the regulatory body, the enforcement bodies have to grow as well. So Granturk saw this overwhelming growth in that particular industry, but we didn't bring over or even hire more enforcement officers here in Grand Turk. We didn't improve on the application process in Grand Turk, and where you leave those gaps, people are going to take advantage of it. So it's not even to say that most of these persons that are vendors or even legitimate

10:29or license. So that's a big part of it. So the DMV we've been working very close with them. In fact, we have a few things that are coming very soon in terms of enforcement. But we want to start implementing these things now. We don't want to wait till this second cruise company gets here and the number is double and then all of a sudden you want to see that type of enforcement. So there's a few enforcement measures that are going to be coming very, very soon and not just in the form of legislation, but in the forms of infrastructure. So there are going to be a few things different in terms of how we interact from a commercial perspective with our cruise visitors now, especially near the cruise terminal. With these prospective enforcement measures on the way, the residents of Granturk can now hope that the changes will bring the action they have been calling for. That was your local news for this morning, now for regional news.

11:30The state of Trinidad and Tobago has been ordered to pay more than $2.5 million in compensation to a former prisoner who was subjected to years of harsh conditions and sexual abuse while serving a manslaughter sentence. According to Guardian News Media, High Court Judge Robin Mohammed ruled in favor of Nadia Puran in her landmark constitutional claim. Puran was serving a 12-year sentence after pleading guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and connection with the 2003 killing of 41-year-old teacher Ralphie Ram Chiron. Her lawsuit focused on the conditions she experienced during her more than 13 years in prison, including overcrowding, poor sanitation and ventilation, limited access to food and medical care, and prolonged periods of confinement. Puran also told the court that she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a female prison officer over a period of four years. Justice Mohammed accepted Puran's evidence of the abuse, noting that the prison officer

12:32accused of the assaults denied the allegations in an affidavit, but did not attend the hearing to be cross-examined. The judge found that the state had breached Puran's constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment. He also found that her rights and equality of treatment had been breached because she was not transferred from the convicted section of the prison while pursuing her appeal unlike some of her former co-accused. Justice Mohammed said the case highlighted what he called institutional indifference and administrative failures within the prison system. The court awarded Puran $2 million in general damages, and another $450,000 in vindicatory damages. Puran was released from prison in 2016 after her 12-year sentence was reduced on appeal. She is now living in the United Kingdom where she is seeking asylum. Trinidadian outlets report that she has since continued her education, earning a first-class honors degree in sociology, and pursuing a master's degree in politics and international

13:33relations. Justice Mohammed expressed that the case would serve as a catalyst for reform and send a clear message that the constitutional rights of prisoners must be respected. Now for International News. New York City has released more than 170,000 pages of previously undisclosed records detailing what officials knew about air quality around ground zero following the September 11th attacks. The documents were released Tuesday, just days ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks, and include internal memos, air quality reports, and environmental testing records from multiple city agencies. The records show that concerns about toxic substances including asbestos and other hazardous chemicals persisted in the months following the attacks.

14:35Some internal documents from October and November 2001 recorded elevated levels of toxins around ground zero, while officials publicly reassured New Yorkers that the air was safe. New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani announced the release, saying the records provide answers about what the city knew, about the dangers at ground zero, and when officials knew about them. The release includes what is known as the Harding Memo, which was sent to then deputy mayor, Robert Harding shortly after the attacks. The memo cited an estimate of about 35,000 potential plaintiffs who could bring legal claims against the city, and discuss options for limiting the city's legal liability. Mamdani said the documents show that multiple mayoral administrations refused to release records that New Yorkers were entitled to see. The release follows a lawsuit by the advocacy group 911 Health Watch seeking access to the records. The documents are now available through a searchable online portal, with additional records expected to be added in the coming months.

15:36The revelation comes as the city marks 25 years in the September 11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people. Thousands of first responders, survivors, and others exposed to conditions at ground zero have since developed serious illnesses, including cancers linked to the World Trade Center site. Mayor Mamdani said the city will help eligible New Yorkers, use newly released records, to support applications for federal health assistance. Now for sports news. Wimbledon is taking a firm stand on social media influencers and content creators, with reports saying the All-Engling Club has no plans to introduce an accreditation category for them at next year's tournament. According to reports, Wimbledon will also continue to confiscate items such as ring lights,

16:37and other equipment that could distract players or disrupt matches. The decision comes amid controversy at this year's US Open, where the growing presence of influencers has sparked concerns about fan behavior and tennis etiquette. According to reports, the US Open accredited around 100 content creators this year, nearly double last year's number, as organizers looked to attract new and younger audiences to the sport. But the strategy has come under scrutiny after several incidents involving excessive noise, photography, and bright lights during matches. Naomi Osaka's first round match was reportedly disrupted, with officials intervening after noise and activity from spectators in the stands. Coco Gauf and Naomi Osaka have both spoken about the importance of respecting tennis etiquette, while Jessica Pagula has also criticized behavior that interferes with players during composition. US Open officials have responded by displaying reminders around the venue about appropriate fan behavior and reports say the credentials of two content creators were revoked.

17:41According to reports, Wimbledon's approach will be more traditional, keeping the focus firmly on the players and the tennis, while maintaining the strict etiquette for which the grand slam is known. Thank you all so much for tuning into this morning's report, make sure to listen into our 130 afternoon news segment, and our nation's report at 6 p.m. Download our Radio Turks & Kekis app and visit our website at www.rtc89fm.com This morning's report was brought to you by Century 21, Areshaar properties. I'm Deny Denny wishing you a blessed weekend. Century 21 is a global firm of approximately 14,250 independently owned and operated offices

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