News
Deputy Premier Announces a Second Stimulus, costs $6.5 Million
By Deandrea Hamilton
#TurksandCaicos, January 28, 2022 – The nearly $7 Million dollars for a second Citizen’s Relief or general stimulus will come through the new budget supplementary, and the monies to make it happen is pulled, said Finance Minister E Jay Saunders, from the Contingency Fund, the property acquisition, the works programme and development finance.
These areas have been reduced to support the $500 cash to TCI citizens over 18 and eligible British Overseas Territory Citizens.
When we communicated the announcement from the House of Assembly on Thursday January 27, there were mixed reactions. Some are grateful to hear of the extra cash, others say the government needs offer more than $500, still more want the government to address long term issues like low wages and the high cost of living and others quipped that it was good for the government to give them money so they would be able to pay the coming increase in National Insurance.
Deputy Premier Saunders said the money will be in hand by March 11th.
One resident raised an interesting question about how the PNP Government actually views the economy. To the citizen who has years of executive experience in the TCI private sector and who pays astute attention to political happenings in the country, there appears to be dramatically conflicting messages from the PNP Administration.
On the one hand she reminds, Government is singing the praises of a booming economy thanks to real estate sales and tourism arrivals. In that same tone, the Government has approved the National Insurance Board for an increase in contributions because not only does the scheme need it in order to avoid collapse, but because they believe the contributors at this time can afford it. Then, she says, in a shocking twist, the government, through its minister of finance, rolls out a new stimulus package, which points not to a people who are living their best life but a people who are struggling to live just a meager existence.
She says the $500 stimulus to come from the Government points only to a country where the financial pain of people is so overwhelming that government has to step in with welfare assistance.
Her statement, turned then to a question: “I thought the country was booming?”
Nonetheless, many are grateful for the announcement. Delivery service by the Treasury Department will be available for the disabled or those confined to their homes, once again said the Finance Minister.
All other approved applicants, who must also be resident in Turks and Caicos, will apply through the portal and collect their cheques, it seems, in the same way the first $1,000 Citizen’s relief was rolled out in the first quarter of 2021.
This is the second budget supplementary of near one-year-old Washington Misick led PNP Administration; the rearrangement of monies was agreed said the DP to address “the urgent, critical, unforeseen priorities that have developed since the approval of the 1st supplementary estimates.”
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
