News
Raynae Myers headed to Mexico, crowned the new Miss TCI Universe
#TurksandCaicos, July 29, 2024 – In a pageant which has elicited rave reviews for its comeback edition, one woman has emerged from among the eight contestants as the reigning queen of beauty, health and brilliance and will represent the Turks and Caicos at the next Miss Universe competition. That show is set for Mexico, later this year in November.
In the audience during the pageant and coronation, at the Gus Lightbourne Gym this past Saturday July 28, was reigning Miss Universe: Sheynnis Palacious.
Sheynnis has shared mesmerizing photos of the Turks and Caicos’ new queen on her socials, also congratulating Ashley Callingbull, Miss Universe Canada who – on Saturday night – historically became the first, First Nation’s woman to capture the title.
The new Miss TCI Universe is known and admired for her advocacy against gun violence and bullying is a spokesperson for sports, strong self-esteem, especially among girls and has served her country as a junior parliamentarian at home and abroad.
Raynae Myers, 23, hails from Grand Turk and also wowed audiences at the Turks and Caicos Islands Fish Fry, where she stepped out in national costume.
“Raynae’s pageant costume is inspired by and pays homage to the vibrant and colorful Turks and Caicos Coat of Arms. This symbol of heritage, granted on September 28, 1965, three years after the islands separated from Jamaica and became a Crown Colony, embodies profound cultural, political, and regional significance and is the current Coat of arms of the TCI. The costume, designed by Raynae and Mr. Clinton Paul is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. It features an array of materials, including 1500 brightly colored feathers, luxurious satin, shimmering silk, 700 dazzling rhinestones, iridescent beads, and glittering sequins, all meticulously held together with a variety of adhesives,” explained her mother, a very proud Lashena Simmons in a post on Facebook.
Experience Turks and Caicos shared photos of all of the ladies in their costumes; Raynae is pictured here in her vibrant depiction of the country’s national symbols.
In her first words penned to her people in the Turks and Caicos, there was this: “My beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, it is with great honour that I greet you as YOUR Miss Universe Turks and Caicos Islands 2024-2025.
As most of you know, it has always been my goal to be an advocate, leader, and changemaker! As I embark on this journey, that is still the goal! I am going to use this platform to amplify my voice and show the world that women in pageantry are more than just beautiful faces!
As Miss Turks and Caicos, I am dedicated to showcasing the beauty, culture, and spirit of our islands on the Universal stage.
Firstly, all thanks and praises to God! You, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high!
With a grateful heart, I want to thank the incredible Miss Universe TCI team. Your guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support have been instrumental in my journey. Thank you for working so hard to give us the best opportunities and make this a memorable experience. Your hard work did not go unnoticed, and I am eternally grateful.
To my generous sponsor, Olympia Destination Management Company. Indeed, you did make the right choice. Thank you for your trust and investment in me.
To my pageant sisters, you have been my rock and my inspiration. We’ve shared laughter, tears, and countless unforgettable moments. Thank you for always being there and keeping me in time with the dance moves! Keep your heads up Queens, and remember who you are!
To my family, my very supportive significant other, friends, and well-wishers, your love and encouragement have been my greatest
strength. You’ve been my cheerleaders, my confidants, and my foundation. I could not have achieved this without you.
And finally, to my mother, I love you and thank you for working tirelessly, believing in me, and supporting me on this journey. You can take a short break, but just so you know, we are not done yet! One more crown to go!
This journey has been a collective effort, and I am filled with gratitude for the support, love, prayers, and encouragement I have received.
MISS UNIVERSE TURKS AND CAICOS 2024, YOUR QUEEN REPORTING FOR DUTY!!”
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru
account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.
PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.
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