Bahamas News
Commonwealth of Nations Secretary General says Grand Bahama and Abaco can be rebuilt better
#Freeport, GB, October 11, 2019 – Bahamas – Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, QC says having the opportunity to see first-hand the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in both Abaco and Grand Bahama will assist her in accurately describing to the international community the enormity of the devastation in The Bahamas.
After visiting the island of Abaco, October 6, 2019, which was decimated by Hurricane Dorian, the Secretary General and her delegation flew to Grand Bahama on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, where they were able to see the devastation of Hurricane Dorian on the nation’s Second City.
During a drive into East End, where major damage was visible, the Secretary General noted significant destruction to the homes and to the overall landscape of the island.
“What is so heart-wrenching is that when you look through the devastated homes, you get a sense that they were once people’s beautiful homes,” the Secretary General said during a stop in High Rock. “It’s sad to see people’s possessions piled up high outside in the front of their homes.
“We have to work out how to respond better to these types of hurricanes and climatic incidences. We have to know how to prepare globally and not just as individual countries. None of us knows who will be next. We just know that there will be a next time; and it’s no longer if, it’s simply a matter of when.
“It has been tragically Bahamas’ turn this time. In 2015 it was Dominica, in 2017, it was Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica and The Bahamas – we were all affected.”
Secretary General Scotland noted that all over the world, climate change is beginning to take its toll. She pointed to heightened sea levels, drought in places like Namibia and other parts of Africa, flooding in India, cyclones in the Pacific and hurricanes in the Caribbean.
Ms. Scotland said these natural disasters were once identified by seasons, but they are no longer subjected to any specific times.
“We do not know when they start, and we are terrified about when they will end,” she added.
“This catastrophe is not something that’s a one-time event, this is the future of the world we live in. These kinds of storms are happening more and more frequently in our world and the damages are getting greater because these hurricanes are getting bigger and bigger. Some people say that Dorian should not have been called a Category 5 storm, but a Category 10 because of the size, the damage and the enormity of the damage it has caused.”
Ms. Scotland noted that the devastation on Abaco and Grand Bahama caused by Hurricane Dorian has to be seen to be believed.
She said that together the Commonwealth nations can come up with certain methods that will make the situations better. She said there have been discussions on how to rebuild Grand Bahama and Abaco, but not in the same old way.
“We have to look at how to rebuild for resilience, how do we use all of the knowledge that we have now about regenerative development so that we can make it less likely that if a Category 5 storm hits again, we will see this level of devastation?
“It’s going to take all of us, because none of us on our own can do this. But I believe together we can. In the Commonwealth we have 53 countries, that’s 2.4 billion people and sixty percent of those people are under the age of 30.
“If they are to have a tomorrow, it has to be so much better than today. I want the Bahamians to know that they are not alone. The whole Commonwealth is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with The Bahamas right now because we want The Bahamas to have a better tomorrow. A better tomorrow for The Bahamas, is a better tomorrow for all of us.
“People look at devastation like this and say this is terrible, it’s game over, but we’re saying no way, this is game on and we’ve got a good team.”
By Andrew Coakley
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
Header: During a tour of East Grand Bahama, the Secretary General for the Commonwealth of Nations, the Rt. Hon., Patricia Scotland (centre) and her delegation stopped at the temporary hospital set up by International Medical Corps in High Rock. Accompanying the Secretary General were President of the Senate, Katherine Forbes-Smith (third from left), Captain Stephen Russell of the National Emergency Management Agency — NEMA (second from left); East End Administrator Bowe (4th from right); Captain Godfrey G. Rolle, Consultant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (third from right) and Deborah Jamieson, Director of Head Office and Aide to the Secretary General (second from right)
Insert: Secretary General for the Commonwealth of Nations, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, QC (right); President of the Senate, Senator Katherine Forbes-Smith and East End Administrator Bowleg listen as doctors from the International Medical Corps talk about some of the work they have been doing in High Rock following devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian that ripped through Grand Bahama, during a tour in East End on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. International Medical Corps was one of the Non-Government Organizations that came into Grand Bahama to assist residents following the storm.
(BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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