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Don Saunders brushed the gun out of his face, before being shot says Police Commissioner

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

Three males have been arrested for the murder of Donald Saunders, former Deputy Speaker of The Bahamas House of Assembly and former MP for Tall Pines and sitting Vice Chairman of the Free National Movement (FNM); Saunders was shot dead at a local bar around 9pm in Gambier Village in Nassau on Wednesday March 27.

Clayton Fernander, Commissioner of Police, informed that one of the arrested is helping the police with investigating the motive behind Saunders’ murder.

Current reports say it was an armed robbery gone wrong, but the general public is suspicious.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force informs that according to preliminary reports, Saunders and other individuals were seated at the business establishment in Gambier Village when the two men approached them with firearms demanding money. 

Fernander, in giving more details of the robbery, turned murder, informs that one of the two gunmen approached Saunders, pushed the gun into his face and demanded cash, as revealed by witnesses. They say Saunders brushed away the man’s hand from his face, after which he was shot in his neck.

The Commissioner expressed that evidence shows the incident was a pre-meditated armed robbery.

He says the vehicle which the suspects arrived at the scene in was parked two corners away prior to the robbery and murder, parked in front of someone’s home.  The information was likely picked up by newly installed CCTV cameras in the area; an installation confirmed by the member of parliament and former prime minister, Hubert Minnis when he spoke to the press at the scene of the crime.

Fernander says two witnesses are being located to hopefully speak out, to assist even further with the probe. 

Saunders’ loved ones are hit hard with his untimely death. In footage of the scene, bone chilling screams and wailing can be heard, crying that brings tears to anyone’s eyes. Also, a man is seen running towards the body as police hold him back.

On site were Crime Consultant Carlos Reid and Archdeacon Keith Cartwright. 

Various Bahamian officials have spoken in reaction to Saunders’ murder.

Micheal Pintard, leader of the FNM, took to twitter saying, “It’s with a heavy heart that I report the shocking murder of our colleague and friend, FNM Dep. Chair Don Saunders. We are still gathering all of the facts as we come to grips with this tragedy. On behalf of my wife Berlice and I, I extend my deepest sympathies to Don’s family.” 

Lincoln Bain, Leader of the Coalition of Independents, also reacted in a press statement..

“Donald Saunders may have been a political opponent, but he was a friend and pillar of strength and integrity who stood by my side during some of the most challenging moments of my life,” further referring to his character as a man committed to justice, putting people before politics.

Bain continued to reminisce on Saunders’ resilience and bravery during the Cabbage Beach conflict in The Bahamas.

“I recall with deep gratitude the pivotal role Donald played as my attorney during moments of adversity. When I, along with others, was arrested for tearing down the gate blocking Bahamians from accessing Cabbage Beach, Donald fearlessly represented us pro bono, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to the cause of justice,” he maintained.

Additionally, he mentioned that Saunders, his political opponent, stood with him and other associates, when they were unlawfully arrested at Baha Mar and Goodman’s Bay Beach, advocating for their rights at their initial court hearing.

Describing Saunders as a worthy opponent, the PLP also came forth with a message, sending condolences on behalf of the entire parliamentary team, to his family, alongside a message from the University of The Bahamas doing the same.

Bahamas News

Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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Bahamas News

 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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Bahamas News

CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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