01292026 NEWS

THURSDAY

“We got you covered under the

Volume: 123 No. 46, Thursday, January 29, 2026

‘GB POWER DEAL A POLITICAL STUNT’

Critics in GB claim residents are being used as “puppets” in a deal with no final agreement

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Government was yesterday accused of treating Grand Bahama residents as “puppets” by generating more questions than answers over its announced ambitions to acquire the island’s electricity monopoly.

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

Darren Cooper, proprietor of D’s Car Rental and a wellknown radio talk show, told Tribune Business that the Prime Minister’s disclosure of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Emera, the Canadian energy giant that presently owns 100 percent of Grand Bahama Power Company, was

THE Bahamas Taxi Cab Union has flatly rejected any partnership with ride-sharing giant Uber, with union president Tyrone Butler saying the proposal was “not something that was welcome” by taxi drivers.

Mr Butler said the union was approached last year by a representative of Uber as part of broader discussions on modernising the taxi industry, but the idea was decisively turned

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FRED Mitchell has told Progressive Liberal Party politicians that they should not feel compelled to answer questions from the press. In a voicenote yesterday, he said there is “nothing that compels you to answer a phone from a reporter and nothing that compels you to give a statement to the press,” noting that when statements are made and “there are what seems to be unforced errors, as a result, our opponents are reading the tea leaves

‘Weak enforcement’ fuels stray dog crisis

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

IN most wealthy countries, stray dogs are rare. In The Bahamas, they are everywhere. They roam school zones, sleep beneath cars, dart across busy roads, and scavenge around shops and construction sites.

Residents encounter them in packs day and night, sometimes sick or injured and limping along the roadside. Visitors post photos and videos of malnourished dogs outside resorts and cruise ports, while homeowners complain of noise, bites, and torn garbage. Their pervasiveness raises the question: Is the country willing to do what it takes to fix a problem more commonly associated with developing states?

Animal welfare advocates say the answer, so far, is no. Not because solutions are unknown or unaffordable, but because enforcement has been inconsistent and political will uneven, allowing irresponsible breeding and abandonment to outpace every humane intervention.

Advocates argue that The Bahamas already has a workable blueprint for reducing stray dog populations. What it lacks is consistent leadership to enforce it.

“The primary obstacle is the continued failure of the Department of Agriculture, under the leadership of the Minister of Agriculture, to enforce existing animal welfare legislation.”

- Lisa McCombe BAARK vice-president

clinics seeing increased demand. BAARK reported providing 6,066 free spayand-neuter surgeries in 2024 and 4,252 in 2025 across multiple islands.

Those gains, the group said, are not sustainable without enforcement.

“The primary obstacle is the continued failure of the Department of Agriculture, under the leadership of the Minister of Agriculture, to enforce existing animal welfare legislation,” Ms McCombe said.

“NGOs are funding and delivering the bulk of animal control outcomes. Including sterilisation, rescue, rehabilitation, and education, yet operate without the regulatory backing required to stop irresponsible ownership, illegal breeding, and abandonment.”

“This is not an operational gap. It is a leadership failure. Until enforcement becomes consistent and visible, the stray population will continue to multiply faster than charities can respond.”

within three years.

She highlighted Operation Potcake, which was led twice by the Humane Society with significant support from BAARK, but said the initiative exposed the limits of short-term interventions.

“We only could afford to do it for two weeks,” she said. “We brought in participating vets who came in for free. That is not how a blitz could be organised.”

“You need to have the government enlarge the amount of veterinarians they have on staff, and they need to establish clinics in three different parts of the island of New Providence. People need to be encouraged to bring their animals in to have them spayed and neutered.”

Ms Aranha also criticised what she described as a fixation on licensing rather than population control.

said the solution must be multifaceted, combining expanded spay-and-neuter programmes, reduced breeding, licensed and inspected breeders, and stronger enforcement.

She said roaming dogs, uncontrolled breeding, cruelty, and neglect are already illegal, but enforcement remains weak.

“Unfortunately, the humane society does not have any law enforcement authority, so we have to rely on the police,” she said. “Very all too often, the police are not interested. They take statements, they take complaints, and then they do nothing, or they just, you know, they may go talk to the people, but that's it.”

Charities continue to fund spay-and-neuter programmes, rescue efforts, and public education, but those gains are being eroded by backyard breeding and the weak enforcement of existing animal welfare laws.

Lisse McCombe, vice-president of the Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness (BAARK!), said humane population control — not eradication — depends on enforcement. BAARK said The

Bahamas can significantly reduce and control the stray dog population through sustained spay-and-neuter programmes, but warned that progress hinges on government action.

The organisation’s 2024 data showed rising public participation, with its mobile clinic operating at capacity four days a week in New Providence, waitlists forming, and repeat Family Island

Stabbing death on Daffodil Ave sparks police investigation

A MAN in his late 30s was found dead with stab wounds to his upper body at his residence on Daffodil Avenue yesterday.

Press Liaison Officer

Chief Superintendent

Sheria King said that around 1pm, a co-worker requested a welfare check after becoming concerned

about the man’s whereabouts. Police arrived at the scene, breached the residence, and discovered the man unresponsive inside.

Chief Superintendent King said it was unclear how long the victim’s body had been in the home. An autopsy will be

conducted to determine the cause and time of death. She confirmed the matter is being treated as a death investigation.

Police said the victim’s loved ones became concerned after not hearing from him for about two days.

She said unregulated breeding and weak enforcement are driving the crisis, adding that the “failure lies” in the Department of Agriculture's implementation.

Kim Aranha, president of the Bahamas Humane Society and the Animal Protection and Control Board, said the problem is solvable — and quickly — if the country commits to a sustained national strategy.

She said the stray dog issue can be resolved humanely in about five years through an expanded, countrywide spay-and-neuter programme.

Ms Aranha noted that the average female dog can have six to eight puppies, around half of them female, and can reproduce every six months. She said spaying a single female today can prevent as many as 2,000 dogs

“I find it unbelievably frustrating that the only thing that seems to interest anybody is getting dogs licensed,” she said. “If you want to do that, then hit people where it hurts. A dog that's been spayed or neutered should be $10. A female that has not been spayed should be $500 a year, and a male that has not been neutered should be $350 a year. Make people put their money where their mouth is.”

“Once in a blue moon, they'll take action, but it's not consistent, and there needs to be repercussions for things that are being violated in order for people to understand and take it seriously.”

She also warned about casual, profit-driven breeding, saying many puppies are sold without vaccinations or deworming and sometimes under false claims. Ms Burrows urged buyers to educate themselves, noting that reputable breeders are scarce locally.

Thompson: Table GB power deal

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reopter

jrusssell@tribunemedia.net

EAST Grand Bahama

MP Kwasi Thompson is demanding that the government table its memorandum of understanding with Emera over the proposed acquisition of Grand Bahama Power Company, warning that Bahamians are being asked to trust a deal in which the details remain hidden.

Mr Thompson said Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ announcement on Tuesday that it had signed an MoU with Emera does not amount to an agreement and leaves the public in the dark about what, if anything, has actually been settled.

He pointed to a statement released yesterday from Emera president and chief executive Dave McGregor saying that there is “no final agreement.” In the January 27 letter, Mr McGregor said Emera would have preferred to complete any

transaction before it was disclosed publicly.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis announced the proposed acquisition on Tuesday during a press conference in Grand Bahama, as residents continue to complain about unreliable electricity and rising power bills.

Mr Thompson said the Emera chief executive described the government’s purchase as only a “possible option”, raising questions about what other options are on the table and why they were not disclosed to the public.

The East Grand Bahama MP said Bahamians are therefore left to wonder whether the announcement was simply a “pre-election public relations exercise”.

He raised a series of unanswered questions about the proposed acquisition, including whether the government intends to purchase all of the company’s assets, who would be responsible for maintaining and upgrading them, and

how the transaction would be financed.

Mr Thompson also questioned who would manage the company, how much capital investment would be required to stabilise and modernise the system, how operational costs would be covered, and what impact the deal could ultimately have on electricity rates for consumers on Grand Bahama.

“Let The Bahamas properly evaluate it, and disclose your plans for the proposed structure, financing, ownership, management responsibilities, and implementation timetable, so that this initiative can be evaluated openly, responsibly, and in the best interests of the people of Grand Bahama and The Bahamas as a whole,” Mr Thompson said.

Other opposition members echoed those concerns. Free National Movement deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright argued that the Prime Minister’s announcement appeared to contradict the Emera

president's statements.

Mr Davis rejected that claim, saying the letter showed only that Emera officials would have pre

ferred staff to be informed before the deal was announced publicly. He said there was no contradiction and noted that he had already told reporters the transaction was expected to take between 60 and 90 days to close. The Prime Minister accused the opposition of manufacturing controversy, arguing they should welcome relief for Freeport residents after the Free

Pintard: Airport details have ‘fallen flat’ again

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Leader

Michael Pintard said that after no measurable progress was made on the Grand Bahama International Airport over four years, the Prime Minister has again failed to provide key details during a recent announcement in Grand Bahama.

On Tuesday, it was announced that work on Phase One of the Grand Bahama International Airport, financed through a $100m capital investment, is underway by Polycon.

In response to the Prime Minister’s announcement, Mr Pintard said Grand Bahamians remain unconvinced after four years of unfulfilled promises and missed timelines regarding the airport.

“And so now he comes back and he still has not told us whether he has a design for the airport. He has not told us exactly where the location is going to be, whether or not he's

going to keep the same footprint,” he said.

Mr Pintard also said little was revealed about climate resilience, despite previous flooding issues at the airport during Hurricane Dorian.

“We heard nothing about any serious climate mitigation plans that he have for any new airport he may put in put in place,” he said. “And so, again, Grand Bahamians are in a wait and see mode when it comes to the airport. The details he's given before has fallen flat.”

The FNM leader said the Prime Minister’s remarks did little to reassure residents.

“The prime minister had a press conference, but he does not have a record of progress in Grand Bahama, with respect to the airport.

“When the prime minister came in, he came in through roughly the same airport he came in through last year, the year before, and the year before because he has not transformed the airport.”

Mr Pintard said repeated announcements on financing and timelines have

failed to materialise.

“He's had different financial arrangements that he has announced and different stages he and the deputy prime minister has announced. In 2025, they expected to have the first phase completed.”

The FNM leader said the Davis administration had announced funding from multiple sources, including the UK Export-Import Bank and public-private partnerships.

“None of those have panned out. He has not made progress on the airport.”

“Even though he has had four and a half years, we have made more progress since Dorian and the time we were kicked out of office than he has made in fourplus years since he's been in government,” he said.

Turning to the stalled Grand Lucayan redevelopment, Mr Pintard said the Prime Minister continues to tell untruths.

“He's had more than four years. He met a deal in place when he came to office,” Mr Pintard said, adding that the Davis administration

cancelled prior agreements involving Royal Caribbean, ITM Group and Hutchison Whampoa.

“Their new plans have all fallen flat,” he said, noting that the first collapsed and the current agreement with Concord Wilshire has not yet been transacted.

“They lied that they had $120 million dollars in the bank. It's either they had $120 million dollars in the bank and we don't know where it is now, so tell us where the money is or they didn't have it in the bank.”

Mr Pintard said workers continue to complain because they have not been paid.

“Even now they're behind on payments to

workers. And most of those workers are now home,” he said, adding that the hotel is without water.

On the proposed acquisition of the Grand Bahama Power Company, Mr Pintard said there is little public confidence given the government’s energy record elsewhere in the country.

“The Bahamas government is in charge of power for the rest of the Bahamas. How well are they doing with that? We still have disruption in power supplies in a number of locations,” he said.

Mr Pintard also raised concerns about political interference and governance.

“Imagine that, that they

could determine who they fire and hire without reference to the law… including failure to have competitive bidding on any contracts that they give.”

He questioned whether the recent announcement was linked to unresolved legal matters involving regulation.

“Is this announcement an attempt to circumvent the court's comment on that issue? We do not know.”

Asked about the newly announced MSC cruise port investment for Grand Bahama, Mr Pintard said the Opposition remains cautiously open.

“Any project that has the potential to create employment, and ownership for Grand Bahamian, and better quality of service, we will support.”

However, he stressed that details matter.

“We just need to understand the particulars, and we don't know the deals, and we don't know what the nature of the deal is.” Mr Pintard also briefly addressed speculation surrounding upcoming ratifications of Free National Movement candidates, noting that the process is expected to conclude soon, before February 14.

Uber model not workable in Bahamas due

down after being put to the membership.

“We entertained it, but it’s not something that people are open to at this time,” Mr Butler said. “Uber was willing to use the services of taxi drivers, and even that didn’t find favour with our members.”

He said the union held several meetings and formally presented the proposal to drivers, but it was “soundly rejected”.

While acknowledging that ride-sharing is “a common thing that’s growing in some countries”, Mr Butler said the model is not currently workable in The Bahamas because of existing laws and insurance requirements.

“In The Bahamas, the ability to do that is not where it needs to be, because you can’t use your private vehicle to transport persons,” he said. “You, as a private citizen who has a vehicle that has regular passenger insurance, you cannot use that vehicle. Only a public service vehicle that carries a

certain liability can do that.”

Mr Butler said people who operate outside those requirements — whom he described as “hackers” — have been reported by the union.

He added that many licensed taxi drivers have instead turned to technology on their own terms, developing mobile applications that offer services similar to ride-sharing platforms.

“We have a lot of taxi drivers that have created apps for persons who want to do something similar,” Mr Butler said.

Addressing concerns over pricing, Mr Butler said public reluctance to use taxis is often driven by perception rather than reality, stressing that fares are set by the government, not drivers.

“Taxi fares are regulated by the government. They set the rate, not the taxi driver,” he said, saying drivers may only charge additional fees for extra stops or additional passengers.

“A lot of people seem to think that because you get a

ride share, in most cases it’s cheaper,” he added. “The person doing the ride share, they don’t have to carry any liability. For them, anything, even if it’s ten dollars, that’s more than perhaps what they would have got.”

Mr Butler also raised concerns about competition with livery drivers, particularly at major transportation hubs.

He said there is a “hustle” taking place at locations such as Lynden Pindling International Airport and Atlantis Resort, where livery drivers and taxis operate side by side.

The union has long maintained that livery drivers should not be stationed in areas designated for taxis and insists that such practices are illegal.

Mr Butler said the matter was raised directly with the Prime Minister, who agreed the situation should not continue.

“He agreed that they ought not be operating in that fashion,” Mr Butler said, adding that the union has “not gotten any redress on that”.

Officers face tribunal over viral tourist ‘bribe’ video

incident came to our attention through social media, as it did to the attention of the general public, and quickly, we began an investigation into that matter,” she said.

Ms Knowles said two officers were removed from frontline duties and formally placed before a police tribunal as part of the disciplinary process.

“We have quickly removed them from frontline policing,” she said.

She said further action would be determined once tribunal proceedings conclude, in keeping with police policy.

The investigation follows the circulation of a more than three-minute TikTok video recently that appeared to show several officers conducting a roadblock near St Matthew’s Anglican Church off Shirley Street.

The video was posted by a tourist who alleged that officers attempted to solicit a bribe after stopping him while he was riding a rented

scooter. The tourist said he was visiting The Bahamas from Miami on a cruise and had rented the scooter near the cruise port.

In the footage, an officer identified by badge number 4438 is heard suggesting that instead of issuing a traffic ticket, the matter could be “worked out,” while cautioning the tourist to move out of view of other officers. The exchange has been widely interpreted as an attempt to solicit a bribe.

At one point, after walking away briefly, the tourist commented: “This n*a den give a me (expletive) up scooter.”

He continued recording as officers questioned him at the roadblock.

“These boys then pull me over on the road block. He talking about he got to me give some ticket,” the tourist said.

The officer later told the tourist he needed to consult a superior to determine whether he could be given a “break”. When another officer, identified by badge number 4718, attempted to engage the tourist,

officer 4438 redirected him elsewhere.

“Let me know what you want to do,” officer 4438 later said. When the tourist asked for clarification, the officer responded that instead of issuing a ticket that could cause future complications, the matter could be resolved informally.

“Work something out or whatever the case,” he said. “Let me know. It can’t be obvious. Too much people around. See the boss in khaki. Go out of the view. What I’ll do, I’ll pass you this, and then you put it in this, and then I’ll go from there.”

The tourist replied that he did not have cash. He later wrote on his TikTok story: “Officer didn’t get one penny outta me. I’ll play stupid and run circles around you.”

In an earlier statement, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said the alleged remarks and conduct shown in the video do not reflect the standards or professionalism of the organisation and confirmed that investigations remain ongoing.

Govt dismisses artists union claim BMEU operating outside the law

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Registrar of Trade Unions has rejected claims by the United Artists Bahamas Union (UABU) that a rival musicians’ union is operating outside the law, confirming instead that the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union (BMEU) is in compliance with trade union requirements. Registrar Yolantha Yallop said the BMEU does hold a valid compliance certificate, directly contradicting assertions made by UABU that the union was not entitled to issue letters of support for foreign entertainers seeking to work in The Bahamas.

The UABU on Wednesday had accused the Department of Immigration of allowing foreign entertainers to perform in the country in breach of established work permit policies, and questioned the use of letters of support issued by the BMEU. At a press conference, UABU representatives said their concerns were linked to Immigration’s December 2025 policy requiring all short-term work permit applications to be submitted at least 30 days before the intended start date, a policy the union said it supports.

UABU executive Linc Scavella said the union conducted its own investigations into the entry of foreign entertainers and identified what it described as two troubling cases.

He cited a concert featuring Jamaican artistes Beres Hammond and Tarrus Riley, saying the promoter obtained a letter of support from the BMEU.

Mr Scavella claimed that under the Trade Unions Act, registered unions must submit annual returns by June 1 each year to obtain a compliance certificate, and alleged that the BMEU had failed to meet those requirements — a claim disputed by the Registrar.

“The promoter should not have gone to that union in the first instance,” Mr Scavella said.

He said UABU raised its concerns with Prime Minister Philip Davis and Minister of Immigration Alfred Sears, expressing dissatisfaction with how foreign entertainers were being processed.

Mr Scavella further alleged that some foreign artistes entered The Bahamas “under the disguise of tourists” before performing.

He also referenced a “Back to the 90’s” concert featuring Alison Hinds, claiming he was told performers were already in the country hours before the event.

“They told me they would pick me up and we would go and sort out the immigration permits,” Mr Scavella said. “I told them, ‘You ain’t picking me up to do nothing.’”

He said he contacted Immigration and forwarded information, but the event proceeded.

“I was told that a member of the Prime Minister’s Office said he would get the work permit for these people, and the concert went on,” Mr Scavella said. “I don’t

PLP chairman warns against ‘unforced errors’ with media

PRESS from page one

busy trying to make two plus two five.”

“Folks, two plus two today still equal four, not five,” he added.

know how it happened, but it should not have happened.”

Mr Scavella claimed UABU has documentary evidence of non-compliance, though none was presented at the press conference.

“Well, Immigration, we have the receipts. I’m a former secretary general of that union, and we have receipts that Immigration, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Labour, all of them have the same receipts that we have because a member of that organisation gave it to them,” he said.

“What we are saying is, why go to a union that is not legitimate, and if they are, let them prove it. We want the Minister of Labour and the director of labour and or the Registrar of Trade Unions to say otherwise,” he said.

Mr Scavella said UABU has no objection to foreign entertainers once the law is followed.

“For the record, we love all artists. We don’t have any problem with the artist coming in. As a matter of fact, when they come in legitimately and they pay their levies, we have an obligation to protect them as we protect our own,” he said.

Mr Mitchell’s comments come as media houses increasing seek comment from prospective candidates and political newcomers as parties prepare for the next general election.

“I am an observant student of politics, and I always

counsel folks not to impose deadlines and declarations on yourself that are not necessary and that you have to eat later,” he said, adding that apart from constitutional requirements, nothing compels the party to set public deadlines.

Meanwhile, Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis, in an Op-Ed published in The Tribune today, criticised Mr Mitchell for his recent overseas travel, arguing that his decision to travel to London for meetings,

including one conducted via Zoom, was out of step with the country’s current realities.

She said the trip was difficult to justify at a time when the public healthcare system is under strain and questioned whether public funds are being spent with sufficient restraint, warning that such decisions risk eroding public trust and reinforcing perceptions of an administration disconnected from everyday pressures.

The Tribune Limited

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Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Davis

govt ‘jumped the gun’

WELL, that was embarrassing. The government’s grand announcement for Grand Bahama power prices did not even last a day.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Philip Davis proclaimed a big deal with the government signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Emera over the proposed purchase of Grand Bahama Power Company. Yesterday, Emera popped that balloon, saying there is no final agreement yet.

Emera chief executive Dave McGregor went so far as to issue a statement to staff saying “I realise this news came as a surprise…”

He went on to say that “while the discussions are active and have been productive, there is no final agreement at this time”.

So the government appears to have announced a deal that was not done and jumped the gun on the whole process.

When we said in yesterday’s editorial not to expect any outcome from this deal before the election date, little did we expect that no deal had been done at all. Any results before the election date just went from unlikely to about the same odds as the Powerball.

It brings back memories of other signings that jumped the gun – most recently of the Bahamas Moorings deal, which saw a deal signed to hand over mooring rights “in the Exumas or elsewhere in The Bahamas” for 21 years. After public reaction, the deal was torn up – but still plenty of questions remained. Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis called it a $1bn monopoly being handed over to the politically connected and said the deal should be referred to the Independent Commission of Investigations. If only that were functional to do so. Or how about going far back to the infamous Letter of Intent signed by Renward Wells with Stellar Energy that went unexplained for too long, and led to his resignation?

The announcement of a deal that did not exist this week simply comes across as amateur hour, however.

It also seems like there was such a rush to announce good news in Grand Bahama that there was not even enough of a pause to check if it was true. Given the inability to muster much of a response at all in Mr Davis’ announcement over the fate of the Grand Lucayan Resort, that bodes ill for the state of that deal.

That agreement was with Concord Wilshire, and the absence of a presence

When priorities are revealed by plane tickets

By MICHELA BARNETT-ELLIS FNM Senator

EARLIER this week, Minister of Foreign Affairs publicized that he travelled to London to attend a meeting that was conducted by Zoom, along with two other meetings which could just as easily have been held virtually. In any other context, this might be dismissed as a minor scheduling decision. In the current context of this country, it is something far more troubling.

It is a glaring example of how out of touch this administration has become with the realities facing the people it was elected to serve.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

EVER watch the morning, or evening news and think how lucky you are to live in North America? Meanwhile, Gaza burns. The Russo-Ukrainian conflict drags on. Planes crash. Boats sink in India. A busload of tourists plunges off a cliff in Italy. Sharks attack in Australia and Virginia Beach. Your local news tallies victims of gun violence, then celebrates police seizing massive cubes of cocaine and illicit pills. No wonder you feel wrung out: mentally, emotionally, even physically.

from executives from that organisation alongside Mr Davis is a marked contrast with the fanfare that accompanied the announcement of that deal. Is this another deal that has not really been done? Grand Bahama can ill afford that deal not coming to fruition. As far as the Grand Bahama Power deal goes, the announcement also tramples on Emera’s business matters. Plenty of discussions happen behind the scenes between governments and businesses before they reach a point where they can be announced. Emera no longer has the option of not being in the public eye over future discussions.

FNM MP Kwasi Thompson yesterday wondered whether or not the whole announcement was a “pre-election public relations exercise”. If it was, it backfired.

Mr Davis doubled down despite the letter, but his explanation does not quite hold up to scrutiny either. He said Emera’s letter said only that the company would have preferred staff to be informed before the deal was announced. However, the letter clearly says “there is no final agreement”. We would all like Grand Bahama to be getting a better deal on power costs. But if the deal is not done, it is foolish to pretend that it is. It undermines the government’s announcements right out of the gate, and leaves people to second guess whether other announcements will hold up to scrutiny too. The government fumbled this one. Whether officials knew that and though they could bluff their way through or whether it was not properly checked ahead of time, it leaves the government in damage control mode rather than celebrating actual wins. Whoever’s shoulders it falls on, they blew it.

Return of ‘veil of secrecy’

Meanwhile, PLP chairman Fred Mitchell is falling back on favourite old tactics – tell ’em nothing.

Mr Mitchell advised party colleagues there is “nothing that compels you to answer a phone from a reporter and nothing that compels you to give a statement to the press”.

It seems a long, long time ago indeed when the Prime Minister’s first speech committed this administration to transparency and lifting the “veil of secrecy”, doesn’t it, Mr Mitchell?

The media feeds you these images, priming you into a constant state of fear and fatalism. How did we end up here, and is there a way out? You won’t get those answers from the news. The business runs on profit, not peace of mind. Bad news draws more eyes than good, more than the flowers in your yard, the laughter of children, or the fact that you still have a job and can pay your bills. Bad news isn’t neutral. It stirs your emotions, nudges your thinking, and can steer your actions, sometimes toward compassion, other times toward confusion, anxiety, or even hate. The media chooses its setup, its slant, and its story arc. It can transform a nation’s attitude toward an issue, a group, or an entire conflict. Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda chief, proved how a relentless

media narrative could rally millions toward war. More recently, Donald Trump’s rise demonstrated how media exposure (positive or negative) can shape political outcomes.

Today, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says the country will weather US tariffs and other foreign threats, but will Canadians believe him? Or will we brace for a recession, mass layoffs, and bankruptcies, problems the media could either warn about or downplay?

The real question isn’t whether the media can counter political spin. It’s whether it will.

STEVEN KASZAB Bradford, Ontario January 22, 2026.

At a time when our public healthcare system is buckling under pressure, so strained that its overtime allocation has reportedly been exhausted within the first three months of the year, Bahamians are being asked to accept that international travel for meetings that did not require physical presence is an appropriate use of public funds. It is not.

The overtime shortfall did not arise by accident. It raises serious questions

about whether allocations were deliberately underestimated in order to project a more palatable budget forecast. If that is the case, then frontline healthcare workers are once again being forced to carry the consequences of political accounting choices, while patients endure longer waits, exhausted staff, and compromised care. Are we really suggesting that when a patient’s condition deteriorates unexpectedly, a nurse or doctor should pause to ask whether overtime has been approved before acting? Should a healthcare professional walk away from an emergency, leave a patient bleeding, seek administrative clearance, and then return only after it is too late? That is the absurd and dangerous logic created when essential services are deliberately underfunded and frontline workers are left carrying the consequences.

Against that backdrop, discretionary travel for convenience rather than necessity feels tone deaf and out of touch.

This is not about diplomacy. Virtual diplomacy has been normalized across the world since COVID

19. Governments large and small conduct high level, sensitive, and productive engagements daily without boarding planes or booking hotel rooms. The technology exists. It is widely used. And it saves money.

What this episode highlights is a deeper and more persistent problem. This administration appears to have money for the things that personally interest it, while asking the Bahamian people to tighten their belts when it comes to essential services.

That is not leadership. That is indulgence.

Public office is not a privilege to be enjoyed. It is a responsibility to serve. Ministers are not elected to work for themselves or for the few. They are elected to work for you, for the many who rely on public services, who pay taxes faithfully, and who expect judgment, restraint, and respect in return.

When decisions send the message that comfort and convenience for those in Cabinet come before care and accountability for the public, trust is eroded. We deserve a government that remembers who it works for. Not the few, but you.

Residents deserve reliable water

EDITOR, The Tribune. BLUE Hill Heights and Harold Road Heights, located just off the Tonique Williams-Darling Highway within the Garden Hills Constituency, are growing residential and commercial communities in Nassau. However, for years, residents have been forced to live with unreliable water supply, low pressure, and frequent outages.

Residents have reached out to the Water & Sewerage Corporation and the Member of Parliament for the area on numerous occasions. Repeated calls and messages have been made regarding this concerning matter. Despite these efforts, the issue has not been prioritised or resolved.

The situation continues to worsen. Water was off again early Monday morning, January 26, 2026, making it extremely difficult for residents to get ready for work.

One resident shared that they are often forced to wake up between 2am and 4am just to shower before work, because there is no guarantee that water will be available by 6am or 7am. This is not an isolated case. This is the

LETTERS

lived reality for many families in Blue Hill Heights and Harold Road Heights. Another long-time resident shared that when they moved into Harold Heights nearly 20 years ago, water pressure was already a problem. As a result, they were forced to dig a well at their own expense. Despite this, the resident has continued paying the Water & Sewerage Corporation for meter rental for two decades, even though the public water supply cannot be relied upon if their well fails. The resident questioned how such a long-standing issue remains unresolved, given the technical expertise available to the authorities. Residents have also reported that a known leak is contributing to the ongoing low water pressure and frequent outages. Water was completely off on Friday, January 23, 2026, and only returned on Saturday at approximately 10:30am. Even then, pressure remained inconsistent.

This prolonged neglect is now forcing residents to consider taking matters into their own hands; purchasing water tanks, pumps, and other costly solutions, expenses that should not be necessary if basic infrastructure were properly maintained. Blue Hills Heights and Harold Road Heights residents have had enough. They are tired of the long explanations, repeated assurances, and constant messaging that the government and the Member of Parliament are “aware of the issue.” Awareness is not action. Promises do not turn water taps on. Water is a basic necessity, not a privilege. A community cannot thrive, families cannot function, and businesses cannot operate without reliable access to water. Residents of Blue Hill Heights and Harold Road Heights are therefore calling for more than acknowledgments. They are asking for clear communication, a defined timeline, and immediate action to permanently resolve this long-standing issue. Enough is enough.

D’ANGELO FERGUSON Nassau, January 26, 2026.

Consider driver safety

EDITOR, The Tribune. EVERY day we are faced with traversing the streets to get to our preferred destinations and every day we are faced with some sort of challenges as we drive. Apart from dodging potholes and craters, we also find ourselves traveling on poorly lit or no light at all roads, which can prove deadly and dangerous. Some time ago, a complaint was made about the lack of proper lighting on Sir Milo Butler Highway and to date it has not been resolved. This

highway is well travelled and has claimed its share of lives and still is subject to neglect. From the junction of Harold Road onto the Highway for about 300 meters there are absolutely no working lights and nothing but pitch darkness and the glare of one’s headlights. It forces cars to use high beams, thus blinding the driver in front of them. The road is already winding and dangerous. Please fix the lights. If solar is not working, then switch to “Dawn to Dusk” or something that works but please do something before that Highway

claims another life. We pay too much in taxes to have to endure mediocrity when it comes to maintenance and upkeep of our streets. There is a similar situation on the airport road where an entire section of lights are not working. Perhaps the department responsible is not aware or perhaps they have resolved it. Whatever the current status, please keep our drivers’ safety in mind and keep our streets safe. VANESSA A SCOTT, JP Nassau, January 28, 2026.

PHA approves healthcare overtime after union backlash

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AFTER facing heavy backlash over delayed payments, the Davis administration has approved outstanding overtime funds for healthcare staff for December.

In a memo dated January 27, PHA Managing Director Dr Aubynette

Rolle said officials are finalising the process to facilitate the payments while ensuring the regular payroll is not disrupted. “It is anticipated that overtime payment will be completed by the end of next week or at the latest during the following week. Further updates will be provided as the process progresses,” Dr Rolle said. She did not respond to

calls or messages from this newspaper seeking further comment up to press time.

The notice follows strong criticism from key unions over the delayed payments.

The situation escalated after a January 13 internal PHA memorandum noted that overtime payments would no longer be processed unless first approved by the managing

director’s office. Unions argue that the move punished frontline staff for government mismanagement.

At the time, Bahamas Nurses Union president Muriel Lightbourn and Bahamas Public Service Union president Kimsley Ferguson urged members not to work beyond their scheduled shifts until outstanding

Davis and Pintard clash over carbon credit legislation

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip

“Brave” Davis and Opposition leader Michael Pintard yesterday offered sharply different assessments of the government’s carbon credit agenda as Parliament debated new legislation intended to consolidate climate policy and monetise The Bahamas’ environmental assets.

Mr Davis said the Davis administration is positioning the country to benefit responsibly from carbon markets without “selling or unsustainably monetising” the environment, while Mr Pintard acknowledged the potential of carbon credits but warned that years of promises have yet to translate into clear results or revenue.

“It is past time the world recognises the valuable role our seagrass meadows play in absorbing carbon from the atmosphere,” Mr Davis said. “And if they aren’t going to recognise that value on their own, then it is up to us to put in the work to establish and quantify that value in a way that the world cannot ignore.”

“But I want to be clear: we are not selling or unsustainably monetising our environment. This value existed all along.”

Mr Davis said the government is establishing a framework that ensures the world recognises The Bahamas’ environmental contributions while rewarding continued protection of natural resources. He said there is a growing global demand for carbon credits that represent genuine environmental benefits, creating an opportunity for The Bahamas to generate revenue while safeguarding national interests.

“This is a game-changer that will make a major difference in our climate adaptation and resilience agenda. The potential of Blue Carbon Credits represents Bahamian innovation and excellence at its best, and it also directly challenges the age-old narrative that our nation lacks natural resources,” he said.

His comments came as MPs debated the Climate Change and Environmental Advisory Unit Bill 2025 and the Climate Change and Carbon Market

Initiative (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The legislation consolidates climate policy and finance responsibilities within a single unit, addressing fragmentation across ministries that has slowed decision-making.

“Through this Bill, we are also formalising inter-ministerial coordination by giving the unit oversight of committees related to climate policy, climate finance, carbon markets, and sustainable development,” Mr Davis said.

“This ensures that climate considerations are integrated into decision-making rather than addressed after damage has already occurred.”

The first bill clarifies The Bahamas’ obligations under the Paris Agreement, designates the advisory unit as the central point for international climate engagement, strengthens reporting, and improves access to financing. It also establishes governance and regulatory oversight for carbon markets, including rules for mitigation activities, validation of outcomes, and bilateral and multilateral agreements.

The second bill aligns existing carbon market legislation with the new governance structure, transfers responsibility for international climate reporting to the Prime Minister, and assigns financial administration of carbon market revenues to the Minister of Finance. It also strengthens reporting between the National Emissions Registry and the Prime Minister.

Mr Davis described the legislation as a significant step toward institutionalising climate change policy and carbon credit management, arguing that proactive governance can turn resilience into opportunity.

“We could continue with the policies of the past, reacting after disaster strikes and borrowing to rebuild what was already lost. Or we can build systems strong enough to reduce harm before it happens and smart enough to turn resilience into opportunity,” he said. “One path leaves us permanently exposed. The other gives us agency.”

Mr Pintard said the Free National Movement supports efforts to properly

value and monetise carbon credits, but expressed concern that the Davis administration has repeatedly oversold the initiative without delivering transparency or measurable outcomes.

He recalled that the Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiatives Act and the Carbon Credit Trading Act were passed in 2022 with major promises.

“We are very much

concerned that, even more so, they have not provided the clarity Bahamians need, the updates that we deserve on what has happened since 2022 and 2023,” he said.

Mr Pintard criticised what he described as an emphasis on speeches and press releases over tangible results, arguing that climate resilience must be measured by action rather than rhetoric.

overtime payments were made, describing the situation as unacceptable and disrespectful. PHA officials said the directive was necessary to preserve funding for urgent priorities, including critical hires, and to strengthen oversight after the authority exhausted its overtime allocation.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville has expressed concern over why the government was not notified earlier about the fund exhaustion, suggesting a breakdown in communication between the PHA and the government.

“There are some concerns of why it was brought to our attention in such a late time, but that’s something for the future,” Dr Darville said.

Does unrest in Minnesota = an unpopular Trump?

DONALD Trump thought he had a really good chance to stealMinnesota inthe2024 presidential race. Afterhe addressed the state Republican convention in May in the state capital, he returned on July 27 to hold a rally in the city of St. Cloud, which islocated about anhour northofMinneapolis along theupper Mississippi River.

This rally,as weremost of Trump’s campaigngatherings during allthree ofhis presidentialruns, wasdesignedto attractrural, exurbanMagas andother unaffiliatedvoters who were disenchanted with Democratic ‘woke’ ideology and policies.

Sixdays beforetheSt. Cloud rally, then-president JoeBiden hadreluctantly withdrawnfrom thepresidential race following his disastrous showing acoupleof weeks earlier atthe first 2024 campaign debate with Trump. TheDemocrats werein chaotic disarray.With gas pricesstill obduratelyhigh and border and immigration failuresdogging theDemocratic campaign, Trump was very optimistic as he and JD Vancetookthe stageinSt. Cloud.

Delivering whatturned out tobe emptypromises tofix the economy and complete Trump s southern border wall, TrumpandVancedelightedan overflow crowdof over8,000 fans.

But things are different now inSt.Cloud afterICEandUS BorderPatrol agentsshotand killed two civilian protesters inMinneapolis onJanuary7 andJanuary 14.ICEactivity in the citystirred tensions and ledto severalconfrontations

withprotesters, andanantiICE rally last week. City leadersfrom acrossthepolitical spectrum joined forces to make a statement.

"Wereject violenceanddehumanisation in all forms, and we commit to being voices for peace, understanding, and shared responsibility,” they said. Westrivetomodelwhat itmeansto liveourdemocratic values with courage and compassion.

"Ourshared work,ascivic, education, and business leaders,is groundedin thebelief that democracy depends not onlyon lawsand institutions,but onhowwe treatone another. Peacefuldialogue, freedom ofexpression, and equal protectionunder the Constitution are essential to a society where everyone belongs and can contribute." Trump didn’t carry Minnesota in 2024. Kamala Harris and Minnesota governor Tim Walzwonthestateby137,000 votes, a marginof more than four percent, and abig win in a statethat somefelt mightbe susceptible to supporting Trump.

But thereis littlequestion thatMinnesota voterstoday aredeeply dividedaboutimmigration and its implications forthe state.All theheadlinemaking confrontations between Trump,Department ofHomeland Security,and ICEonone hand,andthenational Democrats,Governor Walz and Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey on the other add to the chaos. And the outraged reaction tothe tragicshootings in Minneapolis continues unabated.

Around ninepercent of Minnesota s intentionally-di-

verse residentsare offoreign origin,with ethnicgroups ranked in descending order by population: fromMexico, Somalia,India, Ethiopiaand Laos.The latterarethe Hmong hill country tribespeople who worked with theUSmilitary duringtheVietnam War andwererepatriatedto theUSafter thewar. Minnesota ranks in the middle of US states in African-American population, withabout eight percent.

The state’seight members oftheUSHouseofRepresentatives are evenlydivided between Republicans and Democrats, one of the latter being Rep. Ilhan Omar, whose outspoken identification as Somali-American andstrident criticism of Trump has put her consistentlyin thenational newsand madeher aMAGA target.Her townhall wasdisruptedthis weekby aman harmlessly throwingliquid at her.

Ironically,the uproarfollowing the two fatal shootings inMinneapolis thathascaptured national and internationalheadlines forweeks came just acouple of days afteranotherMinnesota-based story buffered long-standing conservativecomplaintsabout corruption andabuse inliberal-supported socialservice programs around the country. Just two days before Renee Good wasshot to deathby an

ICEagent inMinneapolis, CBS News reported the story.

As nationalattention focuses on the growingfraud scandal inMinnesota, whichfederal prosecutorsestimatecouldtop $9 billion,the state'sDemocratic Governor TimWalz has announcedhe is dropping his re-election campaign ” A huge story.

Major programs victimised by corrupt officials included daycare centres,autismprograms, various housing support organisationsand food support.

No one istalking about this now. Trumpand Department ofHomeland Securityofficials havemanaged tomake peopleforget allabout itwith their ICE and Border Patrol activities.

The transformation of several DHS agencies into alleged thugs and vigilantes under the current US administration hasseized thenation’s attention. Punditsare dissecting public officials statements todiscern cracksin the wall ofGOP congressional supportfor Trump.Pollsalso show support for the president flagging on theeconomy and his unsuccessful efforts so far to stem rising costs of living.

An interestingperspective on the shootings comes from asunlikely asource asprofessional athletes, which may indicate the depthof discontent and unease inAmerica over therecent killings.Thereactions come fromstarbasketball players and coaches from twoteams visitingMinneapolis in recent weeks. The hometown Timberwolvesare enjoying a largely successful season so far, standing in a virtualtie withtheLakers, Suns,andRockets inahotly contested Western Conference

NBA race.

The Cleveland Cavaliers visited Minneapolis downtown Target Center arena for a scheduledgame onJanuary8, the dayafter Goodwas killed. The Cavs’ all-starleader and players association vice-president, Donovan Mitchell, spoke with the Cleveland Plain Dealer after the game.

“Cleveland was on a routine business trip toMinnesota, preparing to face the Timberwolves the next night,” the article stated. The dayunfolded like any other road stop until it didn t. Newsbrokeofthe fatal shooting of ReneeGoodbyan ICE agent just miles away. Suddenly, the normal protections ofthe NBAlifestyledisappeared. Players were restricted to their hotelrooms. Plans were scrapped. Theinvisible barrier between theleague andreal life cracked.”

havefamilywho cametothis country, and they fear for their lives, he said. And they re legal citizens,and like,they fear.”

Last weekend, the Golden StateWarriors wereinMinneapolisfor twoscheduled games with the Wolves.

“Itwasreallybizarre,”Warriors coach Steve Kerr saidMonday. But wehave alot ofempathy forthe people hereand we’re really hopeful that the protests here and nationwide will lead to a much better solutionfor immigration. Immigration isa problem that needs to be addressed, but it needs to be addressed byCongress, legislatively, not by military force inthe streets, pulling people from their homes.

The Cavs all-starDonovan Mitchell said We areinthis bubble as NBA players, right? Like, we’re removed.But in thesametoken, beingtherein Minnesota whenthat happened, itreally madeyou open your eyes because you’rethere,youfeelit,right? It’s 10 minutes away. We’re on lockdown inthe hotel. You canonly feelforthe peopleof Minnesota,feel forthefamilies, because it s just not right ...It sthehumanelement.It s the human part ofit that gets to me. It snot rightthat itkeeps happening. It’s notrightthat it sdesensitised theway itis ...that can tbe whowe areas a country, as a people.” Mitchell isthe grandsonof animmigrantfromPanama. I

“Obviously, we are the visitors here,” Kerr said. We re the observers. It’s not our city but wehear what people arefeeling, theirfamilies are feeling,and then to see literallyup closethe peoplein thestreets andthe tragedy, knowingit wasright down the street from us, was almost surreal.” Kerr is oneof the most widely respected figures in NBA history. He has won a totalof nine NBAchampionship rings, five as a player (three with Michael Jordan s ChicagoBulls andtwowith Tim Duncan sSan Antonio Spurs) andfour asthe head coach ofSteph Curry s Golden State Warriors (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022). Heis the first personin NBAhistory to win atleast fourchampionships asa playerand asa coach. And he has nine! His words resonate.

Review and reform of web shops needed now

IFYOU combinethe numberofstudentsinfouror soofthelargesthighschools onNewProvidence,thetally would beapproximately that ofthepopulationofLongIsland, around3,000. Despite its small population, Long Islandhas severalweb shops. And--likeother Family Islands,and throughout NewProvidence andGrandBahama--theweb shops are pervasive, draining moneyand lifebloodfrom scoresof communities, especially in the poorer neighbourhoods.

And, throughsmart devices, the web shops drain hundredsof millionsayear, redistributing wealth from themiddleclassandthepoor toafew superrichBahamians, most ofwhom appearmorally indifferentto the effectsof theirendless marketing of island-wide luckschemes thatarerarely good luck.

Inoneof thegreatestexamples ofinequality inBahamian history, manypoorer citizens are under relentless assault by thesector, which continues to fuelgreater inequality withlittle returns beyondChristmas andother giveaways that are nothing more than marketing extravaganzasand notgenuine philanthropy.

Tenyears afterwebshop operators weregiven near carte blanche andlicencesto reap massiveprofits from the Bahamianpeople, it’s time to revisit the decision andreformthe sectorinthe interest of justice, fairness, andthe fiscalandsocial needs of the country.

With urgency,religious, civic, business,and other leaders should join the growing callsof arguably the majority of Bahamians, who areurging significant andnecessaryreformstodomestic gambling.

It’s especially incumbent on religious leaders to raise theirmoral voices.They should not beseduced by web shop operators who attempttobuythemoffandsilence theirvoices withmon-

etary mammon, honours, and other goodies. They might recall from Scripture, thetemptation of “thelustoftheeyes”(1John 2:16), thecraving for money, possessions,lifestyle, and status symbols” Religious leaders should notbeapingthecrassmaterialism ofweb shopoperators, showingoff their wealth onInstagram while yachtingand travellingin luxury, andvainglorious, self-promoting billboards erected alongsidereal estate developments.

There is asimple and compellingquestion forall religious leaders: Do you standmorewiththepoorand hungry or with web shop barons?

Theamount ofmoney goinginto politicalcoffers andprivate bankaccounts from gambling interests is corrupting ourpolitics and society. Left totheir own,most of thepolitical class--manyof whomhave benefittedpersonallyand politicallyfrom the number’s bosses--will not push for reform.

They must be pushed

One ofthe recentvoices promotinga moreequitable gaming structure isthat of former Abaco Chamber of Commerce President, Daphne DeGregory Miaoulis, oneof theproprietorsof AbacoNeem.She

noted in an interview with this journal earlier this month: “Sincethey're allowing gamblinghouses, I think the Government should havea nationallottery...

“I'm not suggesting that gamblingis theway togo,” shesaid, but they've clearly allowedthe gamblinghouses tooperate. Thegambling houseshave alsoproventhat it'savery lucrative business.

“And if Iwantedto gamble mymoney, andI knewthatIwasgamblingin a government-operated agency,and Ilost, well,you never really loseif the money is going back to the people.

They've been recently talking abouthaving a moratoriumso there'sno more gambling houses allowedtobe created.ButI think thatthey've given those gamblinghouses alot of protectionlong enough.

question: Whodoyoustand with more. Four hundred thousand Bahamians, including the most vulnerable

It’s time to reform webshops in the interest of justice, fairness, and the fiscal and social needs of the country.

AndifIwereingovernment, I would certainlybe looking at anational lottery asa way ofgeneratingrevenueforthe country that everybody can benefit from.”

An increasing numberof Bahamians,arguably amajority,would supportanationallottery. Bothmajor partiesshould considerthe growinggroundswellofsupport for such a lottery.

Justlike religiousleaders, political leaders are confronted with a compelling

EU warns of possible action after US bars 5 accused of censorship

By LORNE COOK Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) France, Germany, the EuropeanUnionand theUnitedKingdomon Wednesday hit out at a U.S. decision to impose travel banson fiveEuropeanstheTrump administration accuses of pressuring tech firms to censor or suppress American views.

The EU s executive branch, the European Commission,which supervisestechregulation in Europe,warned that it wouldtake action against any unjustified measures."It saidit had requestedclarification from theU.S. State Department, whichannounced thebans on Tuesday.

Thefive Europeanswere characterisedby U.S.SecretaryofState MarcoRubioas radical” activists and “weaponised” nongovernmental organisations. They include the former EUcommissioner responsibleforsupervising social media rules, Thierry Breton. Breton, a businessman and former French finance minister,clashed lastyear onsocial media withtech billionaireElon Muskover broadcasting an onlineinterview with Donald Trump in the months leadingup to the U.S. election.

Rubiowrote inanXpost onTuesdaythat forfartoolong,ideologuesinEuropehaveled organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose.”

“The Trump Administrationwill no longer tolerate these egregiousacts of extraterritorial censorship,” he posted.

The European Commissioncountered that the EUis an open, rules-basedsingle market, with the sovereign rightto regulate economic activity inline with our democraticvalues and international commitments.”

“Ourdigital rulesensureasafe, fair,and levelplayingfield forallcompanies,applied fairly and without discrimination,” it said.

French PresidentEmmanuel Macronsaid on Xthathehadspoken toBretonabouttheU.S. move.“Wewillstandfirmagainstpressureand will protect Europeans, Macron posted.

Macron saidthe EU’s digital ruleswere adopted by a democratic and sovereign process involving all membercountries and the European Parliament. He said the rules “ensure fair competition among platforms, without targeting any third country” He underlinedthat the rulesgoverning the European Union’sdigital space arenot meant to be determined outside Europe.

ThefourotherEuropeansbannedbytheU.S. areImranAhmed,chiefexecutiveoftheCentre forCountering DigitalHate; JosephineBallon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of HateAid,a Germanorganisation; andClare Melford, who runs the Global Disinformation Index.

in our society, orwith afew super wealthy webshop operators?”

In its October editorial, The Guardian offered this commentary:“Thewebshop industry has been one of the mostlucrative inmodern Bahamian history. The gaming operators boast aboutthe taxesthey pay, butwe haveyet tosee a clearand comprehensiveaccounting of how much revenue thegovernment has collected, howmuch has

been reinvested,and how much has beensiphoned off in profits.

“TheBahamianpeopledeservetoknow thetrueeconomic impact ofthis industry, such ashow much hasbeen extractedfrom communities by way of gambling losses.

It would also be interesting to know how much gaming revenues have been reinvested in community development, educationand poverty alleviation.”

The editorial continued: “Manyinvolvedwhowishto avoid accountabilityand shiftthe narrativewillbring upthe issueofforeignowned casinos.

“But that isaseparate questionof nationalpolicy, tourism strategy, and foreign directinvestment. Thedomesticwebshopsectoris,by design, a Bahamian ownedindustry patronised, as faras thelaw isconcerned, byBahamian citizens.And its profitscomefromBahamian pockets, often the most vulnerable ones.

“Ifa handfulofowners can use their influence to freezeoutcompetitionfor25 years,thenthisindustryisno morefor theBahamianthan the foreigncasinos theyde-

flect to.

Unlike other productive economic sectors,gaming produces no tangible goods or services.While some gamble for entertainment, gamblingthrives onaddiction, superstition, the desire tomakequickmoney,andto deal with stress and other emotional problems.

We should celebrate black successand excellence.We can doso whilebeing alarmed over theeffects of gaming, whether owned by black or white Bahamians.

Manyofthe webshopoperators and their enablers willoffer spinning,excuses, and deflectivearguments as to why theyshould continue to enjoy a lavish monopoly and why theyoppose a national lottery

We needa newarchitecture of campaignand party financinglawsandreformto better regulate and restrain moneyin politics.Thismust beaccompanied byinvestigating how theweb sector is operating,its influenceson the society, and what structural reform is needed.

If the operators mean the countrywell,theyshouldnot beopposed togreateraccountability, transparency, and reform.

Remaining FNM candidates to be ratified before Valentine’s Day, says Pintard

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said the party is preparing to move swiftly through its remaining candidate approvals, with one more ratification round imminent and up to three additional rounds to follow.

Mr Pintard said 13 candidates remain under consideration, with most expected to be settled during the next ratification process.

Asked when that round would take place, he said: “It'll be shortly. It'll before Valentine's Day

for sure.”

The FNM has so far ratified 28 candidates, with its most recent slate unveiled last month. Those approved include a mix of newcomers and former Members of Parliament from the Minnis administration.

They include party chairman Dr Duane Sands for Bamboo Town, Kwasi Thompson for East Grand Bahama, Michael Foulkes for Golden Gates, Marvin Dames for Mount Moriah, Carlton Bowleg for North Andros and the Berry Islands, Elsworth Johnson for Yamacraw, Rickey Mackey for North Eleuthera, Senator Darren Henfield for

South Beach, and Adrian White for St Anne’s.

The Progressive Liberal Party last week ratified 15 candidates, including 12 incumbents and three newcomers, bringing its total number of ratified candidates to 28.

Among them was Darron Pickstock, the Member of Parliament for Golden Isles, who won the seat in the November 2025 by-election following the death of Vaughn Miller.

Meanwhile, PLP aspirants in several Grand Bahama constituencies were seen at the party’s headquarters on the island with supporters as they sought nomination.

Over 200 Bahamians regain vision through “Brightness Action” partnership

OVER 200 Bahamians

have had their sight restored following a successful monthlong surgical blitz at Princess Margaret Hospital, the result of a specialized healthcare partnership between The Bahamas and China.

The “Brightness Action Initiative,” which launched in early January, saw Bahamian and Chinese ophthalmic specialists collaborate to perform 203 vision-restoring surgeries. The program targeted patients suffering from preventable and treatable eye conditions, aiming to clear a significant portion of the national surgical waiting list.

At a press conference held Thursday, January 23, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville formally thanked the visiting medical teams and Chinese Ambassador HE Yan Jiarong for the diplomatic and clinical support.

“This initiative expands our ability to deliver timely interventions for our mothers, fathers, and students,” officials noted during the ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister. The event also featured the signing of handover documents for a major donation of ophthalmic equipment and supplies from the Chinese government. The new technology is expected to modernize local service delivery and strengthen the country’s long-term capacity to provide world-class eye care without patients needing to travel abroad.

Health officials emphasized that the initiative marks a milestone in reducing the local healthcare backlog through disciplined public service and international diplomacy.

Photo: Anthon Thompson/BIS

Court of Appeal grants bail to man accused of killing nephew

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Court of Appeal has granted bail to Alfred McKinney, accused of fatally shooting his nephew, Kristian McKinney, after ruling that a Supreme Court judge wrongly refused bail despite finding no evidence that he would flee or interfere with witnesses.

“The learned Judge was clear in her finding that there was no evidence before her which suggested that the Applicant would abscond

or interfere with witnesses in the trial. It is of concern then that the learned Judge could determine that based, on the evidence, bail ought to be refused,” the judgment said.

Mr McKinney is charged with the murder of Kristian McKinney, who was shot on November 6, 2024, near Finlayson Street in New Providence around 10am, on a track road off Finlayson and Boulder Streets. He has been on remand since February 2025, following two unsuccessful bail applications in the Supreme Court.

In overturning that decision, the Court of Appeal said the refusal of bail rested on conjecture rather than proof. The lower court had relied on the seriousness of the charge, the strength of the Crown’s case, and McKinney’s close relationship with key witnesses, but failed to point to any evidence demonstrating a real risk.

“In the absence of evidence, merely listing the relevant factors and using expressions such as ‘may’ or ‘is likely to’ cannot discharge the Crown’s burden,” the

judgment said. Prosecutors relied on statements from an eyewitness and from McKinney’s girlfriend, who claimed he admitted to the shooting. The appellate court stressed that disputes over the credibility or weight of evidence are matters for trial, not bail hearings.

“The mere absence of a specific document, such as a final pathologist report, does not automatically invalidate a VBI if the prosecution has other evidence,” the judgment said, referring to the voluntary bill of indictment.

The court also rejected an application to introduce fresh evidence, including a subsequent statement from the girlfriend retracting her earlier account, ruling that such issues should be addressed at trial. The court was told the killing followed a long-standing dispute between uncle and nephew. In July 2020, Kristian McKinney accused Alfred McKinney of pulling a gun on him during an earlier confrontation. Police seized a quantity of marijuana during that incident. The

assault charge was later withdrawn, and McKinney was fined $500 for the drug offence.

Allowing the appeal, the Court of Appeal granted bail in the sum of $25,000 with two suretors. McKinney must report to the police station nearest his home every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday before 6pm, be fitted with an electronic monitoring device, surrender his travel documents, and refrain from harassing or interfering with the witness, Antinique McKinney.

Jury votes 7-2 to acquit man of Boxing Day rape charge

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

A 24-YEAR-OLD man was acquitted yesterday by a Supreme Court jury of an alleged rape on Boxing Day 2024 involving a 19-year-old woman with whom he had a prior sexual relationship.

Denaveo Sweeting, 24, was in court as the jury returned a 7–2 not guilty verdict after just over an hour of deliberations at the close of his rape trial before Justice Renae McKay.

Sweeting was accused of raping the teenage complainant at her New Providence residence on December 26, 2024.

Defence attorney David Cash thanked the jury on behalf of his client following the verdict.

After Justice McKay informed Sweeting that he had been acquitted and was free to go, Sweeting asked whether the restraining order against the complainant could remain in place.

During the trial, the defence said the

complainant and the defendant had what was described as a ‘meet up and grind’ relationship. The defence also acknowledged that the defendant was in relationships with two women prior to the alleged incident.

They said the complainant initiated sexual contact on the day of the alleged incident.

While the defendant admitted to a sexual act, he said the act was consensual.

Sweeting said he did not have vaginal intercourse

with the complainant that day, explaining that he left after the sexual act because he was afraid she would tell his girlfriend.

Sweeting also denied the complainant’s claim that he had given her or his girlfriend a sexually transmitted disease.

Mr Cash described the complainant as vindictive and dangerous, with an unhealthy relationship with the truth. The defence also submitted that there was no physical evidence of sexual assault produced at

trial, noting that the complainant’s report was made outside the 72-hour window for collecting biological evidence.

The complainant alleged that the defendant went to her home unannounced on the afternoon of the incident. Once inside, she claimed he removed the towel from her body and choked her against a wall. She alleged that he then assaulted her, bent her over a couch, and raped her.

She claimed that after

Three year sentence for guilty plea over loaded Glock pistol Accountant

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

he was finished he told her, “I got what I wanted.”

Prior to the alleged rape, the complainant confronted the defendant at his workplace after learning that he had a girlfriend. She claimed that she later moved on and let the defendant go. She said that if she had wanted to have sex with the defendant that day, she would have called him. Erica Ingraham and Vashti Bridgewater appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

After Francis accepted sole responsibility, the charges against his co-accused — Deangelo Francis, 37, Joniqua Francis, 31, and Moneisha Burrows, 18 — were withdrawn.

A MAN who admitted to having a loaded pistol in his Major Road home last week was sentenced to three years in prison. Tawan Francis, 39, was found with an aqua and silver Glock 9mm pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition in a drawer at his residence at around 5am on January 22. Francis pleaded guilty before Magistrate Lennox Coleby to charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Francis was sentenced to 36 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He was also fined $5,000, with an additional year in prison if he fails to pay. He was informed of his right to appeal the sentence within seven days. Glenda Roker represented the accused, while Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie prosecuted the matter.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A FEMALE accountant accused of stealing more than $455,000 from a West Bay Street contracting company and forging National Insurance and immigration receipts was granted bail yesterday.

Prosecutors allege that Monique Minnis, 53, possessed and uttered forged receipts from the National Insurance Board, the Ministry of Finance, and the Department of Immigration in the names of Paradise Contracting Services, Rubees Investment Company, Daqin Ye, Yuhua

Peng, Bangwen Xia, Xianfeng Zhang, Youtan Bian, Shizhong Ma, Zhijun Chen, Lijie Wang, Baorong Zhou, Qiren Jiao and Baoping Wu between March 1, 2024 and March 20, 2025. During the same period, Minnis is also accused of forging and uttering a business licence for Paradise Contracting, along with a fraudulent Scotiabank account summary for the company. Prosecutors further allege that while employed at Paradise Contracting on West Bay Street, Minnis stole $455,838.52 from the company between August 8, 2024 and April 17, 2025. Minnis pleaded not guilty

before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly Burrows to 18 counts of possession of a forged document, 18 counts of uttering a forged document, eight counts of stealing by reason of employment, and ten counts of money laundering. Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom, the prosecutor, raised no objection to bail. Minnis was granted bail in the sum of $95,000 with two to three sureties. She is required to sign in at the Elizabeth Estates Police Station every Thursday by 6pm. The matter returns to court on March 18. Ryszard Humes represented the accused.

Advocate warns forest clearing at Perpall Tract will worsen flooding

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AN environmental advocate is warning that destroying the Perpall Tract Wellfield Forest to make way for housing could leave surrounding communities more vulnerable to flooding and erase one of New Providence’s last major forests for generations.

Terry Miller, executive director of The Bahamas Association for Social Health and founder of Earth Village, said he believes the government is moving to clear one of the island’s final significant forested areas for development. He said he has seen workers cutting roadways through the forest and conducting studies, and recalled hearing tractors felling trees just last week while leading children on a tour of the site.

When contacted by The Tribune, Minister of the Environment Zane Lightbourne said the Ministry of Housing’s Adastra Gardens housing extension is planned for the area. He said trees will be removed to facilitate construction, but added that mitigation measures include replanting and installing stormwater drainage to address flooding

concerns. A public consultation on the project is scheduled for February 10. In February 2025, Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal Keith Bell announced that Cabinet had approved the Adastra Gardens development, which will include 160 homes, along with an additional 40 homes in the Pinecrest Subdivision. The Perpall Tract Wellfield is a 212-acre property acquired by the government in the late 1930s to supply water to the city of Nassau.

Mr Miller said he has been clearing trails and stewarding the forest since 2022. He said that in 2005, he formally began seeking a lease or Memorandum of Understanding with the government to protect the land and develop it as a major eco-tourism site. Later that year, a Disney Cruise Line shore-excursion team visited the forest. His plans, however, never materialised due to a series of setbacks.

Controversy surrounding the site intensified after the government announced plans to construct a $290m speciality hospital on part of the land. The 50-acre medical facility is slated for western New Providence. Residents in nearby

communities have repeatedly raised concerns about flooding linked to development in the area. In September last year, homes were inundated during Tropical Storm Imelda, leaving residents trapped.

Mr Miller described the flooding as the worst he has witnessed, recalling wading through knee-deep water, and warned that further development would only exacerbate the problem.

He said the hospital is planned for the far end of the property, but that officials now intend to build a housing subdivision on the remaining acreage.

“It is a deliberate decision to create another Pinewood Gardens,” he said. “This is not development. This is gross shortsightedness.”

“The people who will pay the price are not policymakers,” he added. “They are the residents, homeowners, school children and working families in surrounding communities.”

Mr Miller said he has not been contacted by government officials despite what he described as repeated efforts to obtain answers. He urged environmental stakeholders, including The Bahamas National Trust and The University of The Bahamas, to speak out in defence of the forest.

Two men granted bail for night burglary on Evans Street

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO men accused of entering a man’s Evans Street home at night and stealing $358 worth of property earlier this week were granted bail yesterday.

Prosecutors allege that Antonio Murray, 29, and Cedric Johnson, 54, unlawfully entered the residence of Tristan Smith on the night of January 26 and stole $170, a pair of Jordan tennis shoes, two steaks, and a bag of fish.

After electing to proceed before the Magistrate’s Court, both defendants pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful entry by night and stealing before Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs.

Inspector Bain, the prosecutor, objected to bail, citing the bold nature of the offence. He alleged that the complainant was awakened by intruders inside his home and that the defendants were detained by police as they exited the premises.

Murray, however, claimed that he was arrested at his own home.

The prosecutor further submitted that the defendants posed a high risk of reoffending.

In granting bail,

Magistrate Isaacs noted that Johnson had no prior convictions. Both men were granted bail in the sum of $3,500, with one or two sureties each.

They were warned not to contact any witnesses, failing which their bail could be revoked. The matter returns for trial on February 4.

JOB VACANCY ACCOUNTANT

LOCATION: Nassau, The Bahamas

REPORTS TO: The Assistant Financial Controller

First Trust Bank Limited is seeking a skilled and experienced accounting professional. The successful candidate will be responsible for the ongoing updating and maintenance of the books and records of the bank’s managed entities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes, but is not limited to:

• Pull transaction data from custodians’ online portals.

• Preparation and entry of journal entries into the accounting system.

• Record corporate actions and investigate any differences with custodians.

• Pricing of securities at month-end.

• Perform month end reconciliations with bank and custodian statements and prepare reporting packages.

• Communicate with custodians, managers, and service providers.

• Monitor receipt of monthly and quarterly reporting by external asset managers.

• Recalculate custodian fees.

• Monitor compliance of Managed Entities.

• Assist with the annual audits of the Managed Entities.

• Assist with other accounting/financial projects as assigned from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or related field from an internationally recognized, accredited university or college is required.

• Professional accounting certification is preferred.

• 3 or more years professional experience as an Accountant in a finance and/or accounting environment.

• Professional experience at a fund administrator / private bank is preferred.

• Project management skills

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE REQUIRES:

• Passionate commitment to the vision and mission of Sir John Templeton.

• Intellectual curiosity.

• Humble spirit and desire to work for the benefit of others.

• Maturity and discretion.

Competitive salary & benefits packages are commensurate with experience. Bahamians and residents with the right to work only should apply.

Interested candidates can submit their resumes and cover letters via email to hr@ftbbahamas.com or before Friday, February 20th, 2026

So, you want to use AI for homework? Ok, but a couple dos and don'ts

By KELVIN CHAN and JOCELYN GECKER Associated Press

THE rapid riseof ChatGPT and othergenerative AIsystems hasdisrupted education, transforming how students learn and study.

Students everywherehave turned to chatbots to help with their homework,but artificial intelligence'scapabilitieshave blurred thelines aboutwhat it should and shouldn't be used for.

The technology's widespread adoption in many other partsof lifealsoadds tothe confusion about what constitutes academic dishonesty.

Here are some do's and don'tson usingAI forschoolwork:

Don't just copy and paste

Chatbots are sogood at answering questions with detailed written responsesthat it's tempting tojust take their workand passitoff asyour own. But incase itisn't already obvious, AI should not be used as a substitute for putting inthework. Anditcan'treplace our abilityto think critically. You wouldn't copy and paste informationfrom atextbook or someoneelse's essay andpassit offasyourown. The same principle applies to chatbot replies.

"AI can helpyou understand concepts or generate ideas,but itshould neverreplace your own thinking and effort," theUniversity of Chicago says inits guidance on using generativeAI. "Always produce originalwork,

anduseAI toolsforguidance and clarity, not for doing the work for you."

Sodon'tshyawayfromputtingpen topaper or your fingers to the keyboard to do your own writing.

"If you use an AI chatbot to writeforyou whether explanations, summaries, topic ideas,or eveninitialoutlines you will learn less and performmore poorlyonsubsequentexamsandattemptsto use thatknowledge," Yale University's PoorvuCenter for Teaching and Learning says.

Do use AI as a study aid Experts say AIshines when it'susedlikea tutororastudy buddy. Sotry usinga chatbot toexplaindifficultconceptsor brainstormideas, suchas essay topics. California highschool English teacher CaseyCuny advises his studentsto use ChatGPT to quiz themselves ahead of tests.

He tells themto upload classnotes, studyguidesand any other materialsused in class, such asslideshows, to thechatbot,and thentellit which textbookand chapter the test will focus on. Then, studentsshould prompt thechatbot to:"Quiz me onequestion ata time based on all the material cited, andafterthatcreateateaching plan for everything I got wrong."

Cuny posts AI guidance in theform ofa trafficlight ona classroom screen.Greenlighted usesinclude brainstorming, asking for feedback on a presentation or doing research.Redlighted,orprohib-

ited AI use: Asking an AI tool to write athesis statement, a roughdraft orrevise anessay. A yellow light is when a student isunsure if AI useis allowed, inwhich casehetells them to come and ask him.

Or try using ChatGPT's voice dictation function, said SohanChoudhury, CEOof Flint, an AI-powered education platform.

"I'll just brain dump exactly what I get, what I don't get" about a subject, he said. "I can goon aramble forfive minutes about exactly what I do anddon't understandabout atopic. Ican throwrandom analogies atit, and Iknow it's going tobe able togive me something back to me tailored based on that."

Do check yourschool's AI policy

As AIhas shakenup the academic world, educators havebeenforced tosetout theirpolicies onthetechnology.

In the U.S.,abouttwo dozen stateshave state-level AI guidance forschools, but it's unevenly applied.

It'sworth checkingwhat yourschool, collegeoruniversity says about AI. Some might have a broad institution wide policy.

The University of Toronto's stanceisthat "studentsarenot allowed touse generativeAI in a courseunless the instructorexplicitly permitsit" andstudents shouldcheck coursedescriptions fordo's and don'ts.

Manyothers don'thavea blanket rule.

The StateUniversity of New York atBuffalo "has no

David Bowie's childhood home in London set to open to the public

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

LONDON(AP) David Bowie sbedroomcouldsoon be London’s newest tourist attraction.

The house wherethe musician grewfrom suburban schoolboy torock n roll starman hasbeen boughtby a charity that plans to open it to the public.

The Heritageof London Trust saidThursday thatthe 19th-century railway worker s cottage in the south Londonsuburb ofBromley willbe restoredto its1960s decor and open to the public next year. Visitors will beable to visitthe 9-footby10-foot (2.7-meter by3-meter) bedroom, where aspark be-

came aflame,” the charity said.

Bowie, born David Jones, livedin thehouse withhis parents from 1955, when he was 8, until 1967, when he was a20-year-old working musician hungry for fame. Geoffrey Marsh,co-curatorof theVictoria andAlbert Museum’s hit2013exhibition “David Bowie Is," said the house is where "Bowieevolved fromanordinary suburbanschoolboy to the beginningsof an extraordinary international stardom.

“As he said, ‘I spent so muchtime inmybedroom, it really wasmy entire world.I hadbooks upthere, my music up there, my record player.'"

From Bromley,Bowie

went on acreative journey that took him to Philadelphia, Berlin andNew York, through eye-popping style changes and musical genres from folk-rock to glam, soul, electronica and new wave. His songbookincludes classics such as Space Oddity, “Changes,” “Lifeon Mars,” Starman,” “Young Americans” and “Heroes.”

The heritagetrust scrambled tobuy thehouse whenitwent onthemarket lastyear.It hasn t said how muchitpaid,Otherhouseson the streethave recentlysold for upwardsof 500,000 pounds ($670,000) modest by London standards.

Thehouse project,backed by Bowie s estate,hasreceived a500,000 pound charitygrantandisseekingto

universalpolicy,"accordingto its online guidancefor instructors."Instructorshavethe academic freedom to determine what tools students can andcannot usein pursuit ofmeetingcourselearningobjectives. Thisincludes artificialintelligence toolssuchas ChatGPT."

Don't hide AI use from teachers AI isnot theeducational bogeyman it used to be. There's growing understanding that AI is here to stay and the nextgeneration of workerswill havetolearn howto usethetechnology, which has thepotential to disruptmany industriesandoccupations.

So students shouldn't shy awayfrom discussingitsuse withteachers, becausetransparency prevents misunderstandings, said Choudhury. "Twoyears ago,many teachers were just blanket against it. Like, don't bring AI upin thisclassat all,period, end ofstory," hesaid. But

three years after ChatGPT's debut, "many teachers understand that the kids are using it. So they'remuch moreopen to having a conversation as opposed tosetting ablanket policy."

Teachers saythey're aware that students arewary of asking if AI use is allowed for fear they'llbe flaggedas cheaters. But clarity is key because it's so easy to cross a line without knowingit, says Rebekah Fitzsimmons, chair of theAI facultyadvising committeeatCarnegieMellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

"Often, students don't realisewhenthey'recrossinga line between atool that is helping them fix content that they've created andwhen it is generatingcontent forthem," says Fitzsimmons, who helped draft detailed new guidelines forstudents and facultythat strivetocreate clarity.

raiseanother1.2millionpounds in donations. Theheritage trust aims toopen the housein late 2027 forpublic visitsand creative workshops for children. Heritage of London Trust director NicolaStacey saidthe housewill offervisitorsinsight intoBowie's creativeorigins,

and intodomestic lifein the 1950s and 1960s,a period of huge social change. I m keen thatit doesn t feel static, it doesn t, feel sterile, there’sa senseofthe familyliving there, she said. “And a senseof that you’ve really walkedinto David

And don't forget ethics Educators wantstudents to useAIin awaythat'sconsistentwith theirschool's values and principles.

The Universityof Florida says students should familiarise themselveswith the school'shonour codeandacademicintegrity policies"to ensure your useof AI aligns with ethical standards."

Oxford University says AI tools must beused "responsibly and ethically"and in line with its academic standards. You shouldalways useAI toolswith integrity,honesty, and transparency, and maintain a critical approach to using anyoutput generatedby these tools," it says.

The Universityof Chicago says students should cite AI if itwasused tocomeupwith ideas, summarisetexts, or help with drafting a paper. "Acknowledge this in your workwhen appropriate,"the universitysays. "Justasyou would citea bookor awebsite,giving creditto AIwhere applicable helpsmaintain transparency."

Bowie s life in the 1960s.

The announcement came as fansmark adecadesince Bowie s death atage 69 on Jan. 10, 2016, two days after the release ofhisfinal album, Blackstar. A decade on, Bowie’s cultural legacyin music,style anddesign continuestoinspire. His 90,000-item archive opened to the public lastyear atthe V&AMuseum'sDavid BowieCentre in east London. She said the idea of reinvention” that Bowie embodied remains inspiring today.

“We’reused topeople havingall sortsofdifferent personas and we celebrate it in a way thatit wasn’t celebrated back in the 1960s," she said. And hehelped pave the change.” George Underwood, a childhoodfriend, saidthat the housewas where “we spent so muchtime together, listening to and playing music.

Before Tourism, a Naturalist: Mark Catesby and the Bahamas

The Grand Bahama Museum

MARK CATESBY (1683–1749) was an English naturalist, artist, and early scientific illustrator whose work marked a turning point in how the Atlantic world was studied and understood. Long before the Bahamas were framed as a destination, they entered European consciousness through Catesby’s sustained field observations, careful illustrations, and methodical records. His work helped move natural history from curiosity toward direct evidence, comparison, and the emerging methods of Enlightenment science.

Catesby is best known for The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands (published in parts between 1729 and 1747). This work remains foundational in the history of natural science. The title itself was significant. It is the earliest published book to name the “Bahama Islands”, marking the islands’ formal entry into the scientific and literary record of the Enlightenment.

The volumes cover Bahamian birds, fish, reptiles, plants, and coastal landscapes, drawn from firsthand observation. In scope and ambition, the work represents the first systematic, illustrated natural history of the Bahamian environment. Circulating widely in Europe, it embedded the islands in scientific discourse rather than leaving them defined solely by navigation manuals, colonial reports, or travelers’ tales.

When Catesby began his work, European understanding of distant regions was primarily shaped by “cabinets of curiosities”—private collections of shells, dried plants, animal remains, and drawings gathered from across the colonial world. Caribbean materials were prized for their novelty and rarity and were often displayed without geographic or ecological context.

Catesby’s approach marked a clear departure. Rather than assembling marvels for display, he studied organisms in their natural habitats. He documented form, coloration, habitat, and behavior, and presented species as parts of functioning ecosystems.

Born into a prosperous English family in Castle Hedingham, Essex, Catesby developed an early interest in natural history within an intellectual culture shaped by figures such as John Ray, one of the founders of modern biology and taxonomy. In 1712, he sailed to Williamsburg, Virginia, accompanying his sister, and began collecting seeds and specimens. This early experience exposed him to both the promise and the challenges of fieldwork.

With later support from influential patrons, including Sir Hans Sloane and the botanist William Sherard, Catesby returned to the Americas between 1722 and 1726. On this second voyage, he traveled extensively through the Carolinas and the Bahamas, gathering notes and specimens that would form the basis of his life’s work. His project was ambitious: to document the natural world as it appeared rather than as it was imagined from afar.

Catesby arrived in the Bahamas in 1725, during the governorship of George Phenney. No personal letters from his Bahamian stay survive, but his published descriptions, surviving specimens, and watercolor studies provide strong evidence of sustained observation. A passage in The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands places him on a sloop off Andros Island in September of that year.

At the time, European understanding of the Bahamas relied largely on sailors’ accounts, rough charts, and secondhand descriptions. Catesby was part of a new generation of thinkers who believed nature should be understood through direct encounter. He observed birds, fish, reptiles, plants, and shorelines firsthand, noting how species related to one another and to their environments.

What set Catesby apart from many contemporaries was his insistence on accuracy and visual truth. He drew what he saw. Birds were painted in lifelike poses and placed among the plants they relied on. Fish were shown in relation to water rather than floating against blank backgrounds. Landscapes provided context rather than decoration.

He paid particular attention to colour, especially in Caribbean fishes, whose vivid hues faded quickly once removed from water. Catesby acknowledged this challenge explicitly, noting that some species lost their brilliance almost immediately. To counter it, he painted successive specimens while their coloration remained brilliant, replacing earlier examples as they dulled. This method preserved chromatic detail that could not be captured in preserved skins alone. These images astonished European audiences accustomed to faded specimens and monochrome engravings.

Catesby’sent dried specimens, seeds, and detailed descriptions back to Europe, where they entered cabinets of curiosities, early herbaria, and physic gardens. Over time, some of these plants were cultivated in botanical collections and, later, in heated glasshouses. In this way, Bahamian landscapes were incorporated into European scientific, medical, and social life.

Catesby’s work falls at a critical moment in the Enlightenment, when collecting was more than curiosity—it was a

way to name, order, and exert control over the natural world. Specimens, drawings, and written descriptions served as evidence that nature followed patterns that could be studied and explained. Knowledge traveled along the same routes as trade and empire. Plants gathered in the Bahamas could end up in English gardens; illustrations of Caribbean birds were discussed in London libraries and learned societies, including the Royal Society, to which Catesby was elected a Fellow in 1733.

Issued by subscription over nearly two decades, The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands circulated widely across Europe. By explicitly naming the Bahama Islands

in its title, Catesby underscored their scientific significance. His detailed, coloured illustrations provided reliable visual data at a time when formal classification systems were still developing. Later naturalists, most notably Carl Linnaeus, relied on observers such as Catesby to describe species from regions they had never visited, incorporating his observations into the foundations of scientific classification.

By the nineteenth century, as Victorian Britain developed a fascination with living plants in heated conservatories, the specimens and images Catesby helped introduce gained renewed relevance. From cabinets of curiosities to greenhouses and eventually to museums, his work marks a significant transformation in how nature was collected, displayed, and understood. Today, Catesby is recognised as a foundational figure in American and Caribbean natural history. His illustrations are held in major museums and libraries worldwide and continue to be studied by scientists and historians.

For the Bahamas, his importance is even more specific. He represents the first sustained scientific attention to the islands’ natural world, documenting birds, plants, and marine life long before tourism reshaped the landscape. Before the Bahamas became a destination, they became a subject of study—and through careful observation, disciplined recording, and skilled illustration, Mark Catesby helped the world see them with new clarity.