标签： Bahamas

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.

As Hurricane Melissa approached Jamaica, Bahamian nationals on the island were making urgent preparations to weather the storm. The Bahamas Consulate in Kingston, led by Consul General Alveta Knight, worked tirelessly to account for all Bahamians across Jamaica and deliver essential supplies to students remaining at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus. Ms. Knight described the deteriorating weather conditions in Kingston as a mix of light showers and strong winds, with an overcast sky setting the scene. Despite the calm appearance, the consulate was in full emergency mode, distributing flashlights and radios to students in anticipation of power outages. Stores across the capital had closed, making it challenging to secure items like power banks. The consulate also monitored a group of Bahamians stranded in Montego Bay after airports were closed, working to find them accommodations until flights resumed. Jamaica’s Ministry of Transport provided continuous weather updates, and the government’s no-price-gouging policy ensured basic supplies remained affordable. At UWI Mona Campus, about 20 Bahamian students chose to stay, while 76 were evacuated earlier. Victoria Jean-Jacques, president of the Bahamian Students Association, emphasized the importance of communication and preparedness, noting that students were calm but anxious. Care packages containing water, snacks, and emergency supplies were delivered to students by Ms. Knight. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield, who was in Jamaica for a family wedding, urged Bahamians in the southern Bahamas to heed evacuation advice, drawing lessons from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. Ms. Knight called for prayers as the hurricane strengthened, emphasizing the need for safety and vigilance.

Communities and officials across the southern Bahamas are bracing for Hurricane Melissa, with a mix of preparedness, stress, and apprehension as the storm looms. Dr. Roelof Bruintjes, an atmospheric scientist from the National Center for Atmospheric Research, emphasized the need for vigilance, urging residents to transition from ‘monitor’ to ‘action’ mode if the hurricane shifts northward earlier than anticipated. ‘The southern Bahamas must remain on high alert and begin preliminary preparations,’ he stated. ‘Once the storm’s northern trajectory is confirmed, immediate action will be necessary.’ Dr. Bruintjes explained that hurricanes function as ‘heat engines,’ weakening over land due to disrupted rotation and loss of heat sources, particularly when interacting with mountainous terrain. ‘Jamaica will bear significant impact, but the storm will lose its intensity as it moves inland,’ he added. High-pressure systems have temporarily slowed the hurricane’s progress, but it is expected to move northward as weather fronts shift. In Mayaguana, Chief Councillor Vincent Murphy confirmed that preparations, including the readiness of shelters, would be completed by Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, on Crooked Island, resident Kirkwood McKinney Sr criticized the lack of backup power capacity, describing it as ‘gross negligence’ by the Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) management. Despite the challenges, McKinney vowed to remain on the island, citing lingering trauma from Hurricane Joaquin. In Acklins, PLP Branch Chairman Henry Rolle announced plans for evacuations in vulnerable communities, highlighting the island’s lack of proper hurricane shelters and calling for government action to address the issue.

A woman captured on video violently assaulting her young son is set to appear in court today, following widespread public outrage sparked by the disturbing footage. The video, which circulated on social media over the weekend, depicts the woman slamming, kicking, and stomping on the crying child, who is believed to be her son. In one harrowing scene, she throws him to the ground as he wails in pain. Another clip shows her dragging him by the hair, slamming his face into a door, and later stomping on his head. The woman, described as having a slim build, is also seen picking up a rock and seemingly threatening the person recording the incident, while a man’s voice is heard in the background. The video quickly went viral, garnering over 1,000 shares and thousands of comments within hours. Viewers expressed shock and disgust, labeling the footage “sickening” and “unbearable to watch.” Many called for her immediate arrest and harsher penalties for child abuse. Police confirmed the woman’s arrest and charges, stating that she is due in court today. While the investigation remains ongoing, authorities have declined to provide additional details.

In response to the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis has declared a mandatory evacuation for residents in the southeastern Bahamas. The order, effective from October 27, 2025, until November 1, 2025, or until further notice, targets the islands of Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island. The government has assured that transportation will be provided to relocate evacuees to New Providence, where shelters and family support services are prepared. Priority evacuation is being given to the most vulnerable populations, including the sick, elderly, and children, followed by other residents. This evacuation is enforced under the Disaster Risk Management (Evacuation – Southeast Bahamas) Order, 2025, as per section 56 of the Disaster Risk Management Act 2022. Authorities are urging residents to comply promptly to ensure safety and minimize potential risks associated with the hurricane.

The Bahamas government is on high alert as Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 145 mph, threatens the southern and central islands. Officials have warned of life-threatening flooding, hurricane-force winds, and coastal inundation, particularly in Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Ragged Island, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. A formal evacuation order from the Prime Minister may be issued in the coming days, contingent on the storm’s trajectory and intensity. Jeffrey Greene, Deputy Director of the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, confirmed that a hurricane alert is now active for the central and southeast Bahamas, including the Turks and Caicos Islands. Residents in these areas are advised to prepare for severe weather conditions expected to begin late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Hurricane Melissa is forecast to pass over Jamaica on Tuesday, cross southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and reach the southeast Bahamas by Wednesday. Currently located several hundred miles southwest of The Bahamas, the storm is moving west at approximately five mph but is predicted to shift north and northeast on Monday and Tuesday. While hurricane-force winds extend up to 30 miles from its center, tropical storm-force winds reach 205 miles. Officials noted that interactions with Jamaica, Cuba, and Hispaniola might slightly weaken the storm before it impacts Bahamian territory. Leon Lundy, Minister responsible for Disaster Risk Management, emphasized the government’s full mobilization, including resource positioning, community briefings, and inter-agency coordination to ensure an effective response. He urged residents to stay informed through official channels and avoid relying on rumors. Aaron Sargent, Director of the Disaster Risk Management Authority, highlighted ongoing efforts to monitor the storm, coordinate with local administrators, and identify vulnerable residents, particularly the elderly and those with medical needs, for potential evacuation. Sargent praised the proactive response of residents, noting a trend of swift action even before official evacuation orders are issued.

A devastating head-on collision on the Grand Bahama Highway over the weekend has claimed the lives of two men, including a chef who had repeatedly voiced concerns about the dangerous conditions of the road. The accident occurred between 6am and 6.30am on a poorly lit stretch of the highway, which lacks streetlights despite the early sunrise. Christopher Smith, a chef at The Garden of the Groves, and Mozen Selemfort, a boat captain at Statoil in East End, were both on their way to work when the crash happened. Smith’s sister, Roseleen Smith, who was driving the vehicle with him as a passenger, sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalized. The collision occurred when a white Honda, driven by Selemfort and traveling east, veered into the westbound lane, striking Roseleen’s grey Chrysler head-on. Both Smith and Selemfort died at the scene, marking the 53rd traffic fatality in the country this year. The Grand Bahama Highway, located just east of the Lucayan National Park, was closed for over two hours as police conducted investigations. Smith’s colleagues and family expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing him as a compassionate and dedicated individual who frequently highlighted the perilous state of the highway. Superintendent Christopher Farquharson of the Grand Bahama Traffic Division confirmed that speed was a contributing factor in the crash. The incident has reignited concerns about road safety in the area, with calls for immediate improvements to prevent further tragedies.