标签： Bahamas

The southern islands of The Bahamas were engulfed in chaos and exhaustion yesterday as hundreds of residents scrambled to escape the impending threat of Hurricane Melissa. Officials labeled this as the largest pre-event evacuation in the nation’s history. However, the process was marred by confusion and logistical failures, leaving evacuees stranded without basic necessities. On Mayaguana and Crooked Island, residents reported being locked out of airport terminals for hours, deprived of food, water, and restroom facilities. Elderly individuals were forced to relieve themselves in nearby bushes while awaiting evacuation flights. Social media platforms were flooded with videos and voice notes depicting distressed islanders pleading for updates on their evacuation status. Utica Laurel Lightbourne, a resident of Mayaguana, recounted how residents were instructed to gather at the new airport terminal built by the I-Group at 7am, only to find the building closed. ‘People were crawling into the bushes to use the bathroom,’ she said, sharing a video of dozens of vehicles parked at the airstrip with residents waiting inside. By midday, rumors of flight cancellations spread, leaving many in limbo. Lightbourne criticized the lack of communication and prioritization, claiming Mayaguana was neglected while other islands received evacuation flights. Similar frustrations were echoed on Crooked Island, where Deputy Chief Councillor Elvie Cunningham reported that 180 registered evacuees had received no clear updates. ‘The administrator is in New Providence and hasn’t been informed of any aircraft arrivals,’ she said, describing worsening weather conditions and growing anxiety among residents. Despite these challenges, DRMA executive chairman Alex Storr acknowledged the complaints but assured that evacuation efforts were underway. He described the operation as a ‘learning experience,’ with over 700 people evacuated by Tuesday morning and plans to evacuate a total of 1,453 individuals. Storr emphasized the logistical difficulties, including balancing regular flights with emergency missions and limitations at smaller airfields. He urged residents still refusing to leave to reconsider, warning of Melissa’s potential to bring devastating rainfall and storm surges. Meanwhile, evacuees from Inagua expressed relief at having escaped. Crystal Brown, a 33-year-old mother, said she ‘made the right choice’ to leave with her daughter and sister, while Tamika Major, 26, noted that nearly all of Matthew Town had evacuated. Beverly Anne Thompson, 64, expressed gratitude for the government-organized evacuation, stating, ‘I’m just glad that in case the storm became a monster, I was safe.’

The Bahamian government’s decision to fund accommodations for a group of citizens stranded in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa has ignited widespread criticism, particularly from a grieving family struggling to repatriate their loved one’s remains from Haiti. The controversy centers on the government’s assistance to approximately 50 Bahamians who attended a wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica, while others in similar situations claim they were left without support. The wedding group, which included relatives of former Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield, received accommodations at the Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa as Hurricane Melissa approached. However, other Bahamians in Jamaica reported receiving no aid, with one traveler expressing frustration online about having to cover her own expenses despite arriving on the same flight. Meanwhile, Sherry Russell of Moore’s Island revealed her family’s three-month struggle to bring home her brother Joey’s body from Haiti, where he was killed in July. The family has spent over $7,000 on related costs but claims their requests for government assistance have gone unanswered. The disparity in aid has fueled anger, with Ms. Russell questioning why the government prioritized the wedding group over her family’s urgent needs. Former Foreign Minister Darren Henfield defended the assistance, stating that Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper helped secure accommodations for those unable to afford extended stays.

The Court of Appeal in The Bahamas has issued a landmark ruling, declaring that neither the government nor Bahamian resident Dahene Nonard will be required to pay legal costs in a protracted citizenship case that has stirred controversy due to a delayed judgment issued by a retired Supreme Court justice nearly three years after leaving office. The decision, delivered by Justice Crane-Scott with the concurrence of Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder, Justice Charles, Justice Smith, and Justice Turner, emphasized that fairness and justice necessitated both parties bear their own costs. The court stated, “the justice of this particular case dictates that there be no order as to the costs of the appeal.”

The case traces back to 2013 when Ms. Nonard applied for Bahamian citizenship. After years of inaction, she sought judicial review and constitutional relief in November 2018, alleging the government’s failure to process her application. The matter was heard in February 2021, but the presiding judge reserved her ruling. It was not until August 2024, three years and five months later, that the judgment was delivered—nearly three years after the judge’s retirement. The government appealed, arguing the retired justice lacked constitutional authority to issue a ruling post-retirement. In July 2025, the Court of Appeal agreed, deeming the August 2024 judgment unconstitutional, invalid, and a nullity. The court set aside the ruling and remanded the case to the Supreme Court for rehearing.

The cost issue remained unresolved until the recent ruling. The government, represented by attorney Kayla Green-Smith, argued it was entitled to costs as the successful party. Ms. Nonard’s legal team, led by Frederick Smith, KC, countered that the delay and appeal were caused by the judicial system, urging no order on costs. Justice Crane-Scott acknowledged both parties as innocent victims of the delay, stating, “Neither the appellants nor the respondent are responsible for the delay which transpired after the learned judge reserved her decision in February 2021.”

The court highlighted that while the government technically prevailed on appeal, its victory was based on the judgment’s unconstitutionality, not the merits of its legal arguments. Justice Crane-Scott emphasized that applying the usual costs rule would be unconscionable, as Ms. Nonard had no fault in the delay. The ruling referenced section 30(1) of the Supreme Court Act and Rule 24(5) of the Court of Appeal Rules, which grant judges discretion over costs. It also cited precedents like Scherer v Counting Instruments Ltd, affirming that a successful party has no automatic right to costs, and each case must be evaluated on its unique facts.

A newborn baby boy, still with his umbilical cord attached, was discovered crying in bushes off Marshall Road yesterday morning as heavy rain began to fall. The incident has sparked a police investigation and widespread concern. According to authorities, the infant was found by a passerby, Acharro Gaitor, who alerted the police shortly after 9 a.m. Gaitor, who was in the area at the time, described the emotional moment of discovering the child. ‘I started praying,’ he told ZNS News. ‘That’s the first thing I did, and my prayer is that the child will live and represent the kingdom of God.’ Emergency medical services were immediately called to the scene, and the baby was transported to a nearby hospital. Police later confirmed that the infant was in good health despite the ordeal. Chief Superintendent Darron Nixon, the officer in charge of the Carmichael police station, issued a heartfelt plea to the baby’s mother, urging her to come forward. He emphasized that there are numerous resources available for women facing crisis situations. ‘Mothers should not have to endure this kind of trauma,’ Nixon stated. ‘It is a traumatic situation, and she needs to know that there is help available. We are not blaming her, and we hope she will come forward to us and let us know that it is her child. The child is still alive, and there is help for this situation.’ The incident has raised questions about the support systems in place for vulnerable mothers and the importance of community awareness.

In response to the impending threat of Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has issued a mandatory evacuation order for over 1,400 residents in the southeast Bahamas. The order, effective from October 27 to November 1, targets vulnerable islands including Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, and Ragged Island. Priority is given to the elderly, the sick, and children, with air and sea transportation provided to relocate evacuees to New Providence, where shelters and accommodations have been arranged. The decision follows consultations with the Disaster Risk Management Authority and the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, emphasizing the precautionary nature of the evacuation to ensure safety before conditions worsen. Forecasts predict hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges of up to six feet in the southeast Bahamas. Supplies and emergency personnel have been pre-positioned, and all government agencies are operating under the National Disaster Response Framework. Deputy Director of Meteorology Jeffrey Green reported that Hurricane Melissa, currently a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 mph, is expected to impact Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Evacuation flights began early yesterday and will continue today, with over 370 people already relocated. Authorities anticipate the number of evacuees to exceed 1,400. Prime Minister Davis expressed solidarity with Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Haiti, which are already experiencing the storm’s effects, acknowledging the fear and uncertainty such storms bring.

The Bahamas was struck by tragedy over the weekend as two young men lost their lives in separate violent incidents. Mekhi Taylor, a 20-year-old beach attendant, was fatally shot early Saturday morning in a parking lot on University Drive. According to police reports, a Japanese vehicle pulled up shortly before 2 a.m., and its occupants opened fire on a group of people standing in the area. Taylor’s family believes he was not the intended target but was tragically caught in the crossfire. His older sister, K’nelle Taylor, described him as a jovial and carefree individual who often joked about enjoying life to the fullest, even in the face of danger. Just hours before the shooting, Taylor had dined with his younger brother and friends at Carnivale Bahamas, promising to return home after dropping off a neighbor. His workplace, The Blue Zone Experience, paid tribute to him, calling him a hard-working and irreplaceable asset to their team. In a separate incident, 25-year-old Philip Lockhart, a twin and restaurant server, was killed following a brawl at Arawak Cay on Sunday morning. His best friend, Iranique, expressed profound grief, remembering him as an extraordinary and caring individual who had been a pillar of support in her life. Police have detained a 29-year-old man in connection with Lockhart’s death. These latest homicides have brought the country’s murder count to 70 for the year, according to records from The Tribune.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Court of Appeal has overturned a previous Supreme Court ruling that had influenced Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg’s decision to cut funding to one faction of the Valley Boys. Minister Bowleg, who had previously cited the Supreme Court’s March ruling favoring the “Way Forward” faction led by Trevor Davis, has now declined to comment on the appellate decision, stating he would “let the Court deal with it.” The Court of Appeal criticized the Registrar General’s Office for its handling of the registration of Mr. Davis’ group, calling the actions “beyond belief” and granting the rival “World Famous” Valley Boys faction, led by Brian Adderley, leave to appeal, citing “excellent prospects of success.” The World Famous Valley Boys expressed optimism about receiving overdue seed funding, totaling $70,000 for the past two years, while the Way Forward faction described the appellate court’s comments as “unfortunate” but vowed to continue their legal battle. The dispute, which began in 2023, stems from internal divisions over leadership and compliance with the Non-Profit Organisations Act, with both factions pledging to uphold the legacy of the Valley Boys in upcoming parades.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into a suspected suicide following the discovery of a man’s lifeless body at a residence in Garden Hills early Tuesday morning. The incident unfolded at a home on Chenille Street, near Soldier Road, where distraught family members and friends gathered in an emotionally charged scene. According to Inspector Gerard Culmer, law enforcement was alerted by a family member who found the victim in a state consistent with hanging around 6:30 a.m. Emergency medical personnel reportedly made efforts to resuscitate the man but were unable to save him. The coroner subsequently pronounced the man dead. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation as the community grapples with the tragic loss.