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TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT, THE GRAND TURK CRUISE CENTER AND CARNIVAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCE NEW GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO CRUISE PORT FACILITIES

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JOINT PRESS RELEASE

 FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 7th August, 2024 – The Turks & Caicos Islands Government, the Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC) and Carnival Corporation have reached agreement on new guidelines for public access to the GTCC facilities which reflect the shared desire for residents to continue to enjoy the facilities as well as provide a safe and secure environment for guests, GTCC employees and the Grand Turk community who are visiting.  By promoting a family-friendly atmosphere, these guidelines will also maintain the popularity of Grand Turk with cruise guests, support local businesses and foster a welcoming and business-friendly environment for food, beverage, shore excursion, and retail partners. This policy will be effective on Thursday, August 15.

“We greatly appreciate the collaborative spirit of partnership from government and cruise center leaders to provide an added layer of security at the Grand Turk Cruise Center facilities, while also allowing residents all opportunities to enjoy the beach, shopping and restaurants,” said Juan Fernandez, vice president of Carnival Corporation’s destination operations.

Effective on Thursday, August 15, visitors from the community will be asked to follow new guidelines and procedures to access the Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC):

  • During operating hours (when a ship is in port), access to GTCC by the public is only granted to individuals who obtain a one-day identification (ID) badge.
  • Access will be by the main entrance and will be free of charge.
  • An ID badge will be issued to each individual at the GTCC’s main entrance guard gate.
    • Individuals 18 years and older must present a valid form of government ID.
    • Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult with a valid form of government ID.
    • The ID badge will be issued by officers of the GTCC at the main entrance. Individuals who have violated the code of conduct of the GTCC will be denied entry.
    • Any individual on the GTCC premises without an ID badge will be asked to leave immediately and will be referred to law enforcement.

Each individual seeking entrance must acknowledge and adhere to the Code of Conduct while at the GTCC:

  • Visitors to the GTCC shall not engage in ANY business activities within the port. No sales or solicitation of any kind are permitted. Only tour operators approved by the GTCC, and with official tours sold by the cruise lines, can conduct business on port premises.
  • No illegal activity will take place at the port. This includes but is not limited to narcotics sales or use, theft or attempted theft, assault or threats of assault.
  • Visitors to the GTCC shall not interfere in work activities of GTCC employees or licensed tour operators in good standing with GTCC.
  • Visitors to the GTCC shall not pose a public nuisance that interferes with GTCC employees, guests, or licensed tour operators.  A public nuisance is defined but not limited to the obstruction of the public right of way of pedestrian passage, or any act that endangers the morals, comfort level of the public, or obstructs the enjoyment of rights common to all.
  • No weapons of any kind are allowed, which include but are not limited to firearm(s) or knife(s).
  • No use of abusive, offensive, threatening language or behaviors.

Any violations of the above will result in removal from the GTCC property and the revocation of the ID badge by GTCC officers. Violators will also lose the ability to obtain an ID badge for a minimum of three months or higher depending on the severity of the violation.

Commenting on the revised Standard Operating Procedures, the Honourable Charles Washington Misick, Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, stated that “the Government’s role is to ensure that those with access to the facilities at the Grand Turk Cruise Center – be they cruise passengers, tour operators, vendors, and visitors to the port – have an enjoyable experience.  The Government is committed to working with Grand Turk Cruise Center to improve service delivery so that the destination remains competitive, whilst ensuring safety, and providing sustainable economic opportunities.”

Providing a safe and secure environment for guests to visit any destination is the joint responsibility of the operator, law enforcement and the government as well as the community at large.  We expect these new procedures will ensure the welcoming atmosphere we so value in Grand Turk.

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Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

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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

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Saunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI

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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

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Bahamas News

Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday

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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

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