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Hundreds of animals swabbed in the mission to find Covid-19 origin

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April 2, 2021 – The World Health Organization on Tuesday presented the people of the planet with the report on the investigation into the origin of the SARS CoV-2 or Covid-19 virus and over the 120 pages, one thing is very clear – the joint team tested thousands of animals but still have no clue where precisely the virus came from. 

The world’s sharpest minds were recruited and included senior professionals in epidemiology, data science, laboratory, food safety, animal health and veterinary epidemiology from 10 member countries including the UK, USA, Sudan, Japan, Germany, Viet Nam, the Russian Federation, Denmark and Australia plus 17 experts from China who between January 14 and February 10 visited 10 sites only to reveal there is still no clue about the start of this pandemic.

The Coronavirus has led to 128 million people being infected, 2.8 million deaths including 17 recorded in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  

Intriguing was that the virus, which is believed to have caused the earliest symptoms on December 8, 2019 in Wuhan may have been spread mainly by children.  Charts in the report indicate, children under 15 were highest for symptoms in the latter part of December 2019 in the Chinese province.

Hospital visits and over the counter medicine purchases surged during the period informed the report. 

Also interesting, that bats are not the conclusive source and that it could be some stolen Malayan pangolins or farmed minks or stray cats which caused the spillover infection, which is the transmission of the virus from animal to human. 

The kinds of animals tested for the virus were many including 188 species at the Huanan Market in Hubei.  Snakes, hedgehogs, pigs, turtles, rats, mouse, rabbits, a sheep, wild boar, weasels, chicken, dogs and crocodiles were all swabbed and tested; they were all negative for Covid-19. 

It was the same result for the test results of 26,807 animal samples retroactively collected and tested from 24 provinces between 2019-2020 in China.  

The study was labelled “fascinating” and “exciting” by its lead, Dr. Peter Embarek, who asked for patience amidst pressure from journalists at the press conference, held virtually.  The global media core was incessant in its quest for conclusive findings on the origin of the virus, but the curious were repeatedly told it may take many more months, even years before the precise starting point is determined. 

Head of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus commented that the theory suggesting coronavirus could have been cooked-up in a lab and escaped the premises is not off the table, though all sides have suggested that scenario is “unlikely”.  

The point of the investigation into the pandemic is to find out what happened, why it happened and to prevent it happening again. 

Bahamas News

Drug Seizure Turns Deadly in Haiti: Bahamian and Jamaican Citizens Caught in Crossfire During Historic Bust

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

July 18, 2025 – A historic cocaine seizure by Haitian authorities has left at least three men dead and others critically injured, following a bloody and chaotic incident at sea on Sunday, July 13.  The event, which Haitian police say resulted in the recovery of nearly 100 kilograms of illicit drugs, has turned tragic and controversial, with Bahamian and Jamaican citizens at the center of the operation.

The scene, captured in disturbing video footage released by the Haitian National Police, showed two bloodied men aboard a speedboat. Their bodies were visibly torn by what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds — blood soaked parts of the vessel.  The Jamaican man appeared near death, weak from both the injuries and the sun.  In the footage, Haitian police officers are seen dousing him with cool water in an effort to stabilize him.  His condition remains unknown.

The Bahamian survivor, still alert, was seen speaking on camera, identifying himself and acknowledging involvement.  In a separate video obtained by Magnetic Media, the same man is seen later, lying barely conscious on a stretcher, appearing gravely wounded and struggling to breathe.

The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday that it received unverified reports via its embassy in Port-au-Prince that three Bahamian males and one Jamaican male were on a boat when they were shot at by unknown individuals.  Two Bahamians were reportedly killed and one hospitalized.

Haitian police accounts offered a different version, stating they intercepted a rowboat heavily laden with drugs.  That report claims two Jamaican citizens drowned, one of whom was taken to the morgue, and that a Bahamian is in police custody.

The discrepancy between the reports has generated significant confusion, with details still emerging.  Both Haitian and Bahamian officials have not confirmed who fired the shots, or what precisely led to the violent confrontation.

Adding another layer to the investigation, regional sources suspect the drugs were being trafficked either from Jamaica to Haiti or vice versa — making the Jamaican citizens potentially key figures in the suspected inter-island smuggling route.

The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:

“We still await the formal notification from the Haitian government as to what transpired on Sunday, July 13.  We are in touch with the authorities and are pressing them to respond.”

The Ministry added that it is providing support to the affected families in The Bahamas.

Meanwhile, both The Bahamas and the United States have reissued “Do Not Travel” advisories for Haiti, as the security situation continues to decline.  Armed gangs remain in control of major areas, and the United Nations reports that over 5.2 million Haitians are facing food insecurity amid ongoing civil collapse.

While Haitian authorities call the operation a milestone in counter-narcotics enforcement, the lack of clear answers — and the evident human toll — has cast a long shadow over the bust.

This is a developing story.

 

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Bahamas News

MSC Cruises Hosts NexGen Young Men for Tour Aboard MSC Seascape

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Senator Ronald C Duncombe, founder of the NexGen Young Men Mentorship Program with mentorees on board MSC Seascape

Nassau, The Bahamas – July 15, 2025 – On Monday, June 16, MSC Cruises welcomed a group of young men from the NexGen Mentorship Program aboard  MSC Seascape while in port at Nassau Cruise Port. The visit provided the young Bahamian men with a firsthand look at the maritime industry, focusing on excellence in operations, global hospitality, and career pathways.

The initiative was made possible through the leadership of Mr. Rick Sasso, Chairman of MSC Cruises (USA), whose longstanding connection to The Bahamas and deep commitment to youth development made this experience especially meaningful. “The Bahamas holds a special place in my heart,” he shared. “Investing in young people, particularly those from a region so vital to our operations, is not only a responsibility but a privilege. We want these young men to see that a future in this industry is within reach.”

Senator Ronald C Duncombe, founder of the NexGen Young Men Mentorship Program, expressed gratitude for the experience, noting its impact on the participants. “This was more than a ship tour; it was a vision-setting moment,” said Senator Duncombe. “These young men left MSC Seascape inspired, motivated, and with a broader sense of what’s possible. Our mission is to build disciplined, purpose-driven leaders and this opportunity aligns perfectly with that goal.”

Hosted by Captain Francesco di Palma, the group was given a guided tour of MSC Seascape, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the vessel’s operations and world-class amenities. The visit served as a powerful reminder of the global opportunities available through hard work, discipline, and vision, and underscored the importance of investing in young minds for a better future.

With such initiatives, MSC Cruises continues to reaffirm its role as a committed partner in the country’s maritime and tourism sector.

Captain Francesco di Palma tours NextGen onboard MSC Seascape

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Bahamas News

Health Survey Revealed that One in Five Bahamian Students Between the Ages of 13 and 18 Has Attempted Suicide

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By Llonella Gilbert
Bahamas Information Services

 

 

NASSAU, Bahamas, July 14, 2025 – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Phillip Davis said the 2025 Global School Health Survey revealed that one in five Bahamian students between the ages of 13 and 18 has attempted suicide.

“One in five. That number is staggering and heartbreaking,” the Prime Minister said during the signing of the Framework Agreement between Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China for the New Providence Specialty Hospital held at the Office of The Prime Minister on Friday, July 11, 2025.

He said, “There is no single cause, but we know the pressures are real: the expectations, the silence, the bullying, the economic strain at home, and the ever-growing influence of social media.”

The Prime Minister explained that the images, the comparisons, the pressure to be perfect is too much. “Our children are carrying burdens many of us cannot see, and in some cases, cannot even begin to understand.”

He said, “This is not just a health issue. This is a moral issue. This is a national issue. It is a call to action for the government, for parents, for teachers, for churches, for communities.”

The Prime Minister said the Government took a major step forward in 2022 with the passage of the new Mental Health Act, the first meaningful reform to the nation’s mental health legislation in nearly 60 years. “We did not just pass a law; we laid the foundation for a new era in how we support those who are struggling.”

He added, “We have begun training more professionals — doctors, nurses, and community health workers — and we are training our guidance counsellors and educational officers to recognize the signs, to intervene early, and provide support that works.

“But legislation alone is not enough. Training alone is not enough.

“We also have to change how we show up in the lives of our children.”

The Prime Minister explained that a tablet cannot take the place of a conversation. An iPad cannot substitute for quality time, and the pressure children face from the constant pull of social media — the comparisons, the online cruelty, the need to be liked, followed, validated — is harming them. “And we have to do more to shield them.”

He said, “As a country, we cannot afford to lose our children to silence. We cannot allow pain to hide in plain sight. Every life matters. Every voice deserves to be heard. Every young person deserves to know they are not alone.”

The Prime Minister said that in addition to building up the physical infrastructure, he wants the nation to commit to building an emotional and social infrastructure, strengthening the systems of care and compassion that will help every Bahamian, especially the youth, to live with dignity, purpose, and hope.

He added, “To our partners in the People’s Republic of China, I thank you for standing with us in our pursuit of a healthier Bahamas.  To the Bahamian people, I want you to know that we see the need, we feel the urgency, and we are acting.

“The work continues. And we will see it through together.”

(BIS Photo/Mark Ford)

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