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Roger Clarke’s Body Arrives Home

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KINGSTON, Sept. 10 (JIS);
The brightly shining sun belied the somber mood, which hung over the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston today (September 10) as the body of the much beloved late Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, arrived in the island.

There was hardly a dry eye among the throng of Cabinet Ministers, Government officials, and family members in attendance, as the casket, draped in the Jamaican flag, was carried by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) past the honour guard created by the mourners, from the airplane to the hearse on the tarmac.
Mr. Clarke died on August 28, 2014 while returning to the island from the United States, where he had gone for back surgery.

The Government Ministers, led by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, raised their voices in unison as they belted out renditions of various hymns including “Great is thy faithfulness”, “How great thou art”, “I will go without a murmur”, “God will take care of you”, “Precious Lord lead me home”, while they awaited the arrival of Mr. Clarke’s body in the departure lounge.

The singing resumed as the casket was placed in the hearse. Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites offered prayers, after which the Lord’s prayer was recited.

Former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, who was in attendance, said it was a “very sad occasion.”
Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Clarke’s driver of 10 years, Easton Stewart expressed sadness that “my boss gone leave me”.

“He was a good man to me and he always stood by my side. I loved him. I took him all over Jamaica,” he said, adding that he will just have to be strong with God.

Mr. Clarke has been accorded an official funeral, which will be held on Saturday, September 13, at the St. George’s Anglican Church, Savanna-la-Mar, in Westmoreland. Interment will follow at a family plot in Glen Islay in Williamsfield.

Mr. Clarke’s body has been transported to Manchester, where it will be housed at Lyn’s funeral home until tomorrow (September 11) when it will be available for public viewing across the island until Friday (September 12).

On September 11, the body can be viewed at the People’s National Party (PNP) Headquarters, 89 Old Hope Road, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.,; on Friday, September 12, at the Sharon Baptist Church in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon; and the Mannings High School in Savanna-la-Mar, in Westmoreland, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the same day.

A wake will also be held on September 12, at Independence Park, in Savanna-la-Mar.

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Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

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The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.

The individuals and charges are as follows:

An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving

The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.

The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.

The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.

The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.

The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.

A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:

  • Murder

The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.

A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

  • Murder
  • Attempted Murder

These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.

 

RBPF, PACD

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Saunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI

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by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”

Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”

Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.

The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.

Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.

Saunders believes AI can help.

He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.

He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.

His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”

For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.

That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us

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Bahamas News

Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday

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Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.

Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.

According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.

The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.

Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.

However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.

The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band

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