tiktok

Former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has found a second life on TikTok and it could be changing how some Bahamians view him as the country heads to a general election.

Minnis was known as a stiff public political figure with a leadership style many described as stubborn or distant. Minnis is now on social media showing himself differently. On TikTok, he is joking, participating in trends, and directly replying to people who once criticized him.

His tone is lighter and some people may be buying into it. “I think I changed my mind about Minnis,” one user wrote. Another said, “If I knew you were this down to earth, I wouldn’t have been mad at you.”

Watch here one of Minnis’ reels

Minnis’ time as prime minister from 2017 to 2021 was defined almost entirely by Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic which his shaped public life and policies. His leadership style during those times left many voters frustrated.

The early election he called in 2021, resulted in low voter turnout and a loss. His leadership of the Free National Movement was heavily criticized, and many called for his resignation.

After losing the FNM leadership race to current leader Michael Pintard and not receiving a nomination to run under the party’s banner, Minnis decided to run as an independent candidate.

Without the party banner, TikTok and Facebook, have become his main pathway to voters.

He presents him as approachable, humorous, and relatable, sharp contrasts to the politician many remember from the House of Assembly.

As Minnis enters this election season outside party lines, his campaign is about whether voters are willing to accept this new version of him.

In an unexpected turn of events, passengers aboard American Airlines flight 2421 from Puerto Rico to Miami found themselves stranded in the Bahamas after severe weather conditions forced a diversion.

Among the passengers was Dimas Henriquez, whose experience became widely known through a viral TikTok. The flight, which was not scheduled to touch down in the Bahamas, left passengers like Henriquez, who did not possess a passport, in a precarious position. Henriquez, a green card holder, had chosen Puerto Rico as a vacation spot precisely because it did not require a passport for travel.

“When I woke up, we were still in the air. My friend nudged me and said, ‘We’re landing in the Bahamas.’ I immediately say, ‘I can’t be in the Bahamas, I don’t have a passport at all.’”

@griptape_

Yes we stranded in the bahamas. We were locked in a glass box for 14 hours. We were constantly being told a plane was on the way. The American airlines staff had me handing out water and biscoff cookies because they wouldn’t do it. And that was only after hours of begging for ANYTHING. I tried my best to translate and keep everyone informed. The agent SAID she booked us on a flight to go home once we got to miami. I was then informed at The admirals lounge that was NOT TRUE either. We ended having to drive from miami to NC. The next flight wouldve been tuesday night. American didnt even offer a hotel voucher or help pay for our rental car. We got home after being awake for 44hrs! #puertorico #vacay #bahamas #stranded @American Airlines

♬ original sound – dimas

The situation unfolded as the flight, originally bound for Miami, encountered inclement weather, leading to an unplanned landing in Nassau. This diversion sparked a series of unfortunate events, culminating in passengers being confined to the airport terminal in the Bahamas for over 14 hours.

Henriquez’s plight was shared on TikTok, where he detailed the lack of basic amenities such as food, water, and access to restrooms, while the flight crew reportedly left the premises. The video quickly garnered nearly two million views, with many expressing concern and outrage over the treatment of the passengers.

American Airlines, in response to the incident, cited safety concerns due to the weather and FAA-mandated crew rest requirements as reasons for the delay. However, this did little to assuage the frustration of passengers. Henriquez, in particular, faced further travel disruptions, with his subsequent flight to Charlotte being unavailable for two additional days, prompting him to undertake a 13-hour drive home after renting a car at his own expense.

The incident has raised questions about the airline’s preparedness for such emergencies, airline policies and passenger rights during unforeseen travel disruptions.

TikTok star Destiny Hamilton seemed to have captured the hearts of Tiktokers with her stylish fashion, luxurious living and expensive travels showcased in most of her videos which amassed 1.4 million likes and 46.3 followers.

When news of her surprising death hit social media, fans spiraled into a frenzy, shocked at her alleged death by suicide.

“Destiny I just commented on this video two days ago, now I’m here again but with a goodbye? God help!” Livia wrote to Hamilton’s TikTok page, Itsnatalyasworld.

A few days before her death, Hamilton posted new content, dressed in a white dress as she sat on wooden steps on the beach, as somber music played.

@itsnatalyasworld

Home 🫶🏾

♬ original sound – Hen

One fan believes it “almost feels like this was a goodbye.”

Tiktoker Anya who was intrigued by Hamilton’s world, said she appreciated “the beautiful glimpse of your life you shared with us. You inspired me so much and gave me so much hope for the future.”

@anyajovita

RIP sweet girl, i will never forget you or the beautiful glimpses of your life you shared with us. You inspired me so much and gave me so mjch hope for the future. I’m so sorry you’re gone but i pray that you find peace while you rest. Thank you for simply existing @itsnatalyasworld 🤍

♬ original sound – Anya 🎀🤍

The 27-year-old, while visiting Guana Cay, Abaco where she once lived before moving to the United States, was found in a bathroom last week Thursday around 8:30 am with a laceration to her wrist.

The prior evening, she reportedly argued with her former husband and when he returned to see her the next morning, she was discovered lifeless in a pool of blood with a knife near her body, leading police to classify the death as a suicide.

Tiktokers have joined the family in expressing doubt that she died by suicide since she was left-handed. The laceration was found on her left wrist.

VeeBaby wrote to social media, “This is heartbreaking. This needs to be investigated. It’s not adding up.”

Her cousin Bennae Beneby-Pinder told the Tribune earlier, “Growing up, we actually used to tease her about it because when she tried to use her right hand, she barely could do it. She was left-handed, so I would think if someone was trying to kill themselves, they would use their more dominant hand.

“It doesn’t make sense to me.”

Tiktoker Sophia said she remains in shock. “I can’t get her off my mind.”

Another said, “It messed me up…I can’t wrap my head around any of it.”

“I literally cried myself to sleep last night…I’m devastated by this news,” Sherri said.

“Sigh, been following her page for a year and she was really a light.”

Liam Poitier’s sweet gesture has set TikTok ablaze, amassing over 4 million views after sacrificing his lunch to give his mother a heart balloon for Valentine’s Day.

While Valentine’s Day may be an ordinary holiday to express love to those special in our lives, Liam is making a splash online and has made viewers shed a tear.

Now the video has gone viral.

“He touched my heart…I lost it. I’m crying like a baby,” Sheree Michele said.

The student of Eva Hilton Primary School forfeited lunch after his mother Daniella Joseph gave him $5. Three dollars was intended for lunch, and he was expected to return $2 to his mother. Instead, Liam purchased a heart balloon for his mother and purchased a pencil for $1.00. He then returned $2 to his mother.

“Because you’re important to me,” Liam told his mother when she asked him why he deprived himself of lunch.

@_iamdaniellaj

#CapCut This is what its like being a parent/mom ,a boy mom at that. You hey to experience wholesome moments like this. My heart is so full . 🥺This completely caught me off guard. What’s something nice your child has ever done for or said to you? #girlwiththelist #boymomlife #boymomma #boymomsoftiktok #momslife #valentinesdaygift

♬ Made for me remix – djrunit954

Joseph responds stunned while wiping tears from her eyes, before hugging him.

“You’re raising a true gentleman, a king, a tender-hearted man,” another viewer commented.

Another said, “He’s precious.”

“You are blessed to have a kid like him,” another echoed. “What a sweetheart.”

Eva Hilton Primary School said it was touched by Liam’s gesture.

Members of the public touched by Liam, have since given him monetary gifts for his selfless act.