标签： Bahamas

Tensions escalated outside Margaritaville Resort on West Bay Street yesterday morning as dozens of taxi drivers staged a protest against what they claim is an illegal $20 parking fee. The demonstration, which required police intervention, has reignited calls for government action to address the issue. Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) President Tyrone Butler accused Margaritaville employees of colluding with a taxi driver to collect the fee, despite assurances from the resort’s management that they were not involved. Butler revealed that union representatives had met with Margaritaville officials and the Road Traffic Department last Thursday, where the hotel pledged to halt the practice. However, by Sunday morning, another driver was reportedly asked to pay the fee and was denied work after refusing. Margaritaville’s general manager, Shyam Lalu, denied any wrongdoing by the resort or its staff, labeling the individual responsible as a “rogue” actor operating independently. Butler criticized the Ministry of Transport and the Road Traffic Department for their inaction, warning of larger protests if no measures are taken. He also highlighted broader grievances against taxi drivers at key locations, including Lynden Pindling International Airport, Atlantis, and Nassau Cruise Port, calling for corporate partners to act responsibly.

Authorities are currently interrogating a man linked to the tragic death of a woman whose body was discovered in a densely vegetated area near Munnings Road on Wednesday morning. Sources close to the investigation revealed to The Tribune that the victim is Lauren Saunders, a 28-year-old mother of two who was seven months pregnant. Saunders had been reported missing since Sunday. While the police have yet to formally confirm the identity of the deceased, they are actively questioning a suspect in connection with the case. The partially decomposed body was found by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department shortly after 8 a.m., following a tip-off. Authorities have stated that the victim’s identity will be officially confirmed once her next of kin have been notified. Additionally, an autopsy will be performed to ascertain the exact cause of death. The case has sparked widespread concern in the community, with many calling for swift justice.

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.

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.

The streets of New Providence have become a battleground for drivers as potholes, exacerbated by recent rainfall, wreak havoc on vehicles and finances. From Carmichael Road to Eastern Road, Balfour Avenue to Robinson Road, the island’s roads are riddled with deep craters and sunken asphalt, transforming daily commutes into treacherous obstacle courses. This has led to a surge in demand for tyre shops and mechanics, who are now inundated with customers facing costly repairs. At The Tire Outlet on Faith Avenue, workers report selling up to 30 tyres daily, with numbers spiking after heavy rains obscure potholes beneath water pools. Similarly, Rubberband Tires notes that nearly every customer arrives with pothole-related tyre damage. Mobile repair services are also overwhelmed, with Baton Roker of Keeping You Moving Mobile Tire Repair handling at least 15 calls daily. He humorously remarked that potholes are his ‘best employees,’ as they generate endless work without cost. Mechanics like Kipln Moss highlight that the damage extends beyond tyres, with broken shocks, lower arms, and tie rods becoming commonplace. Residents have taken to social media to share images of damaged vehicles and flooded streets, tagging officials and demanding action. Some have even created online maps to help motorists avoid the worst potholes. At the Ministry of Works, Superintendent Eric Rudon acknowledged the severity of the issue, stating that repair crews are working tirelessly alongside private contractors to address the problem. However, he admitted that the sheer number of potholes makes it impossible to count them all. In 2022, the ministry announced a two-year paving programme set to begin in January 2024, aiming to resurface 55 miles of road. Senior civil engineer Francis Clarke assured that once the paving network is stabilised, pothole complaints will significantly decrease. Yet, with thousands of potholes plaguing the capital and similar issues reported in Abaco and other islands, the promise of relief feels distant for many motorists.

The Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI) has revealed that the number of vacant homes across the country surged to over 25,000 in 2022, marking a six percent increase since 2010. According to the latest Census data, the nation has a total of 144,198 dwelling units, with 82.6 percent (119,138) occupied and 17.4 percent (25,060) vacant. This rise in vacant properties coincides with escalating rental costs, stagnant wages, and a growing deficit of affordable housing, which Housing Minister Keith Bell estimates at more than 12,000 units. Despite these challenges, the Census highlighted positive trends, including a 19 percent increase in homeownership and improved access to utilities over the past 12 years. Fully owned homes without mortgages saw a significant jump from 37,109 in 2010 to 52,691 in 2022, while mortgaged homes declined from 23,434 to 19,299. Rental occupancy grew modestly, with 40,060 renters recorded. The report also noted a decline in overcrowding, with the average household size decreasing from 3.4 to 3.3 persons. Ten islands reported homeownership rates exceeding 70 percent, with Ragged Island leading at 92.9 percent. New Providence’s share of private dwellings dropped from 68.3 percent in 2010 to 66.9 percent in 2022, while the Family Islands saw an increase from 12 to 13 percent, reflecting a gradual population shift. The Census also highlighted significant improvements in internet access, with 92.3 percent of individuals aged three and older connected, up from 64.7 percent in 2010. Access to sanitation and basic utilities has also improved, with nearly all households now connected to essential infrastructure.

In a shocking act of vandalism, thieves targeted the Centre for the Deaf in the early hours of yesterday morning, causing extensive damage and stealing critical educational resources. The intruders smashed windows, breached the school’s fencing, and made off with the institution’s bus, which was later found crashed and abandoned at Ross Corner. The incident occurred around 12:25 AM, with security personnel discovering the aftermath during their routine checks. Education Director Dominique McCartney-Russell described the scene as grim, noting the theft of children’s learning devices and the severe damage to the school’s infrastructure. Police have confirmed the recovery of the bus, which collided with a wall, and have launched a manhunt for the suspects. While the exact cost of the damages remains unclear, Mrs. McCartney-Russell assured that all stolen items, including tablets, would be replaced. Repairs to the mangled fencing were already underway by the afternoon. Despite the disruption, school operations continued uninterrupted, with students relocated to another building and supported by the school’s guidance counselor. The Centre for the Deaf, established by the Red Cross in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, serves approximately 22 students and employs 11 staff members. In response to the incident, security teams have recommended enhanced mobile patrols and additional officer support to prevent future breaches.