Daily Archives: July 14, 2024

A woman was immersed in the awe of a reef teeming with life when she slammed into something during her snorkeling venture.

When I turned to my right to see what I had bumped into, I was face to face with a shark,North Carolinaresident Tiffany Johnson told Fox News Digital about the 2017 attack in the Bahamas.

The bump I felt was when it had literally grabbed onto my arm, so my arm was in his mouth.

She overcame the sinking feeling of giving up, fought back and finally freed herself, butthe sharkcompletely severed her arm and left her with a mangled stump.

She overcame the sinking feeling of giving up, fought back and finally freed herself, butthe sharkcompletely severed her arm and left her with a mangled stump.

And thats when it was on for him, she said. The shark began to fight and thrash. Im screaming through my snorkel, but you really cant utter words. Youve got the snorkel tube in your mouth.

No one on the boat knew she was wrestling with death.

She kept fighting, and One of the times, I yanked his jaws open, and my arm kind of just flies out, and I look down, and its gone.

All that was left was her shoulder and about three-to-five inches of her upper arm.

The entire attack happened like a snap of the finger.

Johnson and her husband were snorkeling during a cruise excursion ironically off Paradise Island when her husband became sick to his stomach.

Within 10 minutes of leaving the water, he threw up on the boat, medical staff tended to him, and the shark snapped Johnsons arm off.

After freeing herself, she was on the surface. She tossed her snorkel and screamed. Her husband heard her desperate pleas for help and rushed to her aid.

There were gaps in her memory from the attack, so she relied on her husbands recollection to fill in the blanks.

He said he turned and saw me. I had started to swim back, and I had put my injured arm up out of the water, Johnson said.

It was literally spewing blood everywhere. And that was the sight he saw, and I remember locking eyes with him.

The terror on his face was something Ive never seen before, and he just screamed out, Baby, and jumped in the water as Im trying to get to that boat.

At that point, no one had eyes on the shark.

Johnson remembered being laser focused on the boat and said she felt like it was right behind me.

I was praying the whole time, God get me to that boat, Johnson said. My husband met me in the water. I had made it most of the way on my own, and he took me the last 10 feet or so.

Cruise employees threw a rope to get onto the boat. They were at the ladder, and the shark launched me from behind, Johnson said.

The captain kind of grabbed my left arm, and I hit the boat. The minute I hit that boat, I felt Gods peace around me like a cloud.

Every time I talk about it, I get emotional because its like, I cant even put it into words fully. All I can say is, it felt like a thick, tangible cloud of peace.

They used towels as a makeshift tourniquet. She lay down during the longest seven minutes of their lives.

The ship beelined for Paradise Island to get Johnson to a hospital. They reached the island and yelled for help.

After onlookers initial shock, they directed everyone to the main port, which was another 20 more minutes, according to Johnson.

They finally reached the emergency room, but Bahamian medical care is not as advanced as Americas, and there were passport issues getting back to the U.S. that required the U.S. Embassys involvement, Johnson said.

However, she did. She is alive and thriving. She is an author and helping other shark attack survivors.

Johnson and her husband are celebrating anniversaries, going on trips and enjoying their lives.

I believe wholeheartedly God miraculously saved me, she said. Every time I tell that to anybody (what happened in the hospital in the Bahamas) with any kind of medical knowledge, theyre speechless.

Theyre like, Tiffany, I dont know how youre alive. Youre a living, walking miracle. Science cant explain you. You know you dont make sense.'

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American on Bahamas vacation loses limb during grisly shark attack: Arm just flies out - New York Post

Portland's big man helped pave the way, holding down the paint for the Bahamas' run through Olympic qualifiers, however they came one game shy of qualifying.

PORTLAND, Ore. Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton nearly led the Bahamas to its first ever Olympic games, falling one game short of qualifying after losing to Spain 86-78 in the final on Sunday.

In the final game, Ayton dropped a 17-point, 14-rebound performances. For the qualifying tournament, Ayton averaged 19.5 points, and 11.8 rebounds, leading the Bahamas in rebounds per game, and less than half a point shy of leading the team in points per game.

Here's a look at Ayton's performances through the four-game qualifier:

Ayton, the former No. 1 pick from the 2018 NBA Draft, is one of three active NBA players on the Bahamas roster, including Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield and Philadelphia 76ers guard Eric Gordon. The rest of the Bahamas roster is filled of mostly former and current college basketball players, including VJ Edgecombe, an incoming freshman at Baylor who's projected as one of the top picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.

After being traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Blazers in 2023, Ayton began to break out during the homestretch of the season, averaging 22 points and 12 rebounds per game after the All-Star break.

With the Bahamas being eliminated from the Olympics the only Trail Blazer to be playing in the Olympics is center Duop Reath, who will suit up for the Australian national team.

Australia's first game will take place on Saturday, July 27 at 2 a.m. PST against Spain.

Follow along with KGW Sports for more coverage on the Olympics.

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Deandre Ayton has strong performance in Olympic qualifiers final, but it isn't enough to take down Spain - KGW.com

The friends and family of Taylor Casey, a Black transgender woman from Chicago who has been missing in the Bahamas since June 19, are calling for greater public attention to her disappearance.

Casey, 42, was last seen at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island late last month, per NBC News. The island is located off the coast of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. In a statement to NBC News, Caseys mother Colette Seymore said that her family was deeply concerned for Taylors safety and well-being.

I believe Taylor is in danger because she was eager to share her yoga retreat experience with others upon her return, she told the outlet. Taylor would never disappear like this.

It wasnt until a press release earlier this week that Caseys mother publicly shared that her daughter is trans, according to NBC News. Seymore told NBC News that she had now previously made that information public because the focus was going to be taken off of finding my child, my child being missing and that they were going to put the focus on oh, Taylors transgender, which should not be the focus at all.

Last week, law enforcement in the Bahamas announced that they had located Caseys cell phone, journal, and other personal effects in nearby waters, according to a press release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force. However, they were unable to access the phone, and also stated that her passport remains missing.

Seymore also told WMAQ, Chicagos local NBC affiliate, that she felt as though Caseys case wasnt receiving the attention it deserved. I just feel like they are hiding something, covering up something, and they separated, isolated my child, Seymore told the local outlet, adding that Casey was the only African American in the instructors class.

Seymore herself visited the yoga retreat herself last week and called her visit deeply unsettling, as she told KABC. She told the outlet that she felt like the students she talked to at the retreat were told what to say and what not to say. Caseys family additionally told KABC that the police allegedly refused to turn over her phone, and refused to tell them how many statements they collected from people at the yoga retreat.

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A Black Trans Woman Went Missing From a Bahamas Yoga Retreat. Her Family Wants Answers - Them

Planning to escape the brutal cold in exchange for a tropical paradise this winter? Might want to think twice about the Bahamas.

The US embassy released a security warning and travel advisory that the island nation is currently unsafe for tourists as the capital city of Nassau has reported 18 murders since the beginning of 2024.

The US Embassy in Nassau advises US citizens to be aware that 18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024, the embassy wrote in the release.

Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets. Retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders.

Following the security alert, the US State Department on Friday put the Bahamas on its Exercise Increased Caution list raising it to a Level 3 as it warned Americans to keep a low profile, be aware of the surroundings, and to not resist if confronted by robbers.

Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas, the warning read. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies donot have a presence.

The State Department also told travellers that they should not even try to physically resist when being robbed and use caution when traveling at night.

Many recreational watercraft rentals, tours and trips are inconsistently regulated, the State Department also warned.

Watercraftmay be poorlymaintained,andsome operators may nothave safety certifications, the release said. Always review and heed local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities.

The department also reminded Americans not to swim alone in the Bahamas, where there have been recent shark attacks.

In December, a female tourist from Boston was killed by a shark while paddleboarding less than a mile off the western end of New Providence island, where the capital, Nassau, is located, the Associated Press reported.

At least 33 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks have been reported in the Bahamas since 1580, with the island ranking ninth worldwide, according to the International Shark Attack File.

Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis responded to the recent security alert in a national address last week, stating there will be an increase in police action and roadblocks, according to the Nassau Guardian.

This may make you late for your appointments, or delay plans you have, but this is a small price to pay for the collective benefit of having our streets made safer, and our lives less blighted by murder and other violent crimes, he said.

Last week, the State Department raised its advisory level for travel to Jamaica to Level 3 based on violent crime including home invasions, armed robberies, homicides, and sexual assaults - which occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.

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US warns tourists against travel to Bahamas after 18 murders reported this year - Yahoo News Australia

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Nassau, The Bahamas The Commonwealth of The Bahamas celebrated 51 years as an independent nation on July 10, 2024.

A Calendar of Events planned and managed by the National Independence Secretariat focused on the theme: One People United In Love & Service, an excerpt from the National Pledge.

An Ecumenical Service and Cultural Show was held July 9, 2024 at historic Clifford Park, where the Flag Raising segment stirred emotions from spectators many of whom were at that same spot when the birth of the nation happened in 1973.

The 51st Independence Anniversary celebrations kicked off with a number of leadup events: beginning with National Flag Day on June 28, during which Bahamians throughout the country donned the national colours of aquamarine, gold and black and held brief ceremonies marked by singing of the National Anthem, reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, and solemn Flag Raising.

The traditional Independence Beat Retreat was held in Rawson Square, downtown Nassau, June 30, where a joint uniformed branch band wowed dignitaries and scores of spectators with their skillful drills and upbeat music. This year, young people were added to the mix and drew thunderous applause as they sang the songs of local artists.

On July 1, a National Time Capsule Packing Day was coordinated, which involved all Family Islands, and New Providence. Residents gathered historic items unique to their specific communities and placed them in time capsules. All capsules will be unsealed in 2049 during the countrys Diamond Jubilee independence celebrations.

The week leading up to Independence was filled with activities aimed at bringing people together right where they live their communities. It called for Bahamians to focus on heritage, culture, love and commonalities as opposed to differences.

The main event on Tuesday, July 9, at Clifford Park drew many who donned fashionable clothing in the national colours, waved pompoms, blew whistles, and held flashing lights as they experienced from 7:30 pm to 12:00 midnight aspects of the spiritual and cultural Bahamas.

The Ecumenical Service sermon was delivered by Bahamas Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander who called into focus the theme of unity, love and service. The gospel singing by Bishop Denczil Rolle & Friends added to the worship mood throughout the park and the vicinity of Fort Charlotte.

Following on, the cultural segment showcased folklore dance, performances by artists who evoked crowd excitement, Junkanoo, skits in which young actors dreamed of their future, and interviews with Bahamians who have beaten the odds.

Minutes before midnight, Her Excellency Dame Cynthia Pratt, Governor General, inspected the Honour Guard; members of the clergy gathered around the National Flag as it was being hoisted and offered prayers for various segments of the community; and as the Flag reached the top the National Anthem was played followed by a burst of fireworks bringing in July 10, 2024 the 51st Independence Anniversary of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

In those early hours, starting at 1:00 a.m. the celebration continued with The Peoples Rush Junkanoo extravaganza.

On the afternoon of Independence Day, a Family Fun Day was held at Clifford Park, where all manner of activities, games, foods, drinks and entertainment were available for families to enjoy.

That evening, a State Reception at Government House, Mt. Fitzwilliam, was hosted by Governor General Dame Cynthia Pratt in celebration of Bahamas Independence.

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Bahamas Celebrates 51st Independence United In Love & Service - The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has formally asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send diplomatic notes requesting Scotland Yards help investigating voice notes that purport to capture a quid-pro-quo arrangement involving a senior police officer and a gang leader.

Scotland Yard is the United Kingdoms Metropolitan Police force that is responsible for policing Greater London.

The request for its help comes after Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis earlier this week said that international assistance would ensure an actual independent review and he was leaving it up to the police to define the parameters of that assistance.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander during a press conference said the Security and Intelligence Branch (SIB) of the local police force would lead the investigation.

SIB is responsible for matters relating to the internal security of The Bahamas, it provides protection for ministers and foreign dignitaries and also vets people for various purposes and is tasked with preventing terrorism.

Commissioner Fernander added that the Inspectorate Board the Police Complaints Inspectorate will supervise SIBs investigation.

This comes as the police force was plunged into controversy after voice notes last week captured conversations involving a senior police officer, a lawyer and two murdered gang leaders: Michael Fox, Jr, and Dino Smith.

The Tribune newspaper this week reported that Michael Fox Sr, the father of Fox, Jr, and Sandra Smith, the mother of Smith, said their sons told them to release the recordings if something happened to them.

Smith said she never got the voice notes, while Fox, Sr, said he had them, but was not behind their release.

The leaked voice notes feature conversations seemingly about an arrangement that would allow the police to drop their investigation into Fox and his associates.

Police had issued wanted posters for Fox and Dino Smith concerning the theft of US$1,475,000 from an unattended security vehicle transporting cash for the Bank of the Bahamas to a private airport on November 2. However, the men were never charged with the incident.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said he found the voice notes terribly disturbing.

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Bahamas: Scotland Yard called to help in probe involving senior cop - Loop News Caribbean

Although blue holes can be found around the worldin fact, one of the largest blue holes ever discovered is in the South China Seathe Bahamas has the highest concentration of these geological wonders. While more than 200 of these blue holes can be found encircling the countrys largest island, Andros, the most perplexing of these holes is found southwest of Andros around Long Island.

Called Deans Blue Hole (named after a Bahamian fisherman), this impressive marine formation, located in a protected bay west of Clarence Town, is the third-deepest blue hole in the world, measuring at a staggering 663 feet deepmost blue holes are only half that deep. Because of its immense stature, free divers have broken world records in its waters and many local legends say its actually a portal to hell.

Although scientists have estimated its depth, no human has ever visited the bottom. OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Shnlein wants to change that. Although Shnlein founded OceanGate with Stockton Rush in 2009, he left the company in 2013a full decade before the OceanGate submersible implosion that claimed the lives of five people (including Rush) while exploring the wreckage of the Titanic. Now Shnlein helms another company, Blue Marble Exploration, which aims to explore some of the most unreachable parts of the world.

Of course, there are a few things that differentiate this mission from last years doomed implosion. For one, this blue hole isnt nearly as deep as the Titanic, which rests in the bathypelagic zone some 12,500 feet below the waters surface. However, exploring Deans Blue Hole comes with some additional challenges, as the team will likely encounter human remains during its exploration, as many divers have died in recent years exploring the site or attempting world records. In 2013, for example, American freediver Nicholas Mevoli died while attempting to set a world record at the Blue Hole.

According to the companys website, the team plans to conduct the first comprehensive scientific survey of the area using remotely operated vehicle technology, and Shnlein confirmed with The Independent that the expedition would only feature trained professionals and scientists, not tourists. Its not known when exactly this expedition will get underway.

While exploring the portal to hell is quite the adventure, it pales in comparison to some of Shnleins other lofty plans for exploration, including a 1,000-person expedition to start a colony in the atmosphere of Venus, which has also been described as a virtual hell.

Im sensing a theme here.

Darren lives in Portland, has a cat, and writes/edits about sci-fi and how our world works. You can find his previous stuff at Gizmodo and Paste if you look hard enough.

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Scientists Are Planning on Plunging Into the World's 'Portal to Hell' - Popular Mechanics

A same-sex couple has filed a lawsuit against the Turks and Caicos Islands government after it refused to legally recognize their marriage.

Richard Sankar, a realtor who has lived in the British territory for 27 years and is a Turks and Caicos citizen, married Tim Haymon in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 2020.

Haymon, who is American, in August 2021 applied for a spousal exemption under the Turks and Caicos immigration law on the basis of his status as a spouse that would have allowed him to legally live and work in the territory. The Turks and Caicos Director of Immigration denied the application because its definition of marriage used does not include same-sex couples. Haymon and Sankar filed their lawsuit in October 2021.

Stanbrook Prudhoe, a law firm in the Turks and Caicos, represents Haymon and Sankar.

The trial court, which is also known as the Supreme Court, heard the case in November 2022.

The court on March 1 said the work permit exemption refusal violates the Turks and Caicos constitution that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. It has yet to release the ruling itself.

I am suing for the right to recognize our marriage, Haymon told the Washington Blade on March 2 during a Zoom interview from Sydney where he and Sankar were on vacation. Just like any other spouse coming to the Turks and Caicos Islands and marrying a Turks and Caicos islander, were just wanting the same rights.

The Turks and Caicos are a group of islands that are located roughly 650 miles southeast of Miami.

Consensual same-sex sexual relations have been decriminalized in the British territory since 2001. The constitutionstates every unmarried man and woman of marriageable age (as determined by or under any law) has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex and found a family.

Then-Cayman Islands Grand Court Chief Justice Anthony Smellie in 2019ruledsame-sex couples can legally marry in the Cayman Islands. The Caymanian Court of Appeal later overturned the decision, and the British territorys Civil Partnership Law took effect in 2020.

Then-Bermuda Supreme Court Justice Charles-Etta Simmons in 2017 issued a ruling that paved the way for gays and lesbians to legally marry in the British territory. The Domestic Partnership Act a law then-Gov. John Rankin signed that allows same-sex couples to enter into domestic partnerships as opposed to get married took effect in 2018.

Bermudas top court later found the Domestic Partnership Act unconstitutional. The Privy Council, a British territories appellate court in London, upheld the law. It also ruled same-sex couples do not have the constitutional right to marry in the Cayman Islands.

Haymon and Sankar told the Blade they expect the Privy Council will eventually hear their case.

We are prepared for that, said Sankar. Our attorneys are prepared for that.

Haymon added he hopes their lawsuit will inspire other same-sex couples in the Turks and Caicos to fight for legal recognition of their relationships.

We hope that one of the locals will now take up the flag and say I want to marry my partner, he said.

Same-sex couples can legally marry in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saba, St. Martin, St. Barts, St. Eustatius, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Bonaire.

The Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaao, Sint Maarten and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba in 2022 ruled Aruba and Curaao, which are constituent countries within the Netherlands, must allow same-sex couples to legally marry.

Aruban lawmakers are currently considering a marriage equality bill. The Dutch Supreme Court in the coming months is expected to rule on the Aruba and Curaao case.

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Black transgender woman from Chicago disappears in the Bahamas - Washington Blade

We began our day with a leisurely stroll to Dockside Market, conveniently located just outside Abaco Beach Resort. This charming market offers everything you might need, from a well-stocked liquor store to an impressive selection of meats, cheeses, fresh fruits, and pantry staples.

However, boating adventures come with their mishaps and challenges. While refueling, we discovered an oil leak in the generator. This experience underscored the importance of being prepared for mechanical issues. Fortunately, it was just a short delay. Once resolved, we set off for Great Guana Cay. Upon arrival, we docked at the city docks and took a refreshing dip in the ocean before enjoying lunch on the top deck of Nippers.

Later, we continued our journey south to Scotland Cay, where we marveled at the stunning sandbar cove just off this exclusive island. It was the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the natural beauty of the Bahamas.

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Rejoicing in Bahamas Bliss: Daily Stories from Our Tropical Travels - Southern Boating

Deandre Ayton and The Bahamas fell just short of achieving the first Olympic basketball berth in the countrys history Sunday, losing 86-78 to Spain in the 2024 FIBA Qualifying Finals in Valencia, Spain.

The Portland Trail Blazers center finished with 17 points on 8-14 shooting, 14 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes of action. The performance rounded out a solid showing for Ayton throughout the FIBA Qualifying Tournament in Valencia. In four games, he averaged 19.5 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 64.2% from the field.

Sharpshooter Buddy Hield, recently acquired by the Golden State Warriors, led The Bahamas in the final with 19 points while new Philadelphia 76ers signee Eric Gordon added 15 points.

On Spains side, former Blazer Rudy Fernandez, 39, registered nine points, two rebounds and two assists. Guard Lorenzo Brown scored a team-high 18 points, including 4-5 shooting on 3-pointers.

The Bahamas entered the final as underdogs. While the country hung in against Spain, it never recovered from a 25-17 second quarter by Spain that ended up being the difference in the game. A big free-throw advantage for Spain didnt help The Bahamas either. Spain shot 23-25 from the charity stripe, compared with 10-13 for The Bahamas. Spain also won the turnover battle 15-11.

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The Bahamas, Ayton Lose to Spain in 2024 FIBA Qualifying Finals - Blazer's Edge