News
Body Recovered, Believed To Be Vessel’s Chef From Sunk Luxury Yacht

A body that was recovered near the wreck of the luxury yacht Bayesian, which sank off the coast of Sicily during a violent storm, is believed to be that of Chef Recaldo Thomas. The Canadian-Antiguan national was one of 22 people aboard the yacht when it capsized early Monday morning.
The tragic incident occurred approximately 700 meters from Porticello, just east of Palermo, and left six passengers still missing, including prominent figures such as British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer.
Thomas, known for his deep voice and radiant smile, was cherished by many. Gareth Williams, a longtime friend who grew up with Thomas in Antigua, described him as well-loved and kind. Williams recounted that Thomas had recently spoken of his desire to continue working for two more seasons to refurbish his late parents’ house, despite being tired from years of yachting. “He told me just the other day that he needed to work two more seasons to fix up his late parents’ house. He loved yachting, but he was tired,” Williams said.
Another friend, Eli Fuller, highlighted Thomas’s role as a mentor to young people, noting how his success in the yachting industry served as an inspiration to many in their community.
The sinking of the Bayesian is believed to have been caused by a waterspout, a type of tornado over water, which struck the vessel and caused it to capsize. The yacht, flying a British flag and measuring 56 meters (183 feet) in length, now lies on the seabed at a depth of 50 meters. Divers have faced significant challenges in reaching the cabins of the sunken vessel, as the hull is tilted at a 90-degree angle, and debris clutters the narrow stairs leading into the cabins.
Despite the difficulties, the Italian coastguard, with the aid of specialist divers and remotely operated underwater vehicles, continues to search for the remaining missing passengers. A member of the diving team, Marco Tilotta, had assured that they would do their best to find the missing people. He said, “We are not stopping. We have resources, manpower and means. Our goal is to find all the people who are missing, so that is our job.”
The search operation includes five patrol boats, at least two helicopters, and a team of divers who can only spend about 12 minutes underwater, limiting their search time to just 10 minutes per dive.
Among the missing are Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, as well as Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy. Other missing passengers include American jewelry designer Neda Morvillo and her husband Chris, whose absence has been confirmed by his law firm, Clifford Chance. The Bayesian was reportedly hosting a celebration for lawyers who had represented Lynch in his recent legal proceedings, where Bloomer had been a defense witness.
The incident has cast a shadow over the yachting community and left survivors and loved ones grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy. Dr. Fabio Genco, a member of the local emergency medical service that treated the survivors, recalled that the word “darkness” was repeatedly mentioned by those who lived through the shipwreck. Survivors spoke of the terrifying minutes from the moment the boat was lifted by waves until it sank.
As the search continues, the international yachting and legal communities are mourning the loss of lives and holding onto hope for those still missing.
International News
Transfer: Real Madrid , Cucurella Reach Verbal Agreement
Chelsea reliable defender, Marc Cucurella may join Spanish giant, Real Madrid before the end of the current transfer window.if information from transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano are anything to go by.
Romano In a latest transfer update, said Real Madrid has reached verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.
“Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho” the update read.
News
Hakimi, Vinicius Barred From Speaking Spanish At World Cup
FIFA has come under scrutiny after several high-profile players, including Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior, were discouraged from speaking Spanish during media engagements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The issue first surfaced ahead of Morocco’s Group C clash with Brazil when a Spanish-speaking journalist attempted to question Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in Spanish.
Despite Hakimi, who grew up in Madrid and speaks the language fluently, indicating he was comfortable answering in Spanish, event officials reportedly insisted that questions be asked in English.
Hakimi attempted to reassure organizers that language would not be a barrier, but officials maintained that no Spanish translator was available for the session. A compromise was eventually reached, with the reporter asking the question in Spanish while Hakimi responded in English.
The controversy intensified during Brazil’s media session when Vinicius Junior was also interrupted while responding to a question in Spanish.
The Real Madrid forward, who is more comfortable speaking Portuguese or Spanish than English, was reportedly asked by organizers to switch languages.
Rather than continue in Spanish, Vinicius opted to answer in Portuguese before turning his attention back to Brazil’s World Cup preparations.
The incidents sparked widespread debate among journalists and fans, many of whom questioned why Spanish—a language spoken by millions across North America—was effectively restricted at a tournament being hosted largely in the United States.
According to Spanish media outlet El País, FIFA only provides Spanish-language translation services at World Cup press conferences involving Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
For all other teams, questions and answers are expected to be conducted either in English or the official language of the participating country.
The policy has generated criticism online, with many supporters arguing that multilingual communication should be encouraged at a global event like the World Cup.
The backlash was particularly strong in Vinicius’ case, as the Brazilian forward appeared visibly uncomfortable being asked to communicate in English.
The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a highly anticipated encounter between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
With the issue now drawing international attention, FIFA may face increasing calls to review its media language guidelines as the tournament progresses.
News
It’s Illegal’…Falana’s Bombshell Indicts Govs, FG.
Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has warned federal and state governments against negotiating with and rewarding terrorists.
According to Falana, the practice is illegal.
He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Amnesty International Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026.
Falana claimed it is public knowledge officials of the Federal Government and some State Governments have been holding meetings and negotiating with terrorists and bandits, which has led to thousands of ‘repentant’ criminals being forgiven and given cash gifts of undisclosed sums of money.
Asserting that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Falana insisted that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”
Highlighting the legal consequences, he quoted Section 22 of the Act, stating: “A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”
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