News
TCI: Some Good News For TCI Residents in Update from Minister of Health & Deputy Premier Erwin Saunders
While the number of new Covid-19 infections and the death rate continues to hike, the TCI Deputy Premier, who also serves as the Minister of Health, announced the new changes to the Covid-19 rules that will allow restaurants, bar owners, and taxi drivers to increase their carrying capacity.
In his fortnightly Covid-19 measures review after a meeting with the cabinet, Hon. Saunders on Wednesday March 31 revealed that the Islands’ health facilities are still strained, but there is an improvement from the previous 150 per cent to the present 101 per cent patients.
He also said that the government has already resolved the hospitals’ oxygen deficit to ensure enough oxygen deposits for the patients in hospitals. Hon. Saunders, however, urged the TCI residents to comply with the Covid-19 rules to help bring the virus down and open the economy as soon as possible.
“We have to open the economy pretty fast as soon as we can. But, to do that, we must get the number of the virus very down to at least 3 per cent,” Hon. Saunders emphasized while giving lawbreakers the last chance to comply or face the full force of the law.
The Deputy Premier also announced the arrival of 14,000 doses of vaccines to ramp up the fight against the novel Coronavirus.
“Today, just a few hours ago, we had 14,000 doses of vaccine arrived in the country. This is our third batch. We’ve been doing pretty well, but we are still behind where we’d want to be,” said Saunders. According to the Minister of Health, the government strives to attain at least 80 per cent of the population vaccinated by July.
After briefing the country on the issues and updates from the cabinet, he announced new measures to take effect from Friday in addition to the already extended raft of measures. According to the Hon. Saunders the 11 pm to 5 am curfew, and 10 pm business closure remains in place. However, Pleasure crafts are limited to 50 per cent and keep a logbook of the passengers and encourage them to check their temperatures.
Social gathering resumed but limited to 30 persons. Religious meetings are limited to 30 per cent indoors and up to 50 people outdoors, applicable to weddings, funerals, and regular services.
However, Bars and Restaurants with 100 per cent vaccinated staff will have up to 60 per cent of their normal guests’ capacity. Additionally, vaccinated taxi drivers can carry up to 50 per cent of their normal capacity from the initial three persons allowed for unvaccinated drivers.
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
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
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
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
