标签： Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – In a spectacular cultural resurgence, One Family Junkanoo Group captured the Boxing Day Parade championship, dethroning the two-time defending champions Shell Saxons Superstars in a vibrant display of Bahamian tradition. The group’s mesmerizing performance titled “001 Arabian Nights – Tales of Mystery and Magic” earned 621 points from judges, combining desert-inspired aesthetics, mystical characters, and seamless choreography that electrified Bay Street spectators.

The victory marks a triumphant return to prominence for One Family, whose performance generated some of the loudest cheers of the morning as supporters waved flags and rang traditional cowbells to fan-favorite musical arrangements. The Way Forward Valley Boys secured second position with 578 points, while the dethroned Saxons finished third with 533 points in the highly competitive A Division.

This year’s parade attracted thousands of attendees, including families, tourists, and dedicated Junkanoo enthusiasts who filled downtown Nassau’s streets to witness the return of elaborate costumes and powerful drumlines. The event also drew the attention of new U.S. Ambassador Herschel Walker, who attended his first Junkanoo parade and described it as “very, very impressive.”

Despite the celebratory atmosphere, operational challenges emerged as significant pauses between groups created frustration among sections of the crowd. The National Junkanoo Committee (NJC), overseeing the parade for the first time following the government’s dispute with the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence, acknowledged these issues in a post-event statement.

The NJC attributed the disruptions to “route obstructions, sequencing and readiness challenges, and isolated incidents requiring law enforcement intervention” rather than intentional obstruction by participating groups. Commissioner Shanta Knowles clarified security arrangements, noting that a private security firm had been hired by the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture to supplement over 600 police officers and 70-80 defense force personnel deployed for the event.

In a notable security enhancement, licensed firearm holders were prohibited from bringing handguns downtown for the first time in parade history. Attention now shifts to the upcoming New Year’s Day Parade, where One Family will attempt to achieve consecutive victories in Bahamas’ most celebrated cultural competition.

Bahamas Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles has declared herself uninformed about serious allegations made by an Andros resident concerning extended detention without charge, despite extensive media coverage and public discussion of the case connected to a sitting Member of Parliament.

Commissioner Knowles, speaking during the 2025 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade festivities, stated she had not received any briefing regarding Zakari Campbell’s claims but emphasized standard police protocols require officers to inform detainees of custody reasons. “I don’t know about that case, but everyone who comes into custody is told of the reason why they are in custody,” Knowles told reporters. “One of the greatest powers of arrest of the police is the suspicion, and when anyone comes into custody, a detention record is made.”

The controversy stems from detailed allegations published by Campbell on social media and subsequently covered by multiple Tribune reports. According to his account, the incident began with a Friday night gathering at Round Two bar where the MP was present. Campbell described how the establishment’s manager attempted to close around 2am but claimed the politician “objected and signalled the DJ to continue playing.” The group reportedly departed thirty minutes later without any property concerns being raised.

Campbell asserts he learned the following day that police were reviewing security footage after the MP reported having “lost something.” On Monday, officers arrived at Campbell’s workplace—where he had recently begun employment handling substantial cash amounts—and took him into custody. He maintains that although police referenced a search warrant for “stolen property” connected to the bar, they refused to specify what item was allegedly taken.

Following a search of his home in his mother’s presence that yielded nothing, Campbell was transported to the police station. There, he noticed another patron from the bar in a holding cell and claims officers first accused him of taking the MP’s firearm. Despite denying any knowledge of a weapon, Campbell was placed in a cell without information regarding his detention duration.

He was ultimately released at 4:50pm the next day after his mother’s intervention, having spent over 24 hours in custody without formal charges, explanation, or apology. “This is not about drama,” Campbell wrote. “This is about power, protection and the unequal application of the law.”

The Member of Parliament central to these allegations has not responded to numerous calls or requests for comment from media outlets.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – A dual industrial incident at the Freeport Container Port has prompted a comprehensive police investigation following a fatal accident and a separate serious injury on Friday morning. The events have cast a spotlight on workplace safety protocols at the major shipping hub.

The primary tragedy occurred shortly after 5 a.m., claiming the life of Anderson Adderley. According to preliminary reports from the Grand Bahama Police, Mr. Adderley suffered catastrophic injuries after falling from a significant height on a crane. Despite the rapid response from Emergency Medical Services personnel, he was pronounced deceased at the location.

Police Superintendent Nicholas Johnson, who leads the Criminal Investigation Department, confirmed that law enforcement was notified by port personnel. Officers discovered an adult male employee with grave injuries within the stack trailer area. “We are in the initial stage and we are speaking with a number of witnesses who are assisting us at this time,” Supt. Johnson stated, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.

In a concurrent but unrelated event, a second industrial accident was reported near the same facility just before 9 a.m. Another male employee, working aboard a vessel docked adjacent to the container port along the Warren J Levarity Highway, sustained severe leg injuries. Initial reports indicate a large object fell onto him. The individual was transported via ambulance to a medical facility for urgent treatment.

Authorities have clarified that while the incidents occurred in proximity both in location and timing, they are being investigated as separate occurrences. The police force has dispatched specialized teams to both sites to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and determine the precise sequence of events that led to each accident. The investigations aim to ascertain potential contributing factors, including equipment failure, procedural adherence, and overall worksite conditions.

The Freeport Container Port, a critical node in regional shipping logistics, has not yet released an official statement regarding the incidents or its operational safety review process.

Nassau, Bahamas – A violent Christmas Eve incident in the Yellow Elder community has resulted in one fatality and left another man hospitalized with gunshot wounds. The tragic shooting occurred on Wednesday evening, casting a shadow over holiday celebrations in the area.

According to law enforcement officials, police responded to reports of gunfire in the vicinity of Graham Drive and Lime Streets at approximately 7:00 PM. At the scene, officers discovered a 25-year-old male victim inside a red Nissan Cube, unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Emergency Medical Services personnel confirmed the victim displayed no vital signs of life upon examination.

A second victim, identified as a 27-year-old male, sustained a gunshot injury to his left leg during the altercation. The injured man was transported to a medical facility via private vehicle before police arrival and subsequently received treatment for his wounds.

Law enforcement authorities confirmed the recovery of an illegal firearm from the crime scene, which has been secured as evidence. The circumstances leading to the shooting remain under active investigation, with detectives pursuing multiple leads.

In a related development hours later, Operation Black Scorpion officers conducted a separate operation in the Culmersville area that resulted in the seizure of another illegal firearm. Acting on intelligence received, officers searched an abandoned building where they discovered the weapon along with a sealed package containing suspected marijuana at approximately 9:00 PM.

No arrests have been made in connection with either incident as investigations continue. Police have not released information regarding potential motives or suspects in the fatal shooting, nor have they disclosed the estimated street value of the confiscated narcotics.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has appealed to residents with any information regarding either incident to come forward anonymously.

The grieving family of Patrick Vernal Gibson, a 63-year-old retired customs officer killed in a devastating hit-and-run incident, is urgently calling for criminal charges against the driver responsible for his death. The tragedy occurred on December 9 at the intersection of East Street and Andros Avenue, where Gibson was struck by a vehicle traveling at high speed while crossing the road after visiting a convenience store.

According to police reports, the motorist dragged Gibson several feet before abandoning both the scene and the vehicle—a Honda Accord—which remained pinned on top of the victim. His sister, Rosemary Thompson, emotionally asserted that her brother might have survived had the driver not fled. ‘If he had stayed,’ she explained, ‘he could have reversed the car instead of leaving it crushing him. My brother might have been in the hospital today, not the morgue.’

Thompson discovered news of the accident online while in Florida, though she had been in The Bahamas on the night of the incident. Despite reassurances from acquaintances that the victim was not her brother, she received official confirmation of his death from police just one day later—cutting her trip short.

The family is now grappling not only with profound loss but also with unresolved questions regarding the driver’s swift release from custody. Although a suspect was detained for two days, he was released following legal intervention. Authorities indicated that the case must first go before a Coroner’s Court before any charges are filed.

Gibson, described as a sweet and loving man who was unmarried and childless, had shared a home with Thompson for nearly a decade. His other sister, Theresa Capron, traveled from Grand Bahama to New Providence following the incident, noting the profound impact of his death on their close-knit family. Both sisters highlighted Gibson’s cheerful nature and his quiet contributions to household chores and family life.

As the holiday season approaches, the family acknowledges that their celebratory plans have been shattered. Thompson solemnly stated, ‘We had plans, but I don’t see myself celebrating.’ They remain resolved in their pursuit of justice and accountability for Gibson’s untimely and tragic death.

Bahamian authorities are implementing extraordinary security measures for Friday’s Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade, including a groundbreaking prohibition on licensed firearm carriers bringing handguns into downtown areas. This marks the first time in history that the Royal Bahamas Police Force has explicitly banned legally permitted firearms from the cultural festivities.

Assistant Commissioner Earl Thompson announced the stringent protocols during a press briefing at Police Headquarters, revealing that designated zones surrounding Bay Street will be treated as “security restricted areas” to enhance operational efficiency and minimize violence risks. The comprehensive security strategy includes multi-layered screening checkpoints, specialized unit deployments, and coordinated patrols involving both uniformed and plainclothes officers working alongside private security personnel throughout the night.

Notably, even off-duty police officers will be subject to the firearm restrictions, with no provisions made for weapon storage at checkpoints. The only exemption applies to active law enforcement personnel performing official duties. Senior Assistant Commissioner Roberto Goodman confirmed joint operations between the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Royal Bahamas Defence Force to secure both the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day celebrations.

Additional preventive measures include mandatory weapon scanning for all attendees, restrictions on selling alcoholic beverages in bottles or cans, and recommendations for merchants to serve drinks exclusively in cups. Authorities have also issued parking advisories, urging spectators to utilize designated parking areas while avoiding vulnerable locations and removing valuables from vehicles.

Road closures affecting multiple downtown arteries are already in effect, including sections of Shirley Street, Navy Lyon Road, Bay Street, Parliament Street, and Prince George Wharf, with surrounding areas also subject to transportation restrictions as parade preparations intensify.

The Bahamas has achieved a significant milestone in emergency medical infrastructure with the arrival of the first six specialized aviation ambulances in New Providence. This delivery marks the initial phase of a comprehensive initiative that will ultimately see approximately 50 such vehicles deployed across the archipelago.

The groundbreaking initiative stems from a strategic Heads of Agreement between the Bahamian government and the Bahamas Aviation Climate and Severe Weather Network (BACSWN). Through BACSWN’s alliance with Response Plus Medical (RPM), the Middle East’s premier pre-hospital care and emergency medical services provider, these advanced medical transport vehicles are being introduced to address critical gaps in the nation’s emergency response capabilities.

Initial deployments will prioritize Cat Island, San Salvador, and the MICAL islands, representing a transformative step in healthcare accessibility for remote communities. Each ambulance will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and enhanced safety features specifically designed for aviation operations and challenging island terrain.

Robert Dupuch-Carron, founder of BACSWN, confirmed the timely delivery, stating: “We committed to having these assets operational before Christmas, and through the exceptional support of Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil of Burjeel Holdings and Dr. Rohil Raghavan of RPM, we have fulfilled that promise.”

This ambulance deployment coincides with BACSWN’s parallel mission to establish the Caribbean’s inaugural NextGen Meteorological Watch Office. This advanced facility will feature real-time flight tracking capabilities, coordinated emergency response systems, and comprehensive meteorological monitoring across the nation’s 173,000 square miles of airspace.

The integrated initiative directly supports The Bahamas’ compliance with international aviation safety standards under the Chicago Convention and International Civil Aviation Organization requirements, ensuring safer commercial, cargo, and private aircraft operations within sovereign airspace.