News
The Turks and Caicos Islands join in the celebrations of Caribbean Wellness Day
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 7th September 2023: Since 2007, CARICOM has declared the second Saturday in September to be Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD). Caribbean Wellness Day is a regional response to combatting non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Observed annually, countries throughout the Caribbean celebrate by promoting activity and healthy lifestyles. This year, The Turks and Caicos Islands will not only be recognising CWD on 9th September but all week long!
In 2020, the five-year theme for CWD was announced to be ‘Power Through Collective Action’, and the sub-theme for 2023 is ‘The Care We Need: At Work, At School, At Home’. The objectives for CWD 2023 will be to:
- Promote Policy Advocacy: advocate for policies at the institutional, national, and regional levels (via CARICOM) that would positively influence the practice of health promoting behaviours in Caribbean people.
- Foster Wellness Initiatives: encourage the adoption of programmes and activities within workplaces and schools that promote physical activity, healthy eating, mental wellness and health seeking behaviours.
- Address Health Barriers: promote strategies to reduce the barriers to adopting healthy behaviours on an individual and household level.
The Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Shaun Malcolm commenting on CWD said, “While my Ministry advocates for healthy living each day, on this year’s Caribbean Wellness Day I wish to remind us all of the importance of prioritizing our health and well-being. Let’s practice healthy habits, stay active, and make positive choices for a happier and healthier life.”
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Raven Saunders, speaking on NCDs says, “As we celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day, I ask that we commit to the practices and policies that we know support the health and wellbeing of our Turks and Caicos Islanders. The prevalence of NCDs has been rising all over the Caribbean, and childhood obesity even more alarming. It is critical that we come together and reimagine a healthier and more active Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Director of the Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit, Mrs. Aldora Robinson described some of the activities planned for the day, “There are walks organised for each island and we encourage individuals young and old to join the community walks on their respective islands on the 9th September. Together we can make Turks and Caicos a healthier nation”.
To help promote wellness, the Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit (HPAU) will be celebrating Caribbean Wellness Day, all week long! Starting on Saturday, 2nd September the HPAU will be hosting a health and wellness symposium, and will end the week on Saturday, 9th September on CWD with an inter-island walk, and a cook-off in Grand Turk. Please see the schedule below, we encourage everyone to come out to celebrate health and wellness as a community.
Saturday, 9th September
- Inter-Island Wellness Walk – Join your community in celebrating CWD by lacing up your sneakers and hitting the roads! Location and time TBA.
- Men in the Galley Cook-Off – The much-anticipated event to bring awareness surrounding men’s health. Governor’s Beach, Grand Turk @ 2:00 pm.
Monday, 11th September – Mental Health Monday – Take deep, conscious breaths to help reduce stress.
Tuesday, 12th September – Take a Fruit Work/School Day Tuesday – We invite you to post a picture of your fruit and tag us @ TCI Health Promotions & Advocacy.
Wednesday, 13th September – Drink Water Wednesday – We want you to show off how much water you drink in a day by posting a picture of you drinking water or your water bottle and tag us @ TCI Health Promotions & Advocacy.
Thursday, 14th September – Sneaker Day Thursday – Exercise for at least 20 minutes, take a picture with your sneakers and tag us @ TCI Health Promotions & Advocacy.
Thursday, 14th September – Health Symposium ‘My Health, My Priority’ – Beaches Resort conference room, 12 pm – 5 pm. All are welcome! Spots are limited, so please register beforehand using the link: https://forms.gle/QuHs6ufSEot6jzfB7
Friday, 15th September – Know Your Numbers Fridays – We encourage people to go to their respective health centres or pharmacies to get their blood sugar and blood pressure tested.
Happy Caribbean Wellness Day!
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
