A groundbreaking study from the University of The Bahamas has uncovered the profound psychological toll of corporal punishment on Bahamian youth, linking childhood physical discipline to heightened anxiety, depression, and impaired self-control. The research, led by Professor William Fielding in collaboration with Dartmouth College and the US Veterans Hospital System, was published in the International Journal of Bahamian Studies and is poised to reignite debates in a nation where such practices remain culturally entrenched and often justified on religious grounds.
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By-election for Golden Isles set for November 24
The Golden Isles constituency is set to witness a pivotal by-election on November 24, 2025, as confirmed by Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe. This announcement comes in the wake of Prime Minister Philip Davis’s recent declaration at the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) headquarters, where the party ratified 14 candidates for the upcoming general election. Notably, among these candidates are businessman Sebas Bastian and Senator Darron Pickstock, the latter of whom has been officially endorsed as the PLP’s representative for the Golden Isles seat. The Free National Movement (FNM) has also named Brian Brown as their candidate for the constituency. This by-election marks the second such event under the Davis administration, which assumed office in 2021. The first by-election occurred in West Grand Bahama and Bimini in 2023, following the untimely demise of MP Obie Wilchcombe. The upcoming vote is expected to be a significant political event, reflecting the ongoing dynamics within Bahamian politics.
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WATCH: ‘I’m not going to be bullied,’ says McKenzie amid claims that funds are being withheld from councillors
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development, has vehemently refuted claims that funds intended for councillors to execute projects in their divisions are being withheld. Speaking at an indigent house handover ceremony in Gayle, St Mary, on October 16, McKenzie dismissed the allegations as ‘a lie from the pit of hell’ and asserted that he would not succumb to pressure from individuals seeking to stir controversy.
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162-lb marlin on ‘Crystal’ takes canoe tournament
PORTLAND, Jamaica — The 41st Port Antonio Canoe Tournament concluded triumphantly at the Ole Marina in Port Antonio on Tuesday, with Anthony East and Devontae Brown emerging as champions. The duo, aboard the canoe ‘Crystal,’ reeled in a marlin weighing an impressive 162 pounds, securing their victory. As part of their prize, they were awarded a Yamaha boat engine, generously sponsored by Yamaja.
Marvin Brown, fishing on ‘King Fish,’ claimed second place with a 108-pound marlin, while ‘Rabbit of the Sea’ took third place with a 103-pound catch. Both winners expressed their exhilaration over the challenging yet rewarding experience.
“It was an exciting and wonderful catch. We faced some challenges when we hooked the marlin, but it was all worth it,” said Devontae Brown. Anthony East echoed his sentiments, describing the marlin’s fight as intense but manageable.
Despite initial concerns about adverse weather conditions, the tournament proceeded smoothly. East noted, “We thought the event might be canceled due to the weather, but we were fortunate to get a bite on our way up from Annotto Bay. We knew we were in for a good day.”
Max Rochester, director of the Sir Henry Morgan Anglin Association, which co-organized the event with the Portland Chamber of Commerce, expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s outcome. “At the start of the day, I was worried as only one marlin had been caught. But by the end, we had four marlins, making it a successful event,” he remarked.
Andrew Alexander of Yamaja, the sponsor of the Yamaha engine, praised the participants, stating, “We are proud of the fishermen and grateful for their continued support. They are our main customers, and we are delighted to sponsor this prize again.”
The tournament saw 68 boats registered, showcasing the enduring popularity of this annual event.
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Trincity Mall sale officially off, bidders to get deposit back
The highly anticipated sale of Trincity Mall has been officially terminated following a series of legal and criminal complications. The government is set to approve a proposal from the consortium of buyers to refund their deposit and associated costs, marking the end of a contentious transaction. The deal, valued at $505 million, was halted in October due to a High Court injunction and an ongoing criminal investigation into the sale of CL Financial (CLF) assets. The consortium, led by prominent businessmen John Aboud and Anthony Rahael, expressed their intent to withdraw from the agreement, citing concerns over the legality and validity of the sale. In a letter dated October 15, attorney Melissa Inglefield, representing the buyers, outlined the reasons for the withdrawal, including reputational risks and operational disruptions. The government, as CLF’s principal creditor, intervened through the Attorney General, seeking to halt the sale amid allegations of irregularities. The injunction was granted just hours before the deal was set to be finalized, raising questions about the transparency of the liquidation process. The liquidators, Grant Thornton, had approved the sale in April, but the transaction faced mounting scrutiny from stakeholders, including CLF shareholders and creditors. The fallout from the failed sale underscores the complexities of liquidating high-value assets and the challenges of maintaining trust in such transactions.
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UPDATE: Pregnant mom found dead
The search for Lauren Saunders, a seven-months-pregnant mother of two, ended in tragedy on October 22, 2025, when her body was reportedly discovered with gunshot wounds near Munnings Drive, off Gladstone Road. Saunders had vanished after leaving work early on Sunday to meet someone and never returned home. Her abandoned jeep was later found off Coral Harbour Road with a flat tire, her purse, and shoes inside. Family members, fearing the worst, believe she had gone to meet the man thought to be the father of her unborn child, who is believed to be married. Saunders’ sister, Charmaine Edgecombe, described her as a ‘sweetheart’ who was in high spirits before her disappearance. The family grew alarmed when Saunders failed to attend a function at Atlantis and could not be reached by phone. After checking every hospital ward, they filed a police report. Another sister retraced Saunders’ usual route to work and discovered the abandoned jeep. Police expanded their search along tracks off Gladstone Road, combing thick bushes near Coral Harbour Road. Relatives expressed frustration over the slow response and lack of updates from authorities. Saunders’ seven and nine-year-old children are heartbroken, and their grandfather is struggling to cope. Edgecombe admitted she is also finding it difficult to focus and move on. The disappearance comes four years after the death of Saunders’ mother, and she had not yet held a baby shower or chosen a name for her unborn son. Police have not confirmed reports that the father of Saunders’ unborn child has been questioned.
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Apple, Google face tougher UK regulation of mobile platforms
The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on Wednesday that Apple and Google will face enhanced regulatory oversight for their mobile platforms. This decision, following a nine-month investigation, designates the two tech giants as holding ‘strategic market status’ (SMS), enabling the CMA to enforce stricter rules aimed at fostering competition and innovation. The move mirrors the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which imposes significant financial penalties for non-compliance. The CMA highlighted that Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android dominate the UK mobile market, with nearly all devices pre-installed with one of these operating systems. Their app stores and browsers also hold leading positions, potentially stifling competition. Under the SMS designation, the CMA can mandate changes to how these platforms operate, offering consumers greater choice. Both companies criticized the decision, with Google labeling it ‘disappointing, disproportionate, and unwarranted,’ while Apple warned it could lead to weaker privacy, delayed updates, and a fragmented user experience. The CMA’s announcement follows Google’s recent SMS designation for its dominance in online search, with ongoing consultations on specific rules. Google has also cautioned that unfavorable regulations could hinder new product launches in the UK, despite its recent £5 billion ($6.7 billion) investment in the country’s AI sector. Both companies employ thousands in the UK, with Google employing over 7,000 and Apple nearly 8,000.
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Chas E Ramson Ltd partners with Project STAR to support community transformation
KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a significant move to bolster social cohesion and opportunity in underserved Jamaican communities, Chas E Ramson Limited has announced a two-year, $4 million partnership with Project STAR (Social Transformation and Renewal). This national initiative aims to empower local residents to lead their own transformation, fostering safety and development in marginalized areas.
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UN chief calls for ‘fight’ against climate disinformation
In a powerful address at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in Geneva, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgent need to combat climate disinformation and defend scientific integrity. His remarks come ahead of the pivotal COP30 summit in Brazil and follow controversial statements by former US President Donald Trump, who dismissed climate change as a ‘hoax’ and criticized renewable energy technologies. Guterres underscored the critical role of ‘clear-eyed’ climate science in understanding the existential threat posed by global warming, urging nations to reject misinformation, online harassment, and greenwashing. He highlighted the surge in renewable energy investments, noting that nearly all new power capacity in 2024 came from renewables, which he described as the ‘cheapest, fastest, and smartest’ solution to climate change. Guterres also stressed the importance of early warning systems for extreme weather events, particularly for vulnerable nations, as the planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges. With COP30 set to take place in Belem, Brazil, from November 10-21, Guterres called for bold national climate action plans aligned with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
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Recruitment drive gives hope for young people
A national recruitment drive launched over the weekend has drawn tens of thousands of hopeful applicants vying for approximately 20,000 public sector jobs. The initiative, which began on October 19, saw over 30,000 online applications within the first 24 hours, signaling a strong demand for sustainable employment opportunities. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar hailed the response as a testament to the nation’s readiness to work, grow, and build a better future. She emphasized that the drive aims to empower families, strengthen communities, and drive progress across the country. Among the applicants was Curtly Nedd, 31, who, despite having submitted applications online, visited the recruitment fair at the National Cycling Centre in Couva to meet recruiters in person. Nedd, who has only experienced short-term contract work, expressed hope for a more permanent position that could advance his career. Similarly, Krista-Leigh Dass, a recent law school graduate, viewed the drive as a chance to secure her first full-time job after months of unsuccessful applications. While some applicants expressed concerns about the prevalence of contract positions, many acknowledged the initiative as a valuable opportunity for young people to gain experience and build their resumes. The Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce president, Kiran Singh, praised the drive for addressing unemployment and filling long-standing vacancies in the public sector. A second phase of the drive, expected to include private sector vacancies, is anticipated, though details remain undisclosed. Business leaders have called for clarity on incentives and operational frameworks to ensure the initiative’s success. The latest unemployment statistics, standing at 3.8% as of June 2025, may shift following the termination of two government employment programs, which left an estimated 10,000 workers jobless. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo stated that these programs were discontinued to prevent state funds from reaching criminals and would be replaced by full-time employment opportunities.