03032026 NEWS

WOMAN & HEALTH

TWO NEAR-MISSES

‘ALMOST CATASTROPHIC’

Family Island incidents trigger Serious Safety Concern Notice from aircraft investigation unit

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

TWO potentially catastrophic near-miss incidents involving American Airlines planes at Family Island airports triggered a formal safety warning from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority to the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas. The Tribune has

PAIR HELD OVER FRAUDULENT PASSPORT AND VOTER ID SCHEME

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune

Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN 18- YEAR-OLD Haitian man accused of fraudulently obtaining a Bahamian passport and voter’s card was remanded to prison yesterday after prosecutors said he used the document at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. Max Veve Pierre and Gersey Pierre, 59, are accused of agreeing on December 23, 2024, to fraudulently obtain a Bahamian passport. Prosecutors allege the

confirmed that the AAIA issued a Serious Safety Concern advisory following two separate incidents at Exuma International Airport and North Eleuthera International Airport, which occurred roughly two weeks apart last month. An American Airlines aircraft approaching Exuma on February 12 was forced to take evasive

Four-year-old boy shot in leg during attack on teenage uncle

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A FOUR-year-old boy was shot in the leg after a gunman opened fire at his uncle outside a home on New Providence, relatives said, turning a quiet yard filled with children into a scene of panic.

Romando Sactl was playing at his grandmother’s home on Verbena Street, off St George's Avenue, shortly before 3pm on Sunday when the shooting occurred. Police said two adult men were at the residence when they were approached by a third man, believed to be in his teens and known to them, dressed in dark clothing. Investigators said a verbal altercation followed. During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly produced a firearm. One of the men tried to disarm him but failed. The suspect then fired

Chamber urges swift release of $357m GBPA arbitration

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE outcome of the $357m Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) arbitration dispute must be swiftly disclosed to uphold business and investor confidence, it was argued yesterday, amid subtle hints the verdict may not have gone fully the

government’s way.

Dillon Knowles, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president, told Tribune Business that - given the decision’s importance for Freeport’s governance and future development - it was vital that both sides rapidly agree to release the outcome and any “conditions” attached because “investors abhor a vacuum and uncertainty”. He asserted: “Freeport’s governance is dependent on what the ruling is, what the conditions of the ruling are and, the sooner we know what the ruling is and conditions are, the better because investors abhor a vacuum and uncertainty.

PM declines to give details of ‘partial’ ruling in $357m GBPA arbitration

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip

“Brave” Davis said yesterday that an arbitration panel has issued a “partial” decision in the government’s high-stakes dispute with the Grand Bahama Port Authority but declined to disclose its substance, citing confidentiality.

The case centres on whether the GBPA owes the government $357m. The authority has previously said it “does not accept it owes $1 to the government out of that $357m”.

Mr Davis spoke amid

mounting speculation that the outcome of the proceedings is unfavourable to the Davis administration. He confirmed a ruling had been handed down but offered few details.

“The decision was a partial,” he said. “They have made a decision, and requiring the parties to do other things. But as I said, I cannot say anymore than that.”

Tensions between the government and the GBPA have intensified since 2023, when Mr Davis accused the authority of failing to maintain Freeport’s infrastructure and support the city’s development. The government has

argued that it is entitled to reimbursement for public services provided in Freeport when those costs exceed the tax revenues collected there. It has relied on section one, subclause five, of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which allows it to seek payment from the GBPA for providing “certain activities and services” if expenses surpass specified revenue streams generated in the city. In 2024, the government sent a demand letter to the GBPA, giving it 30 days to reimburse $357m said to be owed over the previous five fiscal years. Mr Davis warned at the time that the government would

commence arbitration if more than $300m was not paid within the deadline.

A three-member arbitration panel was convened for the proceedings, which were set to begin September 8 last year. Tribune Business previously reported that the panel was chaired by Sir Anthony Smellie KC, former chief justice of the Cayman Islands, alongside Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury and Dame Elizabeth Gloster.

The prime minister did not indicate when the remainder of the decision might be delivered or what practical steps the parties have been directed to take.

Davis declines comment on active officer in $10k bribery allegation

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis declined yesterday to comment on reports that a high-ranking police officer remains on active duty after allegedly receiving $10,000 in a Supreme Court bribery case involving voice notes and a $1.475m airport bank security heist. The Nassau Guardian reported last month

that Superintendent Terico Sweeting admitted receiving funds and is one of the prosecution’s key witnesses in the case.

The paper reported that the officer was granted immunity.

Eyewitness News, meanwhile, reported last week Mr Sweeting remains a serving police officer. No information has been disclosed about any internal review or administrative action. “I wouldn’t comment

on the matter because it’s before the court,” Mr Davis said yesterday.

The case centres on former Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, attorney Bjorn Ferguson and Police Sergeant 3726 Deangelo Rolle, who have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged bribery and theft scheme connected to the November 2023 airport bank car robbery.

In 2024, voice notes

circulated publicly, purporting to capture a quid-pro-quo arrangement involving a senior police officer, a lawyer and two men — Michael Fox Jr and Dino Smith — in relation to the heist.

Fox Jr and Smith, both now deceased, were suspects in the robbery but were never charged. Two other men, Oral Roberts and Akeil Holmes, were charged. Mr Roberts was killed in Fox Hill last year.

PM says rent control bill unlikely to reach parliament before upcoming general election

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

RENT control legislation is unlikely to reach Parliament before the next general election, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday, signalling that one of the government’s most closely watched housing pledges may slip beyond its current term.

Mr Davis said the government is still examining how to make rents more reasonable, but cautioned that formal legislation may not come in time.

“I don't think you'll see any legislation in respect to rental and the costs of rental coming before the election, but we are looking into how we can ensure that rentals are reasonable to persons who want to rent homes,” he told repoters, adding that the central

challenge is that rental agreements are private contracts between landlords and tenants, limiting the state’s room to intervene directly in pricing.

“All we can do is set and regulate in a way that we assure that what is being rented, for example, is fit for rental, regulating the context that the value of the home is commensurate to what the rent might be,”

Mr Davis said. “Those are some things we might be able to do.”

His comments come as housing affordability has become a pressing concern, with families squeezed by rising rents and modest wage growth. An International Monetary Fund report found that rents in The Bahamas increased by 14 percent between 2012 and 2022, while average wages rose by just two percent over the same period.

Mr Davis also pointed to

the rapid growth of shortterm vacation rentals as a factor driving up longterm housing costs.

“They're letting their homes to visitors,” he said. “We don't have enough hotel rooms. We're working on developing more hotel rooms to ensure that Airbnb, yes, they could flourish, but not flourish to the detriment of the local residents who would wish to be renting.”

The government has previously indicated that tenancy reform was a priority before the end of its term. In June, Housing Minister Keith Bell said draft legislation was being prepared that “would strike the delicate balance” between landlords' and tenants’ rights.

Yesterday, Mr Bell said the issue remains both topical and controversial. He said the government has met with the Law Reform

Commission and is working closely with Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis, who has responsibility for the area, to bring the legislation forward.

He said tenants often negotiate from a weaker position in a tight rental market.

“Tenants are in an inferior bargaining position, and while they are open to some level of compromise in terms of wanting to move into a premise, we want to ensure that the premise remains tenable, the rent remains affordable, and the place remains in a state where anyone fit for human habitation,” he said.

Mr Bell said landlords have so far been receptive to discussions. He added that consultations with landlords and the wider community will take place before any bill is tabled in Parliament.

‘It’s like being afraid and angry at the same time’

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A FOUR-year-old boy was shot in the leg after a gunman opened fire at his uncle outside a home on New Providence, relatives said, turning a quiet yard filled with children into a scene of panic.

Romando Sactl was playing at his grandmother’s home on Verbena Street, off St George’s Avenue, shortly before 3pm on Sunday when the shooting occurred. Police said two adult men were at the residence when they were approached by a third man, believed to be in his teens and known to them, dressed in dark clothing.

Investigators said a verbal altercation followed. During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly produced a firearm. One of the men tried to disarm him but failed. The suspect then fired several shots in their direction, with one of the bullets grazing Romando’s leg.

Officers found the boy with his parents when they arrived. He was later treated in hospital for a gunshot wound to his lower right leg and has since been discharged.

His mother, Nelline Sactl, said she was cooking at home when she received a call from the child’s grandmother, who told her a gunman had opened fire while

pursuing the toddler’s uncle. Romando and other children ran from the yard as shots rang out. Ms Sactl and her fiancé rushed to the scene, just a few blocks away. She said the thought of losing her only child left her shaken. When The Tribun e spoke to her yesterday, Romando could be heard laughing and playing in the background.

“It’s like a mixed feeling of being afraid and angry at the same time,” she told The Tribune. “I’m trying not to be angry but trying to be there for my son at the same time.”

“Y’all could have picked anywhere to do this, I know y’all see the kids in the yard. To know that you didn’t have the conscience to think about what could happen or who could get hit, really upset me.”

She praised the police for their swift response and said officers later informed her that a suspect is in custody.

Police said after the shooting, the two men fled east along George Street, while the suspect fled west along Peach Street.

Romando’s grandmother, Adeline Atilos, said the gunman was targeting her 16-year-old son, who was also outside at the time. She said the teenager’s friend tried to disarm the suspect before shots were fired.

Ms Atilos said she was in the kitchen when she heard the first shot. The children

FILE photo of a police cordoned off crime scene in 2024. ran to her in panic, and she rushed them into her bedroom to hide.

When The Tribune visited, she sat near an old chair pierced by a bullet. Rubbing her head, she

said she has not been able to sleep or think clearly since the incident and thanked God for protecting her son. Asked why her 16-year-old son was

targeted, Ms Atilos said the two young men had recently been involved in an altercation and used to attend school together. She said she is unsure why they are at

odds and urged both to change course.

“If y’all fight for a girl, punch it out, and y’all could walk away. If y’all fight for gun, it’s death,” she stressed.

Seven students charged over viral high school brawl

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

SEVEN students have been charged after a violent brawl at Doris Johnson Senior High School that was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, police said yesterday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Chaswell Hanna said the students faced charges related to disorderly behaviour, causing harm and fighting.

The footage, which sparked public outrage, shows a chaotic scene on campus as a group of boys exchange blows. At one point, a student lifts and throws a chair at another in an apparent attempt to strike him. The confrontation then shifts into a separate one-on-one fight. In that exchange, a student picks up a rock and hits another in the head. Other students are heard shouting as the incident unfolds, with profanity audible throughout the recording.

Police said injuries were minor, consisting of scrapes and cuts treated by the school nurse.

ACP Hanna said officers are working with education officials and school safety partners to prevent further incidents.

“We continue to work with the school safety stakeholders including the Ministry of Education, school resource officers and other stakeholders in that matter and to prevent future incidents from occurring,” he said.

He added that while criminal charges may follow depending on the severity of an incident, alternative interventions remain available.

“We give school students an opportunity to redeem themselves by participating in the programme that seeks to correct the behaviour rather than getting them exposed to the criminal justice system,” he said. “So with the consent of parents we have students placed in that programme and it has been successful with most cases in the past and if some other intervention is required we do just that.”

He also pushed back against suggestions that the school was placed on lockdown.

“When you hear the word lockdown, people think that it's some kind of, you know, a serious matter whereas students are in jeopardy, but that’s not the case,” he said. “We don't like to use that word. I don’t think it's an appropriate word to use, but following the incident, all of the school administrative staff brought the school under control so I wouldn't describe it as school being on lockdown. School is always controlled but you always have these incidents from time to time where students have to be dealt with.”

Director of Education Dominique McCartney-Russell said the matter remains under investigation.

“I am advised that several students involved were suspended to REFOCUS centers and will participate in restorative initiatives,” she said. “The principal advised that several parent conferences continued today, and other consequences would be meted out.”

A BLURRY video of a violent brawl circulated on social media showing a chaotic scene on campus as a group of boys exchange blows. At one point, a student lifts and throws a chair at another in an apparent attempt to strike him. The confrontation then shifts into a separate one-on-one fight. In that exchange, a student picks up a rock and hits another in the head. Other students are heard shouting as the incident unfolds, with profanity audible throughout the recording.

Commission launches three years after Protection Against Violence Act gazetted

THE government has formally appointed the Protection Against Violence Commission, activating a key enforcement body under the Protection Against Violence Act, 2023, nearly three years after the law was gazetted.

The appointments took effect February 1, 2026, according to a press release issued after a press conference that was not open to the media.

The Act was designed to strengthen protections for women, children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. With the Commission now installed, officials say the law moves from policy to execution.

At the event, Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting Myles LaRoda framed violence as a threat not only to people but to national stability.

“Each of us can speak to the love of a mother, grandmother, or mother figure who shaped our lives,” he said. “When she is harmed, the family is harmed. When the family is harmed, the community weakens. And when communities weaken, national progress is compromised.”

He said the Commission gives institutional force to the Act, converting legislative intent into coordinated action. Referencing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, he argued that social development cannot advance without elevating women to equal status and strengthening families as the core unit of society.

Marisa Mason-Smith, chair of the newly appointed Commission, said the body will now shift from strategy to implementation. She credited earlier contributors, including Dr RubyAnn Nottage, Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson, Dr Robin Roberts and other experts who developed the National Strategic

Plan to Address Gender-Based Violence. She also cited Jewel Major and her team in the Office of the Attorney General, who led the legislative drafting process.

“Today,” Mrs Mason-Smith noted, “we move from planning to purposeful execution. The experts have laid the groundwork. The legislation is in place. Now we will implement with resolve to eliminate violence and protect our people.”

Co-Chair Pastor David Burrows described the challenge as generational.

“The problem is expansive and difficult to correct,” he said. “But when we inform, educate, and reach our people — when we give direction to the upcoming generation so they do not fall into the patterns of previous generations — we create impact. And when we create impact on lives, we have done our duty.”

Desiree Clarke, representing the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, said people living with disabilities are often more susceptible to violence and exploitation. She stressed the need

for protection strategies to be inclusive by design and said disability inclusion must remain central to the Commission’s mandate.

Dr Roslyn Astwood of the Bahamas Christian Council said the Commission’s work must be grounded in moral accountability and compassion, while Deputy Director of Culture Portia Sands said confronting violence strengthens rather than undermines Bahamian identity by reinforcing respect for family and communal responsibility. According to the release, the

Department of Gender and Family Affairs, led by Director Sharmie Farrington, will carry out the Commission’s administrative functions, including coordination and oversight.

The government described the Commission as a whole-of-society mechanism rooted in law, strategy, culture and faith. Its mandate centres on protecting women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people, which officials said is essential to the strength of families and communities across The Bahamas.

from page one

pair secured a passport in Max’s name from the Passport Office on February 3, 2025. Authorities further allege that Max uttered the fraudulent passport at the Parliamentary Registry on January 23 to obtain a Bahamian voter’s card. He is also accused of presenting the same passport to immigration officers at LPIA on February 24, where the alleged scheme unravelled.

Max was charged with three counts of possession of a false document, two counts of uttering a false document and fraud by false pretences.

Both men face additional charges of fraud by false pretences and conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences. The accused, both construction workers, pleaded not guilty before Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs.

They were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until their trial begins on May 21. Inspector Timothy Bain was the prosecutor.

AAIA probes near misses at Family Island airports

SAFETY from page one

action to avoid a departing plane, according to a report referenced by US federal regulators.

The sudden manoeuvre injured two flight attendants, who were taken to a local clinic for evaluation. Both were placed on leave.

A second incident occurred on February 24 at North Eleuthera. An American Airlines aircraft was reportedly in position for takeoff when another jet passed overhead while it was still on the runway.

The inbound or overhead aircraft were not included in the report.

The Serious Safety Concern notice, obtained by The Tribune, informed the CAAB that preliminary information suggests proper communication protocols at the uncontrolled aerodromes may not have been followed. It said American Airlines reported that neither aircraft self-announced its position on the correct frequency, a requirement under international aviation standards for airports without control towers.

“As any one of these events could have easily resulted in catastrophic consequences, the AAIA finds it necessary to forward these events to your attention as a Serious Safety Concern,” the notice said.

“By issuing this Serious Safety Concern to you as the State Regulator, the AAIA, in accordance

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with its mandate, is identifying and highlighting an existing hazard within our local aviation system that requires attention.”

AAIA Chief Investigator Kendall Dorsett Jr confirmed yesterday that both incidents remain under investigation and that the advisory was issued to the CAAB. “Anytime we observe something within the

Aviation Safety Hazard & Risks

“...The lack of live flight tracking within Miami Oceanic (referring to Bahamas sovereign airspace) creates a safety hazard in that flights blindly operating through areas known for significant convection and other adverse weather events” as the air traffic controllers at FAA’s Miami’s ARTCC have little to NO advanced real-time meteorological services across The Bahamas ‘territory’”

2016 FAA Eastern Regional Task Group’s report entitled: “Recommendations to Improve Operations in the Caribbean”

local aviation industry that is hazardous or could be a potential hazard, we have an obligation to mention this to the Civil Aviation Authority,” he said.

He said the agencies work closely on aviation safety and determined the matter warranted formal notification.

The AAIA acknowledged that operations at busy uncontrolled aerodromes require heightened responsibility from pilots. It said awareness must be raised to implement short-term safety measures while longer-term operational and infrastructural improvements are considered.

Airport workers, speaking anonymously, told The Tribune that such incidents are not uncommon at Family Island airports, most of

Michael Strachan, Chief Operating Officer of the Bahamas Aviation, Climate & Severe Weather Network (BACSWN), said: “These incidences highlight the need for the overhaul of the civil aviation sector and we are proud to be working with the local regulatory authority on providing upgraded infrastructure at all of these airports which will provide the safe passage of flights.

“We are happy to be working with our international and local counterparts to see where we can source and place equipment that would greatly reduce the risk factors of these types of incidents happening again, especially in our uncontrolled airports.”

which lack functional control towers or air traffic controllers. Mr Dorsett Jr declined to confirm whether reports of near misses have increased, but said: “We are notified of these events when they occur. I’ll leave it at that.”

He noted that airports operating without control towers are common worldwide, including in the United States, and that pilots are responsible for announcing their positions and intentions

at such facilities.

“Consider trying to put our air traffic tower at every airport around the world,” he said. “That’s impossible, so like I said, it’s a standard procedure, because even in the United States, not every airport has a control tower. That’s not feasible in every instance, but the counter is that pilots are aware of procedures at an uncontrolled airport.”

Officials from the CAAB did not respond to requests for comment

up to press time. In the past, the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Eastern Regional Task Group has issued recommendations to ‘Improve Operations in the Caribbean.’

“...The lack of live flight tracking within Miami Oceanic (referring to Bahamas sovereign airspace) creates a safety hazard in that flights blindly operating through areas known for significant convection and other adverse weather events,” an FAA Eastern Regional Task Group 2016 report stated, acknowledging that air traffic controllers at FAA’s Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) have little or no advanced real-time meteorological services across The Bahamas ‘territory.’

Family launches GoFundMe for Spanish sailor who went missing off Abaco

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

NEARLY six months after Spanish-American sailor Miguel Campoy vanished off South Abaco, his family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to finance private investigators, satellite analysis and legal action in a bid to uncover what happened at sea. The campaign, organised by relatives, seeks to raise €18,000. As of press time, €5,932 had been collected from 90 donors.

Mr Campoy, 56, disappeared on September 6 after departing South Abaco that morning aboard his 44-foot bluehulled sailboat, Hella. His last contact with family came around 6pm, when he reported calm seas and said the journey was taking longer than expected. He was reported missing the following day. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the United States Coast Guard launched search operations. The Coast Guard later suspended its search in line with protocol. The RBDF indicated efforts could shift to recovery, citing the time elapsed and slim chances of survival.

Only Mr Campoy’s support dinghy has been recovered. It was found with his personal belongings inside, including

identification documents. No confirmed debris from the sailboat itself has been publicly reported. The fundraising page states that the family financed private searches by sea and air after official efforts ended, straining their resources. It says those resources are now “increasingly limited”. According to the page, satellite imaging and maritime traffic tracking were used to analyse vessel

movement in the area when contact was lost. The analysis suggested that a vessel transited through the same area at roughly the relevant time. The family said authorities were informed but that it has not been possible to establish contact with the vessel’s captain or shipping company.

Miriam Campoy, the sailor’s sister, said the family is not accusing any vessel of wrongdoing but

believes it is reasonable to determine whether anyone in the vicinity saw anything unusual.

The page also states that attempts to obtain data from Mr Campoy’s telephone service provider and phone manufacturer to determine the last use and location of his mobile device have not succeeded. It adds that neither Spanish nor Bahamian authorities have been able to secure that information.

Ms Campoy said the family is now seeking

legal representation in the United States to pursue a court order to access mobile phone records and last known location data.

While expressing appreciation for the courtesy shown by Bahamian officials, she said resource constraints may have limited the investigation.

“They were really nice with me. I’m not saying they weren’t. But they got no resource, basically.

That’s what they told me, ” she said. The campaign states that funds will be used

exclusively to continue search and investigative efforts and to clarify the circumstances of Mr Campoy’s disappearance. A monetary reward is being offered for accurate information or verifiable proof of life.

Ms Campoy dismissed suggestions that her brother staged his disappearance.

“No,” she said. “He didn’t have any reason why to. He had a nice family and nice friends, and he was waiting to meet his friends two days later.”

The Tribune Limited

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Why the secretive launch of violence commission?

IF a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Similarly, if a press conference is not open to the media, is there anything to hear?

That is the peculiar situation we find ourselves in with the announcement of the appointments to the Protection Against Violence Commission – long overdue as they are.

The news came through a press release, issued after a press conference that was not open to the media. We are not sure how it can be a press conference with no press, but it fits in with the pattern of reticence over the creation of this commission.

It is nearly three years since the Protection Against Violence Act 2023 was enacted, and The Tribune has asked many times about the progress of establishing the commission.

The commission is important because it plays a key role in enforcement under the act. The lack of the commission has been considered to be a hindrance to the full implementation of the act, which itself faced criticism for having been a dilution of legislation tackling gender violence.

It would liaise with police officers when victims feel they are lacking full cooperation, and crucially it would recommend a national plan to combat and respond to violence. The path to a less violent society is in the hands of the members of this commission.

The commission will also be the central body coordinating national efforts to tackle gender-based violence. That will include monitoring data, managing shelters, and making sure victims get the support and protection under the law that they need.

Last July, Social Services Minister Myles LaRoda said talks were underway to roll out the commission “soon”. Soon came, soon went.

In October, he did give another deadline, however, saying that the commission would be in place before the next general election. It appears it has made that deadline – just.

The delays have led to repeated calls for progress. In July last year, Bahamas Crisis Centre (BCC) director Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson said that the commission was “critical”, adding: “There should be letters to the newspapers every day, there should be calls to the talk shows every day. What are we doing?”

The chair of the new commission is Marisa Mason-Smith, who

A

EDITOR, The Tribune.

WATCHING Eye Witness News. I never heard so much b/s in my life. Of late, the latest is the four-star restaurant in the upcoming terminal on Potters Cay. These people have any

has held roles including chair of the National Women’s Advisory Board, ombudsman at the University of The Bahamas, a leading voice at Zonta, and has been part of debates on marital rape in the past, a topic that the government has shown no inclination on pursuing to pass legislation.

The co-chair is Pastor David Burrows, a prominent figure in the religious community in The Bahamas and beyond.

Mrs Mason-Smith has said “now we will implement with resolve to eliminate violence and protect our people”.

The time for waiting was done a long time ago. It is time now to act.

We have seen in recent days how essential that action is. The sheer number of cases of children suffering from abuse that had been referred to the Crisis Centre in January and February - 26 cases in two months alone as well as nearly 3,000 domestic violence and serious crime matters in January alone facing the police – show this is a matter of national importance.

Mr LaRoda himself has said as much. He said: “When the family is harmed, the community weakens. And when communities weaken, national progress is compromised.”

We agree. It is time to shine a spotlight on abusers, and give them nowhere to hide. It is time to put in place the support networks the abused need to find a way out of the situations in which they find themselves trapped. It is time to change the law where necessary to prevent gender violence.

All the stranger then that, after all this time, after all this waiting, after all the questions of when this commission would be in place, the commission should be unveiled with no media present.

The lack of answers has caused enough scepticism over the past near-three years, announcing the commission with no chance for the media to ask questions risks casting doubt over its mission and the determination with which it will carry out its mandate.

It seems like a false start. It is up to the commission now to dispel that doubt, and show the country that it means business.

It has met the pre-election deadline, now let us see what it achieves before the prime minister rings the bell.

clue in operating a four star establishment? May I suggest you Stay in your lane, DON’T embarrass yourself!!! By the way can someone out there tell me where there is a four-star restaurant in the Bahamas? We are talking

Beware of the sweet talk of politicians

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS we embark on this silly political season, there will be a lot of promises made by candidates and parties as they seek to solicit support of the voters. Many of these candidates are incumbents and should have some sort of track record to be judged by while some are newbies to frontline politics, but should still have a track record of community and civic involvement and/or achievements. Do not be fooled by fluff, sweet talk and impossible promises. If a candidate has done little to nothing during their existing term, with no major obstructions, distractions or disasters, chances are they will do the same this time around, little or nothing.

The world is ever changing and as a small Nation, we must be prepared, equipped and ready for forward movement. Change is constant, but not always readily accepted. We must ask some tough questions and be willing to accept the answers, even if it is not what we wish to hear.

Prime Minister Davis was recently asked by a reporter to name something that he has done during this administration that he is proud of and will be a part of his legacy. His response was shocking and unbelievable and left me with my jaw hanging. The PM said he fed a million children. Well, blow me down. Our population is just over 400 thousand, but he fed a million children. While some of us will understand that perhaps he meant a million meals, personally I do not see that as a notable achievement because as PM, the well-being of his citizenry is his responsibility. Secondly, it was not his brainchild or initiative, but merely something he met on the drawing board from the previous administration. As a matter of fact, hot breakfast and meal plans were already in the system for pre-schools and kindergarten children, but the larger scale of this initiative formed a part of the campaign promises of the former administration.

On the other hand, PM Davis and his team promised Free Electricity and we are still waiting as the world turns. They cancelled what was in place to relieve the high cost of electricity and we all know the rest of the story. They promised relief to the middleand lower-income class and

LETTERS

then implemented VAT on bread basket items and baby and feminine products, medicine and other necessary items. There was no relief. Unpaid wages, questionable contracts, no accountability, no transparency and in some cases, no integrity. Bahamians were promised a lot of fluff and the impossible dream. Many ministers have become frequent flyers, adding up the air miles, while the ordinary Bahamian struggles to get from point A to B without reliable transportation. Rather than completing projects that were approved and on the drawing board, his administration scrapped them, only to start no bid contracts and other unnecessary borrowing. The hospital and clinics are in deplorable conditions, understaffed, poorly equipped and lack of needed medications, yet he has, against wisdom, chosen to build a specialty hospital on marsh land that will require staffing and specialists. If we cannot adequately staff the existing facilities and provide the necessary care, how do we fathom taking on another facility? Are we expected to staff this hospital and our clinics with imported labor from Africa, the Philippines and elsewhere? We must not be afraid to ask these questions. We must insist on real answers. Don’t listen to the noise in the market and the sweet talk. It must make sense.

The Prime Minister has also said, in a circulated video about progress, that he protected jobs while the world was shutting down. This is such a lie and delusional statement as he and his party were in opposition and it was the former FNM Minnis led Administration that kept civil servants employed and gave financial assistance to others in the private sector.

We must call it the way it is. The PLP campaigned in 2021 that the FNM locked Bahamians down and violated their constitutional rights and now they are campaigning that they protected jobs while the world was being locked down. How convenient now to say that it was the world and not

just the Bahamas, and that they did it.

The Community Centres that have been opened in various constituencies were approved and funded by the IDB under the past administration and were specifically built in areas that were considered “Hot Spots” as an alternative to “hanging on the blocks” and a means to aid in safer communities. These were not Davis PLP projects. Yes, it is silly season and everyone is selling a pitch. This is examination time for all incumbents. Do not give them passing marks if they are failing. You are the employer and they are your employees. How well are they performing? How well did they carry out their mandate? Do not make the mistake of comparing the accomplishments of the leaders of the parties… only one is a PM and only he can be graded as such. Remember the broken promises, the failed ventures, the strikes, the protests, the high cost of living, the difficulty of obtaining small business licenses, the unauthorised use of Treasury funds for pleasure travel, the no bid contracts. Remember the failure to discipline team members when citizenship was issued at a funeral, and the lack of integrity. Remember all the lies about deals to sell the hotel that continue to fall through. Remember all the “Business trips for investments” that have not produced any investments. Remember the influx of immigrants that are given more rights than Bahamians. Just take a quiet moment, reflect, remember and rate their performances. This election is not a “heart” election, but rather a “head” one. We as Bahamians must use our head and not get caught up in the frenzy and emotions of grill-outs, shirts, and freebies. We must put selfishness on the shelf and look out for the sovereignty of the nation. We are a Nation that is slowly slipping away. We are losing our identity and soon may have to speak Creole or Mandarin just to survive. Think carefully. May God have mercy on us and bless our Bahamaland VANESSA A SCOTT, JP Nassau, Bahamas February 22, 2026.

Four Star??? Tavern on the green one of the top restaurants in New York City. I will give them a three star rating just my opinion!

KELLY D BURROWS Freeport, Grand Bahama February 27, 2026.

EDITOR, The Tribune. NO one in their right mind would dispute the well-established claim that veteran journalist Shenique Miller is very talented in her profession. She is well-versed, bold, savvy and at times, controversial. She was the perfect shoo-in for Clint Watson as host of the Island Luck TV flagship talk show Beyond the Headlines. While Island Luck TV is a privately owned media enterprise, Miller can help to boost ratings for her program by at least pretending to be impartial towards the Free National Movement and its Leader Michael Pintard.

Some weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to see Miller reading the announcements at Pastor Rickeno Moncur’s Revolution Church on a live YouTube stream. I was elated to know that Miller is a member of the body of Christ, based on her being an active member of a thriving community of believers in Nassau. As a Christian, Miller would be familiar with the biblical importance of having proper weights and balances (Proverbs 11:1). In a nutshell, King Solomon was saying that as members of God’s covenant community, we must be impartial and fair in our estimation of others. In addition to commercial transactions, this biblical injunction must also apply to politics, journalism and in every other discipline. In my estimation, Miller has failed to meet this biblical standard as host of Beyond the Headlines. Beyond the Headlines has morphed into a safe haven for ex-FNMs to hang out with Miller as they vent their venom for the opposition party and Pintard. Ex-FNMs like Cassius Stuart are regular panelists who seem to have an ax to grind with the Pintard-led FNM. If Miller and her Beyond the Headlines producers are looking for objective analyses from people like Stuart, they’re wasting their time. Stuart and others come off as bitter and resentful towards the FNM. And they are blatant with it for good measure. I read somewhere that Stuart was one of those vying for the FNM Central and South Eleuthera candidacy in 2025. The Pintard regime opted to go with Philippa Kelly. Pintard is where Stuart wanted to be. In 2012, Stuart was entertaining the idea of running for the FNM Deputy Leadership but ended up pulling out the race. Maybe these two unfortunate events are why Stuart seems to have a gripe with the current FNM leadership. Miller seems to relish the thought of constantly pounding on the opposition party. When she attempts to offer a counter argument to those spewing political venom towards the FNM, it comes off as disingenuous. Miller’s Beyond

the Headlines is a case study on how not to represent the opposing side. Her show is now considered a propaganda tool by those looking for balance, nuance and objectivity. It leads one to speculate if Miller is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her predecessor. Miller’s actions bring to mind CNN’s Dana Bash, whose hate for US President Donald Trump and the Republican Party is an open secret. The current approach by Beyond the Headlines producers, directors and its lead anchor is counterproductive to boosting ratings and increasing viewership. This is a poor marketing strategy in a nation politically polarised. As it stands right now, Miller those seem to be only interested in appealing to their anti-FNM base. The show is an echo chamber where a group of ex-FNMs have the unfettered latitude and platform to beat up on Pintard without a capable pro-FNM panelist that can offer a counter argument. At the current trajectory Beyond the Headlines is on, the show will continue hemorrhaging viewers. I am not asking Miller to sing the praises of Pintard or the FNM. What I am asking for is fairness.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama February 26, 2026.

Man remanded to prison for Harbour Island double murder

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD man accused of gunning down two men outside a Harbour Island bar last month was remanded to prison yesterday.

Prosecutors allege

Samson Joseph fatally shot Khristen “Tum Tum” Francis and Michael Reckley shortly after midnight on February 23 outside Sammy’s Bar in Harbour Island, Eleuthera.

The victims, both in their 30s, were standing outside the bar when the defendant, dressed in black, allegedly approached and opened fire.

Francis, a local waiter

who was on bail for murder at the time, was pronounced dead at the island’s clinic. Reckley, a father of a young girl and an autistic boy, died at the scene. Witnesses told his family that his last words were to tell his wife he loved her.

Residents said the men had stepped outside moments earlier. Francis told friends he was going out to smoke. Reckley stood beside him. Seconds later, witnesses heard about seven shots. Patrons rushed outside and found both men lying on the ground. Francis had been charged in connection with the shooting death of Drew Storr in Eleuthera on November 28, 2021.

Relatives described him as humble, cheerful and hospitable.

Joseph was not required to enter a plea to two counts of murder before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley. aHe was informed that the case would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment. He was also told he has the right to apply for bail in the higher court.

Joseph was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until July 23, when the voluntary bill of indictment is to be served.

Damian Gomez represented the defendant. Inspector Deon Barr was the prosecutor.

$3,000 fine for gun part and marijuana found in closet

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 34-YEAR-OLD man was fined $3,000 yesterday after admitting police found a gun component and marijuana hidden in his bedroom closet during a pre-dawn search. Police said officers discovered a black auto sear and five ounces of marijuana

inside a Nike bag in Angerneko Cartwright’s bedroom closet on Major Alley at about 2.30am on February 26. Cartwright pleaded guilty before Magistrate Lennox Coleby to possession of a component part of firm and possession of dangerous drugs.

After Cartwright accepted sole responsibility, charges against

REPRESENTATIVES of the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, and the Department of Gender Family Affairs, in collaboration with the National Women’s Advisory Council along with sponsors of the National Women’s Symposium, attended religious services on Sunday morning at Christ Church Cathedral in observance of upcoming International Women’s Day on March 8 under the theme, ‘Give To Gain: Empowering and Strengthening Justice for all.’

Among those in attendance were Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles and Dame Anita Allen, former Justice and Law Reform Commissioner.

The National Women’s Symposium was held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Bahamas Harvest Church, and featured panel discussions on finance, mental health and wellness, parenting and mentoring, ending gender-based violence, and legal matters, all free of charge to audiences.

his co-accused, Santario Vasquez, 34, were withdrawn.

Cartwright was fined $1,500 for the firearm offence or nine months in prison in default. He was fined an additional $1,500 for the drug charge or 12 months in default.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie was the prosecutor.

Woman awaiting murder retrial jailed 12 months for bail breach

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 40-YEAR-OLD woman awaiting retrial for the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend was sentenced to 12 months in prison yesterday after breaching her bail conditions.

Yacintha Miller failed to

Miller pleaded guilty to violating her bail conditions before Magistrate Lennox Coleby and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie was the prosecutor.

sign in at her local police station for 77 days between September 1, 2025 and February 25, prosecutors said. Miller is awaiting retrial for the murder of Lesly Minnis, who was allegedly fatally stabbed in the chest in Pinewood Gardens on October 19, 2021. In May 2024, Justice Jeannine Weech Gomez ordered a retrial after jurors were unable to reach a verdict.

Reinvigoration with purpose: Rubio, CARICOM, and the work of diplomacy

WHENMarco Rubioar-

rivedinSt. Kittstoaddress theHeads ofGovernmentof the CaribbeanCommunity, CARICOM,he didsoonly hours afterattending President Trump s Stateofthe UnionaddressinWashington. Thespeechendedlate.Before dawn, he was onhis way to theCaribbean.Thatmatters.

Secretariesof Statedonot lightly compress regional diplomacyintoanalreadydemandingschedule. Hisdecision to attendsignalled respectforCARICOM scollectiveinvitationandrecognition

that the Caribbeanis not marginal inWashington s hemispheric priorities.It also demonstrated continuedcommitmentto directengagement. Inhis publicremarks,SecretaryRubio spokeplainly abouttransnational crime,illegalmigration,energyopportunity, andthe stabilisationof Venezuela under interim authorities led byDelcyRodríguez. He referenced the reopeningoftheUSEmbassyin Caracas and made clear that democratic elections remain theultimatemeasureoflegitimacy.His pointwasstraightforward: astronger, safer Caribbean strengthens the United States.There would havebeennoquarrelwithany ofthat.

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

Onsecurity,thereisalsono disagreement. Thecriminal organisations that exploit Caribbeanwaters andtransit routes threatenboth USand CARICOM societies.Drug trafficking, arms flows, and gang networks undermine governancefrom Haitito Miami. Closer intelligence cooperation and maritime coordinationare sharednecessities.

On migration,Secretary Rubioemphasised thatthe UnitedStates isconductinga global review ofits migration and visa policies, expected to concludebythe endofJune. For CARICOMcountries, access toUSvisas isnotaperipheralmatter.Itaffectsbusiness travel, family connections,tourism flows,education,andlongstandingpeopleto-people ties.Any restrictions are, therefore, felt quickly andwidely across Caribbeansocieties.

Caribbean governments have consistently accepted theirown nationalswhoare

Funeral Service For

Louis Leonard Marcian Sawyer, 72

a resident of Bueno Retiro Road, New Providence, Bahamas will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 11:00a.m. at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, East Shirley Street, New Providence. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Cremation was held prior to service

He was predeceased by his parents: William Albert Sawyer and Victoria Josephine Armaly and Gerarda Sawyer

He is survived by his wife: Dawn Marie; sons: Timothy Brown (Gaynor), Marcian Sawyer (Sasha Wallace), and Nathaneal Chung; former wife: Robin Sawyer; grandchildren: Ginger, Isabell and Scarlett; siblings: Donna Sawyer, Shamille Sawyer, and Anthony Sawyer, (Renee); nieces and nephews: Tara, Geoffrey, Brent, Janette, Jennifer, William, Alec, Julie and Jackie; many extended family including aunts, uncles cousins and godchildren. There will be no Viewing

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Butlers’ Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ernest and York Streets, New Providence, Bahamas.

deported from the United States. The difficulty arises whensmallstatesareencouraged toaccept non-nationals without definedlimits or shared responsibility.For large countries, numbers may bemanageable. Forsmallislandand coastalstateswith limitedfiscal spaceandinvestigative reach, even modestnumbers cancarry disproportionatesocialandfinancialimpact.

It is understood thatsome CARICOM states have already enteredsuch arrangements. Whatremains essential, however,is thatany frameworkacross theregion be basedon clarity,reciprocity, defined limits, and respectfor sovereigndecision-making. Caribbean governments will follow the outcome ofthe USreview closely andwill engageconstructivelyonce itsparametersareknown.

Energy andregional stability formed the second major theme of the Secretary’sremarks.Developments inVenezuela werepresented asashiftfromimmediatestabilisation to recovery. Caribbean governments will judgethatprogressbyresults. If Venezuelamoves toward durablelegitimacy andreduces regional instability, the entirebasinbenefits.Ifuncertaintyreturns, itseffectswill againbewidelyfelt.

Cuba,though absentfrom the Secretary s formal plenaryremarks,waspartofprivatediscussions.

Subsequent reportingconfirmsthat USofficialsclose

to the Secretarymetprivately inSt. KittswithRaúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandsonand closeaideto former Cubanleader Raúl Castro. Thatmeeting confirms that discussionsbetween Washingtonand Havanaare active.

Reports suggest that the United Statesis exploringa phased easing ofsanctions in exchangefor incrementaleconomic and governance changes. Secretary Rubio has indicatedpublicly thatthe UnitedStates ispreparedto listenif Cubanauthoritiesare willingtoundertakesignificant economic reforms that expand privateenterprise andopen spaceforbroaderfreedoms.

This moment differs from earlier periods of strain. Cuba facessevereeconomiccontraction,energyshortages,andhumanitarian pressure. Regional energydynamics arealso shifting. Insuch circumstances, steadyengagement may yield more than isolation alone.

It is further understood that discussions are underway regarding energy arrangements that could allow Venezuelan oiltoreachCubathroughcontrolledchannels, easingtheislandsacute pressures.These negotiations remainsensitive and incomplete. But they reflect recognitionthat collapse in Cuba wouldcarry consequences for the wider Caribbean,particularly inmigrationandregionalstability.

CARICOM governments havelong advocateddialogue ratherthan ruptureindealing withCuba. Publicstatements byregionalleadersemphasised de-escalation, reform, and stability. Theindication that Washington ispursuing quiet engagement was therefore notedwith interestand,in many quarters,with cautious welcome.

The broadersignificance of

themeeting isclear.The Caribbeanis Americas immediate neighbourhood. Trade flows in both directions. Migrationbindsfamilies.Security threatsmove acrossmaritime space without regard to borders.

TheUnited Statesseekssecure borders,stable neighbours, andresilient economic ties. CARICOMstates seek growth,climate resilience,and protectionagainsttransnational crime.Theseaimsintersect. If reinvigoration means deeper securitycooperation, structured andlawful migration arrangements, investment that integrates Caribbean economiesintoresilientsupply chains,and pragmaticengagementto reduceinstabilityin Venezuela and Cuba,then the meeting inBasseterre may proveconsequential. If it becomes aseries of expectationsunsupportedbyproportional safeguards, friction will return. Smallstates guard sovereignty carefully because sovereigntyis theirshield. Thatinstinctisnotobstruction. Itisprudence.

The Secretarys overnight journey from Washington to Basseterre signalledseriousness.The discussionsthatfollowedwereconstructive.They didnot eraseeverydifference. Buttheykeptdialogueopenat a momentwhen steadyengagementisessential.

In thishemisphere, instability travels quickly. Sustaineddiplomacy mustmove faster,in Washingtonand acrossCARICOMalike.

(The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to theUnited Statesand the OAS, Dean of the OAS Ambassadorsaccredited totheOAS, andChancellor oftheUniversity of Guyana. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com)

The high cost of comfortable silence: why Bahamian courage is the only cure for national decay

THEREis aquiet, creeping rot that settles into a nation. Notthrough asingle catastrophic event,but through athousand daily concessions. It s therootof the"comfortable route":the choiceto lookthe otherway whena neighbourbreaksthe law;tostaysilentwhenacolleaguegamesthesystem;and to ask for a "favour" from a cousin in high places, rather thanfacing theconsequences of our own actions.

Wearea nationof"who you know" in a world that increasingly demands"what is right." As Bahamians, we take pride inour "face-toface"culture, ourwarmth, and ourinterconnectedness.

Butthat veryinterconnectedness has become our Achilles' heel. Our lack of courage tospeak truthto power andtruth toeach other hastraded ournational excellence for a mounting, messy mediocrity.

Ifwe donotfind thecol-

my daddy is?" or "Man, give me a breakthis one time." This is the"special consideration" trap. Wewant the law appliedstrictly tothe"other guy" the one blocking trafficor theone loudat night butwhen it’s our turn to beheld accountable,we want an exemption. We have traded the rule of law for the ruleof the "hookup."

The war zone on our roads Nowhere isour lackof courage morevisible and more lethal than on our streets.The roadhasbecome a war zone where the bully reigns supreme.We watchas jitneysand privatecarsalike adopt the worsthabits of foreign jurisdictions, driving with areckless disregardfor human life. Wesee motorcyclists performingdaredevil stunts onone wheelin heavy traffic, threatening not just their own lives but those of every father, mother, and

lective guts to prioritize the lawover ourcomfort, weare not justwitnessing theerosion of our country, we are wieldingthe shovelsthatdig the grave.

The hypocrisy of the 30minute flight

The most damning evidence ofour selectivediscipline is found atLynden Pindling International Airport. We watch a Bahamian board aflighttoMiamiandthemoment theytouch downat MIA a mere 30 minutes or solater--a transformationoccurs that wouldbaffle sociologistsifitweren'tsotragic:In Florida, that sameBahamian becomes amodel citizen. Theybuckletheirseatbeltbefore the engine turns over They wouldn'tdream of parking across a stranger's driveway orleaving theircar on a sidewalk for two weeks. They know that,in a civilized society, the law is an impersonal, immovable force.They knowthat ifthey parkillegally,thetowtruckis already on itsway. They drive with "due care and attention" because they respect the consequences.

Yet, upon returningto 242 soil, that same individual revertstoa stateoflawlessentitlement.They parkanywhere, drive with acell phone glued totheir ear, and treatstopsignslikemeresuggestions. Why?Because they knowthesystemissoft.They know that ifa police officer pullsthemover,theycanlead with, "Officer, youknowwho

child sharing the asphalt. And whatdo wedo? We stay timid. Westop for the bully because wedon't want theconfrontation. Thepolice seethe infantunrestrainedin thefront seat a tragedy waitingto happen and instead of aheavy fine that might save thatchild's life, theygive a"warning" anda smile. This isn'tkindness. It’sa lack of courage. It’s the refusal to do the hard work of enforcement becauseit's "toomuch trouble" or because the offendermight besomeone's sweetheartor lodgebrother. When the regulatory bodies allow a buildingto be constructed inchesfrom asidewalk because the ownerhas "connections," they are not beinghelpful; theyarebeing corrupt. They are stealing publicspace andpublic safety toappease asingle ego.

The death of the peaceful night Ourcowardice followsus home. We lieawake at 3:00 AM, the walls vibrating from a neighbour'sDJ blasting foul language thatno child should hear. Weare tired. "Grammy" can't sleep;the baby iscrying. Yet,we hesitate to approach the neighbour. We fear the boisterous response. We call the police, onlytobe metwithdisgust, asif we arethe nuisancefor wanting the peacewe pay taxes for. Thisacceptance ofthe

Ivoine Ingraham facing Reality

"norm" ishow asocietydies.

We have acceptedthat roadside mechanics canturn residential neighbourhoods into stripped-car graveyards. We haveaccepted thatpeople can dump garbagein the bushes and then blame the MP for being "nasty," when the mirror shows the real culprit. We seethe vendoroutside the school gateselling sugarladen poisonto ourchildren, undoingthe healthpolicies designed to protect the next generation.Westaysilentbecause "thewoman gotta make a living."

But what of the teacher who must manage the "sugar spike" in the classroom? What isthe long-termcost to ourhealthcare system?By refusingto say"no" tothe vendor,we aresaying "yes" to thedeterioration of our children's futures.

The ghost workers and the productivity drain Therotextendsintoouroffices, particularlywithin the public service. Weall know the "ghostworkers" those

kids, and disappear before

sors seeit. Butthe "hard question" is never asked. To report them is to be a "snitch" or "vibe-killer." So, theproductive fewcarrythe weight ofthe lazymany, and the system slows to a crawl.

This lack of professional courage ensures that our government services remain mediocrewhile thecostof living continues to rise. We are paying forwork that isn't done because we are too afraid todemand accountability.

The path forward:

If we want a better country a civilized Bahamas with great living conditions we must find the guts to be unpopular.

the clock strikes four. They are the first to call in sick, but the loudestto demand their "banking time." Their hard-working colleagues seeit. Thesupervi-

choosing the hard right

The "comfortable route" is a dead end. Itleads to a country wherenothing works, where the bold bully theweak, andwhereour

children grow up believing that the onlyway to get ahead is to find a loophole.

If we want a better country a civilized Bahamas withgreat livingconditions wemust findthe guts to be unpopular.

Courage is the police officer who issuesthe ticketto the VIP'sdaughter because the law is blind.

• Courageis theneighbour whofirmlydemandssilence at midnight.

• Courage isthesupervisor whodocks theemployee's pay for refusing to work.

• Courage isthecitizen who says, "I messed up, I'll pay the fine," instead of looking for aphone number to call.

We muststop beinga "face-to-face" society when itcomes tojustice andstart being a "heart-to-heart" societywhenit comestonational pride. Thelaw isn't a suggestion. It’s the floor upon which we build a civilization.

It’ll hurt. It’ll be uncomfortable. You ll be called names. You mighteven lose a"friend" who wasonly usingyou foryourinfluence anyway.

But the alternative is the continued erosion of the land we claim to love. Let s agree to be part of the solution. Let’s find thecourage to speak, to act, and to hold the line.

The Bahamasis worththe discomfort of being right.

US-Israeli offensive deepens as Iran conflict spreads across the Middle East

DUBAI Associated Press

THE Middle East moved closer to full-scale regional war this week as US and Israeli strikes inside Iran triggered sweeping retaliation from Tehran and its allies, widening a conflict that now stretches from Israel and Lebanon to the Gulf and beyond.

What began as targeted attacks on Iranian military and strategic infrastructure has rapidly escalated into a multi-front confrontation involving state militaries, proxy forces and global powers scrambling to prevent further spillover. The fighting has rattled energy markets, intensified diplomatic tensions and raised urgent questions about how — or whether — the violence can be contained.

Strikes Inside Iran Alter

the Strategic Landscape

The latest phase began with coordinated US and Israeli strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s missile capabilities, weakening its military command structure and disrupting elements of its nuclear programme. Iranian officials confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, a development that stunned the region and fundamentally altered the conflict’s trajectory. Tehran declared national mourning and vowed a forceful response.

President Donald Trump described the offensive as a decisive effort to eliminate what he called intolerable threats posed by Iran’s leadership and military apparatus. He signalled that operations could last several weeks and indicated the United States was prepared for a prolonged campaign if necessary. US officials said the objective was not occupation or regime change but the neutralisation of military capabilities viewed as destabilising to the region.

At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that the risk of wider escalation was real and that additional American casualties were possible. He insisted the operation had defined strategic goals and was not an open-ended intervention. Even so, the first confirmed American military deaths in the conflict underscored the stakes. Three US service members assigned to a logistics unit in Kuwait were killed amid retaliatory strikes. Trump vowed to avenge their deaths while cautioning that more losses could follow

before the campaign ends.

Retaliation Expands the Battlefield Iran’s response was swift and expansive. Ballistic missiles and armed drones were launched toward Israeli cities and military installations. Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Israel, sending families into shelters as air defence systems intercepted incoming projectiles. Israeli officials reported civilian casualties as well as damage to infrastructure.

Iran-aligned forces also opened additional fronts. Hezbollah fired rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Explosions rocked densely populated neighbourhoods, sending civilians fleeing and heightening fears that Lebanon could be drawn fully into the war.

Beyond Israel and Lebanon, Iran targeted Gulf states seen as aligned with Washington. Missile strikes in the United Arab Emirates hit areas near Dubai and Abu Dhabi, killing and injuring foreign nationals and damaging commercial facilities. The attacks unnerved

expatriate communities and underscored how far the conflict has spread geographically.

In Iraq and Syria, Iranian-backed militias intensified attacks on US and allied positions. American forces responded with defensive strikes, raising concerns that long-simmering proxy battlegrounds could once again become central theatres of war.

The human toll is mounting. In Iran, bombardment of military sites near populated areas has resulted in civilian casualties and displacement. Hospitals have struggled to manage the wounded as power outages and infrastructure damage disrupt daily life.

In Israel, funerals for victims of missile strikes have drawn large crowds, while schools and public institutions in some areas have closed amid security fears.

The psychological impact has been immediate and profound. Residents across multiple countries now live with the constant threat of air raid alarms and the uncertainty of further escalation. Economic life has been disrupted, flights rerouted and maritime traffic in key

shipping lanes reassessed for security risks.

Global Fallout and Uncertain Path Forward Global reaction has been swift but divided. Several Western governments expressed support for the US strikes while urging restraint and calling on Iran to halt retaliatory attacks. Other nations criticised the initial offensive as destabilising and warned that targeted killings and cross-border strikes risk undermining international norms. Russia and China condemned the military campaign and called for an immediate ceasefire. Both countries warned that the conflict could spiral into a broader confrontation with unpredictable global consequences. European governments found themselves balancing security cooperation with Washington against domestic and regional pressure to de-escalate. Some European leaders voiced concern about the legal basis for the strikes and the precedent set by the killing of a sitting head of state.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that

elements of the conflict challenge fundamental principles of the international order, including the prohibition on the use of force without Security Council authorisation or clear self-defence justification. Legal scholars have debated whether the strikes constitute lawful pre-emptive action or violate established norms governing sovereignty and armed conflict.

Within the United States, members of Congress from both parties have begun raising questions about presidential war powers and the scope of executive authority to conduct extended military operations without explicit congressional approval. The debate reflects broader unease about how long the conflict could last and what its ultimate objectives are. Financial markets have reacted nervously. Oil prices climbed sharply amid fears that sustained hostilities could disrupt supply from one of the world’s most energy-rich regions. Traders are closely monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz and other key maritime chokepoints. Defence stocks rose as investors anticipated increased military

spending, while broader indices fluctuated with each new report of escalation. Energy analysts warn that even limited damage to infrastructure or shipping lanes could have ripple effects across global markets. Airlines have adjusted flight paths to avoid contested airspace, and insurers are reassessing risk premiums for vessels operating in the Gulf. Diplomatic channels remain open but fragile. Oman, which has previously served as an intermediary between Tehran and Western capitals, has urged both sides to return to dialogue. Other regional actors have called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian corridors to assist civilians affected by the fighting. For now, however, neither side appears ready to step back. US and Israeli officials say further operations will continue until strategic goals are achieved. Iranian leaders, despite the loss of their supreme leader, have projected defiance and pledged sustained resistance. State media in Tehran has framed the conflict as a struggle for national survival and regional dignity.

BAHAMAS TO SEND AID TO CRISIS-HIT CUBA

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas is expected to contribute humanitarian assistance to Cuba as the island nation grapples with deepening fuel shortages and economic strain linked to tightened United States policies.

Prime Minister Philip Davis said yesterday that the matter was discussed among regional leaders at last week’s CARICOM summit in St Kitts and Nevis and that The Bahamas would play its part.

"It's a conversation between all CARICOM countries and we'll do our part to bring some humanitarian relief to the people of Cuba," the prime minister said.

Cuba has faced severe fuel shortages and recurring blackouts in recent months after the United States halted oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico in February 2026. Washington has also warned of possible sanctions against countries that move to supply fuel to the Cuban government.

The latest strain comes amid broader pressure from the United States on CARICOM states to distance themselves from Havana.

Relations between the US and Cuba have been tense since the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro and the subsequent nationalisation of US-owned assets.

CARICOM leaders raised concerns at their recent summit that a prolonged crisis in Cuba could destabilise the wider region. Chairman Andrew Holness warned that continued hardship could trigger migration pressures and affect security and economic stability across the Caribbean.

His remarks drew a sharp response from US Congressman Carlos Gimenez, who left Cuba as a child after the revolution. Writing on the social media platform X, he said "Jamaica will face consequences".

Cuba is not a full CARICOM member but has long-standing ties with member states, including The Bahamas. Regional leaders have repeatedly urged Washington to ease the decades-old embargo. Tensions between the US and Caribbean governments also surfaced in 2025 over Cuba’s medical labour export programme. Washington raised concerns that Cuban medical professionals receive only a fraction of payments made for their services. In April last year, Mr Davis said he understood US concerns and was in discussions with the Cuban government. In May, he said The Bahamas would review its contracts and move toward paying workers directly, rejecting suggestions that the country engages in forced labour.

Four Bahamian scientists represent nation at global ocean conference

FOUR Bahamianscientists arerepresenting the countryatone oftheworld’s largest oceanresearch gatherings, the Ocean Sciences Meetingin Glasgow,Scotland.

The bi-annual conference, held from February 22 to 27, hasdrawn morethan6,000 attendees from 60 countries. The event brings together scientists and researchers to share findings,collaborate on solutions to ocean-related challenges and forge new partnershipsin marinescience.

Attending fromThe Bahamas areChaz Garraway, Dana “Denley” Delaney, Paloma Cartwrightand Dr Brandon J Bethel.

MsCartwright, afourthyearPhD candidateinthe Departmentof OceanSciences at the University of Miami’s RosenstielSchool of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science,presented researchexamining therelationship betweenthe Florida Currentand coastalsealevel inTheBahamasandFlorida.

Her presentation focused on

theseasonal variabilityof the Florida Current.

Ms Delaney, founder of the Bahamiannon-profit Marmoris, highlightedthe organisation’s deepsea research in thenorthern Bahamas and the technologies enabling deepocean exploration.Marmoris,foundedin 2025, focuses on advancing deepsea researchacrossthe Caribbean.

Mr Garraway, an engineering student at Northeastern Universitypursuing a master s degree in Climate Science andEngineering, presented modellingresearch on themarine carbon dioxideremoval potentialof asugarkelpfarmusingcomputer simulations. Hiswork explorestangibleapproaches to mitigating and adapting to climate change.

DrBethel, assistantprofessorof marinescienceat the University ofThe Bahamas,is attendingasthe BahamasleadfortheFishing Vessel OceanObserving Networkprogramme,nowin itsthirdyear. Hisworkfocuses on oceannumerical

Fresh Start programme aims to equip GB youth with career skills

THEMinistry ofYouth, Sports and Culture marked itsthirdweek ofthe2026 SpringSession ofthe Fresh Start Programme on Grand Bahama last week, as25 youngparticipants continue trainingaimed at preparing themfor longterm employment.

The 16-weekinitiative, currently being heldat the Foster B.Pestaina Hall, targets unemployedyouth betweentheagesof18and 25.The programmecombines soft skills developmentwithcertificationina rangeof trades,including carpentry, information technology, sales,medical support andelectrical work.

Officialssaid thegoalis to provideparticipants withbothpracticaltraining and recognisedcredentials to strengthentheir prospectsin thejob market.

In additionto technical instruction,participantsreceive a stipendduring the programme.Uponcompletion,they areexpectedto earncertification intheir respective fields. The Fresh Start Programme forms partof the ministry’s broaderefforts toreduceyouthunemploymentand createstructured pathways tosustainable careers.

models, observationplatforms andartificial intelligence techniques tostudy hurricane-forced surface waves, marineheatwaves, renewable energyresource assessments andblue economy activitieswithin the Caribbean Sea. Their participationhighlights TheBahamas’ growing contributionto globalocean scienceata time whenclimate change, sealevelriseandmarinesustainability remain critical concerns for small island states.

Bahamian authors at heart of literacy push

BOOKS written by Bahamians were placed directly into the hands of young readers thisweek aspartofa national literacy initiative tied tothecountry’s52ndIndependencecelebrations.

The programme, led by Independence Secretariat Chairman HE Leslia MillerBrice, sawcurated collections from 13 localauthors distributed to schoolsduring 242 Day activities. Whilethe annual observance is typically marked by national colours and cultural festivities, the focus inside several classrooms was literacyand ownershipofstory.

Booksetsweredeliveredto Sadie CurtisPrimary School, Cleveland Eneas Primary School, WoodcockPrimary Schooland ColumbusPrimary School inNew Providence. Schoolsin theFamily Islands were also included, with donationsmade toOld BightPrimary SchoolinCat Island and LN Coakley High SchoolinExuma.

Organisers saidthe inclusion of campusesbeyond the capital wasintentional, ensuring students acrossthe archipelago wererepresented intheoutreach.

Theselected titlesspan

themes of faith,patience, adventure, identityand modern Bahamian history,reflecting the diversity of local storytelling. Among thefeatured writers is Neko Meicholas, husbandof thelateBahamian literary icon Patricia GlintonMeicholas, whose An Evening inGuanima formed part ofhigh schoolcurricula for decadesand remainsone of thecountry s mostrecognisedliteraryworks.

Education stakeholders have consistently emphasised that literacy outcomes improve when children encounter texts thatreflect their language, environment and lived realities. International research supports the view that culturally relevant material strengthens engagement and comprehension,particularlyattheprimarylevel.

By centring Bahamian authorsin theinitiative,organisers signalled that literacy is not onlyabout readingskills, but about representation and culturalaffirmation.

The distribution moves beyond a ceremonial gesture. It reinforces tostudents that theirstories, dialectandcultural references have value in print and belong within the broader narrative of national

development. As The Bahamas approaches its 53rdanniversary of Independence in July, the week sactivitieshighlighteda broader message:national

pride is sustained not only through flags and festivals, but throughliteracy, authorship and thepreservation of story.