News
TCI: Youth Appeal: “Get vaccinated” says Deputy Premier & Health Minister
#TurksandCaicos, April 12, 2021 – Since the vaccines were rolled out early this year (2021), there have been many conspiracies put across by different groups of people concerning the use of vaccines, with some people claiming the vaccine makes young people sterile.
However, all those claims lacked scientific backing, reducing them to rumours and baseless hearsays, given that the vaccines have been tried and tested before approval for mass production, said the Deputy Premier when he addressed youth in a video message targeting younger residents.
In his Youtube presentation “Myths Amongst Our Youth,” Hon. Saunders encouraged the youth to get vaccinated as it is the only absolute best way to stay safe from Covid-19.”
“Get vaccinated if you haven’t been vaccinated. It’s the absolute best way to keep you safe from Covid. So, I’m encouraging everyone,” said EJ. Saunders in his opening remarks. However, Hon. Saunders directed his encouragement to the vast majority of youth who’ve resisted vaccination by believing various myths peddled around.
“I wanna talk to a specific group of people. The people who’re here are saying to me, often than not, that they don’t wanna get vaccinated for various reasons. It’s about the youth,” said the deputy premier.
Hon. Saunders noted that many youths refrain from getting vaccinated for fear of being rendered sterile, and they’d want to have children in the future. He also clarified the vaccines are very safe, and rumours hold no scientific facts.
“I wanna tell you that is not true. The vaccines would not make you sterile! The vaccines are actually very safe,” said EJ. Saunders. The minister of health further clarified that the virus comes from animals and mutated into a dangerous disease-causing strain to humans.
And the only way to deal with the virus is to come up with a vaccine against it. Hon. Saunders also explained that scientists worldwide have many years of experience in coming up with vaccines, and massive funding was directed to speed up the vaccine-making process.
According to the minister, viruses are normal. “About 100 years ago, there was a Spanish flue. Today we have Covid-19. If the virus is left to run the world, it will cripple the world economy for an extended period and lead to a global economic depression.”
So we’re counting on the young people. The quicker you get vaccinated, the quicker the world can come out of this. Particularly us in Turks and Caicos, we can get out economy open. We can get kids back to school. And we can get you back to work as quickly as possible. Those over 16 can take the vaccine,” appealed the Deputy Premier.
In closing his speech, Hon. Saunders called upon everyone aged 16 years and above to take the vaccines. “Right now, I’m encouraging everyone, 16 and above, to take the vaccines,” Hon. Saunders concluded.
It is unclear if 16 and 17 year olds, who are still considered minors by law, would be required to have their parents’ permission before beign inoculated.
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
