03102026 NEWS

WOMAN & HEALTH

“We

‘BRACE FOR HIGHER PRICES’ AT THE PUMP

Fuel

retailers warn ‘it’s just a matter of time’ before costs increase due to Iran conflict

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN motorists are being urged to brace for higher prices at the pumps as rising oil costs linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East begin to impact the market, with one retailer warning “it's just a matter of time” before costs increase.

Vasco Bastian, vice president of the Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association, could not give a timeline when prices coud increase.

However, he told The Tribune prices will likely increase when retailers’ current inventory runs out. “I can tell you from where I sit as a retailer, there will be some minor adjustments in cost,” he said. “When exactly that cost would come into effect, I don't know until corporate speaks to us and let us know that ‘hey, we got a new shipment of fuel, it’s gonna go up by five cents or ten cents or 25 cents, or whatever.’

Former AG condemns fatal shooting of dog

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER attorney general has joined the chorus condemning a correctional officer’s fatal shooting of a family dog, calling the incident a possible misuse of a firearm and a disproportionate use of force.

John Delaney, who was appointed to Cabinet by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, said the widely circulated video of

Friday’s shooting on Soldier Road raises serious concerns about judgment, restraint and accountability. He also expressed alarm at prison officers walking the streets with their “guns drawn” during a parade.

“Based on the video circulated, regrettable to say, the service dogs demonstrated more socialisation, restraint and ability to assess threat than did the human handler (who shot the dog),” he said in a

“Hopefully it don't go

VIRAL ARMED ROBBERY VIDEO SHOWS WOMAN AT GUNPOINT

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THIS is the terrifying moment a gunman pressed a handgun to a woman’s head while hurling threats and demands during a violent armed robbery captured on a widely circulated video. The footage shows two men dressed in construction vests and hard hats entering a business on February 25. One of the men is armed with a handgun. At several points, he is seen holding the weapon to a

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A TOWN hall meeting on the recent arbitration ruling involving the Grand Bahama Port Authority took on a political tone Monday evening, as supporters of the governing party booed and refused to allow Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard to speak. The Bahamas Union of

Teachers Hall was filled to capacity, with a large number of attendees dressed in Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) colours and party shirts.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, who delivered remarks during the meeting, attempted to calm rowdy supporters while Mr Pintard was speaking, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

SpaceX donates $1m to UB to build nationally owned satellite and expand STEM research

THE University of The Bahamas has secured a $1m donation from Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) to support the development of a nationally built satellite and expand science and technology research, according to a press statement issued by the university.

UB said the funding will strengthen advanced laboratories and workshops where students and faculty are expected to design and develop a Bahamian-owned satellite to monitor the nation’s coastlines and marine ecosystems. The university said the data generated would support environmental protection and national development efforts.

The institution said it will retain ownership of the data, technology and intellectual property produced through the project, allowing policymakers to use the information to address issues such as coastal erosion and climate vulnerability.

UB President Dr Robert Blaine III said the university aims to position its laboratories as centres of innovation.

“We aspire for our labs to become incubators of innovation and centres of excellence. We know that our students will gain the skills and practical experience needed to thrive in STEM fields both at home and abroad,” he said.

“For The Bahamas, this means a deeper pool of skilled professionals ready to contribute to industries of the future.

For our students, it means being at the centre of scientific discovery and technological advance-

ment, a continuation of the paths of excellence for which UB alumni are known.”

The university said the initiative aligns with its expanding Small Island Sustainability academic programme, which focuses on applied research related to environmental monitoring of marine and terrestrial resources.

Kiko Dontchev, vice

president of launch at SpaceX, said the partnership reflects the importance of university-level opportunities in shaping careers in science and engineering.

“It was from being in a classroom and my work in university that I got the opportunity to actually build a satellite, that led to me building my career and then leading a wonderful

team, working with so many different people, leading me to The Bahamas,” he said. “In fact, in that same classroom, my classmate was a woman named Aisha Bowe, a Bahamian, and the reason both of us are where we are is because of the opportunities we received at our university.”

Vice chair of UB’s Board of Trustees

Gadville McDonald described the contribution as a philanthropic donation that supports STEM education.

“This $1 million philanthropic donation from SpaceX to support STEM education strengthens that foundation,” he said. “It reinforces our commitment to preparing young Bahamians to reimagine environmental

problem-solving, embrace technological innovation, and lead with creativity and confidence in a rapidly changing global economy.”

UB said it hopes the SpaceX donation will encourage additional partners to invest in STEM education and research as the university works to expand its scientific capacity.

Armed gunman threatens to kill staff during robbery

woman’s head as he issues commands.

Employees are ordered to lie face down on the floor. The men shout profanities and demand money as victims comply.

“Anything wrong, y’all (expletive) dead,” one of the men tells an employee, who says he was on a work call before ending it and throwing his phone.

At another point, the gunman shouts: “I come to (expletive) do damage man,” after demanding a woman’s phone.

The video shows one suspect moving behind the counter area while the armed man continues to monitor those lying on the ground. People inside the business can be heard pleading in distressed voices as the robbery unfolds. The suspects appear to collect cash and other items before leaving.

Police said one of the men seen in the video has since been taken into custody. The second suspect remains at large. Authorities could not confirm if the men are responsible for other robberies.

The video prompted a response from Dr Felicia Archer, a Justice of the Peace, who said it bears striking similarities to an armed robbery at her centrally located salon and beauty supply store on December 20, 2025.

She said a man dressed in construction attire entered her business shortly after 7pm.

“Once inside, he pulled a handgun and immediately ordered everyone in the store to get down on their faces,” she wrote. About seven people, including employees and customers, were inside at the time. She said the gunman forced them to lie on the ground while he took cash, cellular phones, iPads and other personal items. Police responded and statements were taken. Dr Archer said that on December 21, one of the stolen

phones was tracked to a residence believed to be connected to the suspect. She said the information was given to police. Officers went to the residence. Several people were taken into custody and an arrest was made. Some stolen items were recovered. However, Dr Archer said victims later participated in an identification process that was unsuccessful and those taken into

custody were released. She said there have had no further updates from the Royal Bahamas Police Force Armed Robbery Unit.

After viewing the recent video, she said victims and employees immediately recognised similarities.

“The voice, tone, posture, phrases used, attitude, and even the mannerisms are identical to the individual who robbed our store,”

she wrote. “The similarities are striking. The same construction clothing. The same type of handgun visible in the video. The same tone of voice. The same language and approach used during the robbery. This is not a coincidence. This is clearly a pattern.”

She urged police to expedite the investigation, saying the suspects appear to be deliberately disguising themselves as

construction workers.

“These individuals appear to be very strategic in their actions,” she wrote. “They are disguising themselves as construction workers, which is something that would not immediately raise suspicion when entering a place of business. They are also targeting smaller businesses where employees and customers are most vulnerable.”

Davis tells rowdy crowd ‘days of too few visible returns are over’

There also appeared to be little attempt by senior police officials present to control hecklers and maintain order in the hall.

Although the event was described as non-partisan, Mr Pintard was not invited to deliver formal remarks, even though the meeting was held in his Marco City constituency.

Panel speakers included attorneys Terrance Gape, Ernie Wallace, Gregory Moss, and Mr Davis.

FNM MP Kwasi Thompson was also frequently interrupted by the crowd as he tried to share his views during the question-and-answer segment.

Mr Davis said bringing the claim against the Grand Bahama Port Authority was not personal, emphasising that the two families that own

the GBPA had failed to live up to their obligation to develop Freeport.

“It was not an easy decision to decide to go that direction,” Mr Davis said. “We had numerous discussions with the shareholders.”

“My position was clear from day one, and it was shared by many that the potential of Freeport had been stalled, stagnant, and was being retarded by the fact that the shareholders had lost the vision, did not have the desire to see it move on.”

“This is not personal. This is about Grand Bahama and the people, and the direction needs to change. But they did not respond to me and only kept dragging me on and dragging me on, and I said there’s a mechanism to resolve this. And I activated that mechanism by serving notice of arbitration. We went to arbitration, and yes, the claim was for $357 million.”

WOMAN ACCUSED OF TRAFFICKING FOR PROSTITUTION

By PAVEL BAILEY

Mr Davis said the next phase is for the government to negotiate in good faith, adding that annual payments will be levied for 2024 up until 2054 when the Hawksbill Creek Agreement expires.

“We are open to negotiating,” he said.

The prime minister said the status quo at the authority has remained for many successive governments, and he wanted to do something about it before he leaves office.

“The Tribunal ruling has left a lot of opportunities for Grand Bahama. The decades of license fees that you paid, with too few visible returns, I tell you those days are over,” he said.

After the meeting, Mr Pintard told reporters that they were prepared for a potentially contentious political environment.

“Despite the fact that we know we were walking into a PLP rally, we were prepared to come and share our views relative to what the government is doing,” he said. “But we didn’t have an opportunity to fully do that.

“We know that this fight with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, this public fight is detrimental in our view to international investors’ confidence in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and the Prime Minister and his team should have gone to the table not only with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, but with the licensees of the Port, the Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders. That is what we would do under my administration.” Mr Pintard said the

Fuel retailers warn looming fuel hikes could trigger a ripple effect on freight and travel

up that high, but you know consumers can really brace for higher prices.”

BPRA president Raymond Jones said it is unlikely wholesalers have enough fuel inventory to last several months, noting that new shipments are expected soon. He added that when the next fuel shipment arrives, it will likely come at a higher cost.

“This could be a matter of a week or two or three or four, depending on which companies are importing when,” he added.

Their comments came as oil prices spiked again on Monday as the US-Israeli war with Iran intensified.

Major oil producers in the region have reduced output due to export constraints while Iran, Israel and the US have all reportedly struck oil and gas facilities since the war started, raising concerns about further disruptions to global supply.

Despite the rising oil prices, local government officials have sought to reassure Bahamians, saying residents need not fear electricity bill increases in the short or medium term.

Prime Minister Philip Davis has said any spike in global oil prices directly affects The Bahamas, but noted that safeguards are in place to cushion consumers during periods of volatility.

Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis added the government is taking a wait-and-see approach before considering any revisions to its fiscal plans.

Mr Jones, meanwhile, warned of the escalating war’s wider impact, saying it may not just affect fuel, but freight and insurance on cargos and airline tickets.

“Everything is driven by fuel to some degree,” he said, “so that could have a knock-on effect across the globe, which could have a negative effect because the price of it, depending

on the impact on the fuel price, you’ll see less travel.”

For his part, Mr Bastian urged drivers to continue

their usual routines, assuring that there will be no gas shortages. He said there will likely only be a minor

adjustment and encouraged Bahamians to carpool, service their vehicles and keep their tyres properly inflated as

Centreville voters divided on Campbell’s performance

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

CENTREVILLE res-

idents offered divided views yesterday on the performance of the Davis administration as the country heads toward a general election later this year. Some credited their Member of Parliament Jomo Campbell with stability and visible presence. Others said they feel ignored, see little benefit in their community and question the government’s priorities.

Edward Rahming, 78, who has lived in Centreville since he was seven, gave a neutral to slightly positive assessment of Mr Campbell.

“Ain’t nobody complaining who I know about — some of my friends and them,” he said.

Mr Rahming said he does not know Mr Campbell personally but sees him in the area.

“Not saying I know him like that, but I always see

him down the road or whatever, because I think he live somewhere on the next road,” he said.

He said he intends to vote, continuing what he described as his family’s tradition of supporting the Progressive Liberal Party.

“This ever was a PLP house,” he said. “Mother and father, straight down.”

But Carew Street business owner John Sands said he has not seen his representative since the PLP returned to office in 2021 and does not plan to vote.

“I won’t dirty my finger and tote no line to vote for those guys, because those guys only looking out for themselves,” he said.

“They ain’t trying to empower the middle class. They taking the poor for fools. They preying on poor areas for votes by giving them turkey and ham.”

He said he sees little being done for residents and believes development benefits business

interests.

“Look around here — the only things being done is for businesses that people in power own, so they helping their own business,” he said.

Mr Sands also raised concerns about job opportunities for Bahamians.

“They get the contracts and they sub it out to the Haitians,” he claimed without evidence. “Poor man like him can’t even get a security contract, yet they still asking for our vote.”

Centreville has been competitive in recent elections. Former Prime Minister Perry Christie held the seat for years before losing it in 2017 to Reece Chipman of the Free National Movement. The PLP regained it in 2021 when Mr Campbell won the constituency.

Kenneth Reckley, 55, said he worries about young men in the community.

“Coming from up the road there, nothing but children up there,” Mr Reckley said, referring to the Bahamas Department

of Correctional Services.

“You could count the elderly people up there — bunch of young men, 19, 20. Plenty of them have trades, so I don’t understand. But the only thing that be on my mind is these children because I getting older and one day they gonna be next.”

Vaughn Jones, who operates a memorial centre at Mount Royal Avenue and Talbot Street, said crime and vagrancy appear limited and credited the MP with maintaining stability.

“Jomo did a good job over the last couple of years in this area,” Mr Jones said. “I know he is more concerned with his constituents as opposed to business entities, so we don’t get a chance to deal with him like that.

“When five o’clock come around all these business areas shut down, so Centreville is quiet. But other than that I think he’s doing well.”

However, he said the government has not delivered on regulation of the funeral services industry.

“I wish some things could be done as it relates to the regularisation

of the funeral industry because that was one of the things put forward, and that has not occurred,” he said.

“For years stakeholders have been trying to regulate the funeral service industry,” he added.

“We’ve had meetings with government agencies like the Ministry of Health, but nothing has been addressed.”

Claude Higgs, 67, who has lived on Montrose Avenue for about 15 years, described the MP as doing a “great job” but raised traffic concerns.

“The only thing is you gotta be careful on this road,” Mr Higgs said.

“I got knocked down a couple of times on Montrose Avenue and they ain’t stop, so they making plenty speed. They gotta put a stop light somewhere there.”

He said residents he knows appear satisfied.

“I satisfied with that because you can come out in the night and nobody gonna bother with you,” he said. “One time ago I used to be scared to come out, but now I can come out and nobody bothers with you.”

Elizabeth Rolle, who has lived on Montrose Avenue for 37 years, said she has never been approached by a representative.

“I’ve never seen anybody come around here and do anything for us,” she said. “Never had anybody come to my door.”

Though frustrated, she said she plans to vote.

“Part of me doesn’t want to because it feels like it’s the same thing no matter who goes in,” she said. “But if you don’t vote I guess you part of the problem too, so I guess I’ll register and do it again.” She called for increased police patrols.

“Make sure the homeless people aren’t digging up in people garbage or breaking into people cars,” she said. “I’ve had someone try steal the generator out my backyard. It doesn’t feel as safe as it should because there are no patrols.”

Asked about the Davis administration’s overall performance, she said: “I ain’t see them do nothing, so I can’t grade the performance if there was no performance.”

‘Service dogs demonstrated more socialisation and restraint’ than officer, says former AG

message shared with The Tribune. “If the officers perceived a real danger of attack by the dogs on property, they could have crossed the street. That would have displayed a sense of judgment and precaution. Presumably, they saw no need to do so.”

The BDCS Public Relations Dept also did itself a disservice in its characterisation of the dogs on property. The public saw the video recording of what transpired. One would think that the BDCS should not want its credibility left strained in the eyes of the public. They should now clean this up by properly and objectively investigating, and (as/if found appropriate) disciplining the officer who shot the dog, compensating the dog’s owner, making a public apology and other demonstrable showing of its self-professed “[valuing] of the lives of animals”.

The shooting occurred Friday on Soldier Road at the end of a funeral procession for a retired officer. Video widely shared online showed correctional officers walking with leashed service dogs past the property

of veteran musician Duke Errol Strachan when two dogs on the property began barking and approached.

One officer, with his handgun already drawn,

discharged a single shot, killing the three-year-old dog.

Mr Delaney, in an interview with The Tribune, said he initially believed the

Off-duty officer praised for clearing traffic jam

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

AN off-duty police officer on her way to collect her son from school stepped into a busy intersection last week after malfunctioning traffic lights left motorists trapped in gridlock. Constable Jasmine Jones said she was travelling near Robinson Road shortly after 3pm last Thursday when she realised the lights were not working at the intersection of Marathon and Robinson Road. The area was crowded during school pick-up hours. Drivers from multiple directions pushed forward as horns sounded and congestion worsened. Still in her Royal Bahamas Police Force uniform after finishing her shift, Ms Jones parked her private vehicle and walked into the intersection to direct traffic. She said she believed the confusion could have resulted in a vehicular accident or someone being hurt if no one intervened.

A video posted on Facebook showing her directing traffic drew widespread attention. Up to press time, more than 1,600 people had reacted to the post and it had been shared over 300 times, with many praising her actions.

After directing traffic for more than an hour, Ms Jones said the flow improved significantly.

“I feel that being a police officer is about service, and sometimes that means stepping in even when you're off duty,” Ms Jones said.

video showed a training exercise.

“I was really impressed, and it was amazing the twist that things took,” he said. “The dogs maintained their

steady nerves, they clearly were trained dogs, but the handlers lost it. It was the most surprising thing. There was no real sense of danger that the service dogs were about to be attacked.”

Some have criticised the owner for failing to secure the dogs.

Mr Delaney agreed to a point, saying: “There’s no question about it that responsible dog ownership requires that a dog owner should secure one’s dog to one’s property and the dog owner should have ensured that was the case. However, it is not clear to me that the dogs left the property or got to the street.”

He said the video showed the dogs behaving as expected.

“Based on what we can see on the video, the dogs were doing what we would expect a domestic dog to do, which is to be alert for the owner and bark at the appearance of any intruder.”

He added that there was no evidence in the footage that the dogs had left the property.

“For all I know, the owner was confident that his dogs are trained and socialised not to leave the property,” he said. “What is clear is that the overseers

had choices they could have made that would not have resulted in the shooting of the dog. At a minimum, it was a disproportionate use of force.

“The service dogs were entirely disciplined. The public is reasonable to expect that the handler would also be trained and experienced.”

Mr Delaney also questioned the officers’ conduct in walking with firearms drawn.

He said: “Walking with guns drawn? How is it acceptable for these prison overseers to be walking in public on a parade with guns drawn? It is an ostentatious display of force that appears disproportionate to the situation that they were facing.”

He said officials should interview witnesses and the officers involved and make a judgment quickly.

The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services has described the incident as unfortunate and said officers involved would be interviewed as part of an investigation.

The Department of Agriculture said its Animal Control Unit has spoken with the dog’s owners and collected the animal.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

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-

Published daily Monday to Friday Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207

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The story of Freeport we’re not to share

EDITOR, The Tribune.

FOR decades, the story of Freeport has been told through glossy brochures, investor speeches, and nostalgic myths about “the good old days.”

But those stories leave out the people who lived the reality — the people whose labor built the island, whose communities were pushed aside, and whose dignity was tested in their own country. It’s time to tell the historical truths plainly.

LETTERS

western communities had to leave Freeport by a certain hour.

Imagine that. A Bahamian told to leave part of The Bahamas because the space was not “for them.”

That gate wasn’t just a structure.

For the first time in a long time, a Prime Minister — representing Bahamians compelled a long-untouchable entity to meet its obligations.

It said, clearly and publicly:

“The era of unchecked privilege is over.”

The language used afterward carried the weight of generations who had been denied a seat at the table.

This wasn’t just governance.

Bracing for the cost

OIL prices are soaring – but how exactly might Bahamians pay the cost?

The increase in prices of course is as a result of the current conflict involving Iran, after attacks by the US and Israel.

The price of oil has already soared above $100 a barrel, with the possibility mooted of $150 per barrel by the end of the month. As long as the conflict continues with Iran, there can be no certainty over when the prices will star to come back down.

Part of the reason for that is that around a fifth of the world’s crude oil supply travels through the Strait of Hormuz, neighbouring Iran, and no ships are moving through the waterway right now.

Oil output is also down across the region – about 60 percent down in Iran, while Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have also reduced output, and natural gas output is also down by about a fifth globally after Qatar halted production out of concern over military attacks.

That is the cause – now how will it affect The Bahamas?

Prime Minister Philip Davis has already advised that BPL bills should not see an increase in the short- or medium-term. It appears a fuel hedge was put in place in December, ensuring stable prices – for now.

But BPL is just one bill Bahamians face, of course.

In today’s Tribune, motorists are being warned to expect higher prices at the fuel pumps. Quite when that will be depends on how quickly the current supplies run out.

Airlines are also already facing increased fuel bills – which will likely be passed on to passengers. Whether it is the tourists coming to The Bahamas or Bahamians travelling to other destinations, that can mean a loss of money coming into the country or a hit to our own wallets.

Higher prices might mean fewer travellers, and we know how our economy leans heavily on tourism.

Then there are costs of all the many goods that come into our country –shipping means using fuel, and where fuel is used, costs may well be going up depending how long the situation in Iran continues. That means higher bills for your groceries, and for just about everything else.

Freeport was not created as an open, equal, or welcoming space.

It was a message — a reminder of who was welcome and who was tolerated.

@tribune242 tribune news network

It is not just shipping costs, but production costs too. Oil powers farm equipment, factories, it can be used in packaging and pesticides. All face the risk of rising costs. When you go shopping, look for how many of the products have plastic packaging – oil is part of that process.

There are already reports that the Philippines is moving to a four-day week to deal with the rise in fuel price, while in the UK there was worry that the country only has two days of natural gas supply in stock. There was dispute over how meaningful that UK claim was, with it said not to be unusual for that level of supply for the time of year – but it shows how there is a sudden worry over what was a previously dependable supply chain. Uncertainty feeds price increases, shortage does the same – both at once are sure to have an effect.

It is worth reiterating that none of this is the fault of anyone here in The Bahamas. This is the prospect of global inflation, we will simply be caught in it as much as anyone else.

This would be the same situation regardless of which party was in power, and which person sat in the prime minister’s chair. We are beholden to global shocks, just as everyone else is in the world.

The global situation has also caused volatility elsewhere – on the stock market. However, a suggestion by US President Donald Trump yesterday that the war may soon be over sent oil prices back down and stocks back up. Traders are jumpy in either direction right now.

Meanwhile, the chief economist for Deloitte in the UK, Ian Stewart, warned: “Talk of recession is back.”

Between production shortages and logistics hold-ups, the world’s oil supply has hit a significant pause right now. Even if all the delayed ships start moving tomorrow, it will take a while to resume normal trade.

The hope must be that Mr Trump is correct when he says this could be over soon – not least of all for the prospect of peace itself.

But if it does not, then we have some rough waters to negotiate.

A prolonged war will be a challenge both for this administration, and for whoever leads the next.

Response on Civil Service reform

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I READ with interest the letter by Mr Orland H Bodie Jr titled “Civil service badly in need of reform.” I share many of the concerns he raised regarding the frustrations that many Bahamians experience when interacting with the public service.

Like many young Bahamians seeking an opportunity to contribute to our country, I have applied for positions within the public sector when vacancies are advertised. On one occasion I submitted an application by email in response to an advertisement for a position with the Financial Intelligence Unit located at Poinciana House on East Bay Street.

To their credit, my email application was acknowledged with a brief response simply stating “acknowledged.” While I appreciated that my application was received, I could not help but feel that the process could benefit from a more professional and transparent approach to communication with applicants. My intention is not to criticise any individual or institution unfairly. Rather, it is to highlight an experience that many Bahamians share. Too often young people submit applications in good faith yet receive little information about the outcome or progress of their submissions. If we are to encourage young Bahamians to

believe in the institutions of our country and to see themselves as part of its future leadership, then our systems must demonstrate fairness, transparency and professionalism in how opportunities are presented and managed. Mr Bodie’s call for reform within the civil service therefore deserves serious reflection. A modern Bahamas should be supported by a modern and responsive public service—one that ensures that qualified Bahamians feel valued, respected and fairly considered when they seek to serve their nation

ROLAND E ANDREWS Sr Nassau, March 9, 2026.

It was engineered as a controlled zone where foreign power sat at the top, foreign wealth flowed freely, and Black Bahamians were expected to remain on the margins of an island that belonged to them long before the first concrete slab was poured.

This isn’t bitterness.

This is history.

THE EARLY FREEPORT MODEL: WHO BENEFITED, WHO PAID THE PRICE

When the Hawksbill Creek Agreement was signed, the Grand Bahama Port Authority was given extraordinary authority — the kind of authority normally reserved for governments.

But the way that authority was used created a social order that favored:

- foreign investors

- white expatriates

- a small circle of connected families

Meanwhile, the Black majority — the people whose hands built the docks, the roads, the hotels, the power lines — were pushed into the background.

The best jobs went to imported workers.

Management roles were reserved for outsiders.

Local entrepreneurs were blocked, delayed, or dismissed.

This wasn’t an accident.

It was the design.

THE GATE AT EIGHT MILE ROCK: A LINE DRAWN IN THE ISLAND

One of the most painful symbols of that era was the gate at Eight Mile Rock.

A literal barrier.

A curfew.

A rule that said Black Bahamians from the

FOREIGN POLICE AND SOCIAL CONTROL

To enforce this order, the Port Authority didn’t rely on local officers. They imported police.

Not to protect the people of Grand Bahama.

But to maintain the social hierarchy that kept the system running smoothly.

Many residents still remember the intimidation, the disrespect, and the feeling of being policed by strangers in their own home. These memories are not exaggerations. They are lived experience.

THE RISE OF A NEW ERA — AND THE SHIFT IN FREEPORT

When the movement for political empowerment swept across The Bahamas, Freeport felt the tremor.

The Black majority demanded:

- fairness - representation - access to opportunity

- dignity

The old order resisted, but the tide was unstoppable.

Freeport could no longer exist as a private kingdom inside a sovereign nation.

The push for national control, accountability, and equity began reshaping the island’s political and economic landscape.

THE ARBITRATION

VICTORY: WHY IT

MATTERS

Fast-forward to today.

When the Prime Minister secured the recent arbitration award against the Port Authority, it wasn’t just a legal win.

It was a historic moment — a moment that echoed decades of struggle.

It was reclamation. It was a legacy moment for Prime Minister Philip Davis THE HAYWARD FAMILY: TRUTH WITH RESPECT

Recently, the Hayward family expressed concern about criticism of the senior patriarch.

And yes — we can be respectful.

But we must also be honest.

The early Freeport model did exclude Black Bahamians.

The Haywards were part of that structure.

And the consequences of those choices shaped the island for decades.

Acknowledging this is not an attack.

It is simply the truth.

History demands clarity, not comfort.

FREEPORT’S REAL STORY: A STRUGGLE FOR DIGNITY

Freeport is more than a tax-free zone or an industrial hub.

It is the site of struggle, resistance, and transformation and the protection of our patrimony for future generations.

From the gate at Eight Mile Rock to the arbitration award of today, the story is one continuous arc — a people insisting on their rightful place in their own land.

This is the story we were never supposed to tell.

But we’re telling it now.

And we’re telling it boldly. Your necessary intervention was inevitable Prime Minister Davis. Alas there is still much more work to be done.

FT Nassau, March 9, 2026

Arbitration theatre will bills pile up

EDITOR, The Tribune.

ONE would think that after an arbitration ruling, the matter would be settled. That, after all, is the point of arbitration.

Yet here we are.

Despite a ruling in the dispute between the Government of The Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), the public is now being treated to a prolonged back-andforth that feels less like governance and more like theatre. Each side appears determined to squeeze a few more headlines from a matter that was supposedly resolved by a tribunal.

For the GBPA, perhaps the continued sparring is about protecting its institutional position in Freeport.

For the government, however, the motivations appear far more convenient. Because while the public is invited to watch this constitutional ping-pong match, another story quietly unfolds in the nation’s finances.

On 27 February 2026, The Nassau Guardian reported under the headline “Growing arrears raise fiscal concerns” that the government’s unpaid invoices and arrears had ballooned to $241 million, compared with $121 million at the

same point the previous year. That is not a rounding error.

That is a doubling.

The report noted that the administration of Philip Davis still expects revenue intake in the second half of the 2025/2026 fiscal year to bring the government’s finances back in line with its target of a $75 million surplus.

This raises a rather basic question. Did the same miracle occur last year?

When the government promised that revenue intake during the second half of the 2024/2025 fiscal year would also align the numbers with its fiscal goals, did it actually happen? And if it did, why are arrears now climbing so dramatically?

Because here lies the curious logic of what might best be described as superstitious economics.

According to the government’s narrative, the public should not worry about the growing mountain of unpaid bills. Yes, the country may currently be hundreds of millions of dollars in arrears — but apparently, we are all meant to relax and trust that the latter half of the fiscal year will arrive like a benevolent economic fairy, wave its

wand, and transform those arrears into a surplus. One might call that optimism.

Others might call it accounting by wishful thinking.

Which brings us back to the GBPA dispute.

If the arbitration ruling has already reset the legal and commercial relationship between the parties, why is the matter still dominating public discourse? Why are government officials still trading rhetorical blows with the GBPA?

Could it be that the political value of the fight now outweighs the legal value of the ruling?

After all, it is far easier to keep the public focused on a quarrel in Freeport than to explain why government arrears have doubled in a year while officials simultaneously promise a surplus. In politics, distraction is often the most convenient fiscal policy.

And if the public conversation remains fixed on arbitration drama rather than the country’s growing pile of unpaid bills, then perhaps the spectacle has already served its purpose.

The Bahamian people deserve better.

ADRIAN RAMSEY Nassau, March 9, 2026.

Union slams BTVI for rejecting accredited degrees

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas is accusing the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute of refusing to recognise faculty members’ accredited degrees and certifications by relying on criteria from the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas.

UTEB president Daniel Thompson said BTVI is citing NAECOB communications to justify its position. He said the institute has added a condition that if a degree or institution is not listed or approved by NAECOB, it will not be accepted.

Mr Thompson said NAECOB confirmed that the degree of a BTVI faculty member from a regionally accredited university is valid, but advised that the online programme is not recognised.

He described NAECOB as being in its “infantile” stage and called it a fledgling institution, adding that its recognition process requires universities to pay a $2,000 annual fee to appear on its list, with only 14 institutions currently listed.

The union said it is disappointed that BTVI’s leaders are refusing to recognise faculty members’ accredited degrees and internationally recognised certifications, saying doing so is required by the industrial agreement. Some BTVI members said the move is an attempt to sideline people.

“UTEB calls on the government of The Bahamas to intervene urgently on these matters, especially the one at BTVI, and the industrial agreement is clear and transparency in processes is expected,” Mr Thompson said. “Anything less represents a breach of trust, a dismissal of professional excellence and a troubling precedent for higher

education in The Bahamas.”

Mr Thompson also described the situation as “ludicrous”, “unfair” and “unrealistic” when referencing what he called a fledgling organisation with only 14 institutions recognised.

“The implication that BTVI is using as a justification to dismiss qualifications earned from respected institutions and certification bodies around the world are somewhat inferior simply because they do not appear on a limited list is both unreasonable and academically indefensible, and may I add disingenuous of the institution. Tertiary education operates within widely accepted global accreditation and internationally recognized systems,” he said.

Kerima Smith of BTVI’s business department said the matter affects the entire institution, which she estimates has about 40 fulltime faculty members and 250 adjunct faculty.

“You cannot say as management that you want faculty to remain up to date to know what industry trends are required, what best practices are required, and you don't want us to go through the training and development that is required of all us here,” she said.

She said the industrial agreement required her to obtain certification so

she could properly prepare students seeking internationally recognised certification and ensure they are adequately trained to achieve it.

“We believe that BTVI has now added an additional step to what is required and this is the additional step, the industrial agreement speaks to us getting our qualifications from accredited institutions,” she said. “If you look at NAECOB website, there are at least 50 to 100 accredited institution, accredited bodies. The faculty would have gone on those sites and look at the accredited bodies, because that is what the industrial agreement asked for.”

The Tribune reached out to BTVI for comment but did not receive a response up to press time.

UTEB clears UB ‘red flags’ but Academic Senate dispute remains

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Union of Ter-

tiary Educators of The Bahamas and the University of The Bahamas are working to address several “red flags” raised by accreditation evaluators, with most of the issues already resolved, union officials say.

UTEB president Daniel Thompson said the concerns were flagged by the accrediting body and required corrective action by the university. He said only about two matters remain outstanding.

“The accrediting body, they said they saw some of what we call red flags. As a result of those red flags, the university needed to address those matters. So those matters are what we are now addressing. We have addressed most of them. There about two of them still outstanding, and we are making headway on resolving those matters,” he said. One issue involved differences between the British and American education systems that created credentialing concerns. British PhDs typically focus on several

years of research without coursework, unlike American PhDs, which may include coursework components.

Mr Thompson said the union and the university provided external evaluations to confirm degree equivalency.

“We couldn't just super impose a North American centric system on The Bahamas, where many of our graduates, many of our instructors, are educated in the British system,” he said. “Those are the type of red flags that existed.”

“We were able to mitigate all of those red

Physically disabled woman sent to prison for stabbing boyfriend

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A PHYSICALLY impaired woman was sentenced to one year in prison after admitting she stabbed her boyfriend on South Street last week.

Brendamae Lewis, 46, stabbed Lionel Giddues in the chest with a kitchen knife shortly after midnight on March 6. Giddues was treated in the hospital for serious injuries after fleeing to the Nassau Street Police Station. Lewis, who has a medical condition that restricts her mobility, claimed Giddues charged at her during an argument, causing her to stab him. She also alleged he threatened to kill her.

She was previously charged with grievous harm after being accused of stabbing another boyfriend in the eye on March 24, 2022. Lewis pleaded guilty to the latest grievous harm charge before Deputy Chief Magistrate Kara Turnquest Deveaux and was sentenced to one year in prison.

Inspector K Wilkinson was the prosecutor.

Man accused of armed robbery at a jewellery store on East Street

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of armed robbery at a jewellery store on East Street South last month was remanded to prison yesterday. Prosecutors allege that Adam Newbold, 31, armed with a handgun and acting with an accomplice, robbed Lornai Moultrie of $2,400 in cash and $11,000 worth of jewellery from Jewellery and Watch Discount at 12.27pm on February 25. Newbold was not required to enter a plea to the armed robbery charge before Acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. He was told the case will proceed to the Supreme

Court by a voluntary bill of indictment. He must apply for bail in the higher court.

Newbold was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until service of the voluntary bill of indictment on August 6.

Inspector Deon Barr was the prosecutor. Levan Johnson represented the accused.

Murder suspect fined $5,000 for breaching bail for 27 days

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN awaiting trial for murder was fined $5,000 yesterday for breaching his bail conditions for 27 days. John Ricardo Thomas, 36, failed to sign in at his local police station for 27 days between September 27, 2025, and February 23. He is on bail for the alleged murder of Garth Hall. Police said Hall was shot

several times about the body on Fifth Street, Coconut Grove, on March 7, 2022. The victim was repairing his vehicle at the time. Officers responding to reports of the shooting around 2pm found Hall lying on the ground next to his vehicle with apparent gunshot wounds. He later died in the hospital. Thomas pleaded guilty to violating his bail conditions before acting Chief

Magistrate Ancella Evans. Prosecutor Inspector Deon Barr told the court that Thomas has prior convictions of a similar nature. Thomas asked for mercy, saying he is the father of three children whom he supports. He was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine or face six months in prison. Half must be paid by March 23, with the balance due by April 23. Ian Cargill represented the accused.

flags. Consequently, there were one or two that still existed, and we had to go back and provide the justification. We're not questioning the person's qualification. We're just looking at their alignment with a particular area.”

Mr Thompson also said the union is in discussions with the university over the role of the Academic Senate. Under the University of The Bahamas Act (2016), union executives are barred from serving on the Academic Senate, even if they are qualified faculty members. As

a result, professors who hold union leadership roles cannot participate in Senate governance.

Union representatives argue that this creates a conflict, particularly as the Academic Senate seeks to develop policies affecting employees’ terms and conditions of employment, which they say are governed by an industrial agreement.

“An Academic Senate, an entity of the university, cannot discuss or engage in negotiating or designing any policy that affect terms and conditions of employment when they are expressly given in our

industrial agreement, and so we have cautioned the university to stop, desist, and stop your Senate from engaging in that type of business,” he said.

“Furthermore, why should me, as a faculty, support an entity that I am not a part of to make a decision on how I am promoted, how my salary scale happens, how I am made permanent, ludicrous.”

Mr Thompson said the union is open to resolving the matter, including amending the University Act to allow union executives to serve on the Academic Senate.

TWO MEN DIE IN SEPARATE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

TWO men — one in New Providence and the other in Grand Bahama — died in separate traffic crashes on Sunday, according to police.

In the capital, a 36-yearold man succumbed to his injuries after his vehicle collided with a utility pole on Kemp Road.

Shortly before 5am on March 8, officers were alerted to a traffic collision in the area. When they arrived, they found a Chevrolet Trax bearing registration number AQ9395 with extensive damage after crashing into a utility pole.

Emergency Medical Services had already transported the driver to hospital for treatment before officers reached the

scene. Initial investigations suggest the man was travelling south along Kemp Road when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle and struck the pole.

Shortly after 7am, he died in hospital while receiving treatment.

Hours later in Grand Bahama, a 40-year-old man was killed in a crash on Grand Bahamian Way in the Hunters area.

Shortly after 9pm, authorities were alerted to the incident and responded to the scene, where they discovered a white 2013 Nissan Cube that had collided with a tree.

The driver, who had sustained severe injuries, was

found outside the vehicle praying but later became unresponsive. Emergency Medical Services personnel transported him to hospital for further treatment. Shortly after 11pm, he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor. Initial investigations revealed the man had been travelling southbound along Grand Bahamian Way when he veered left and struck a tree. Authorities said they have received information indicating that the deceased had a pre-existing medical condition. An autopsy will be conducted to assist in determining the exact cause of death. Investigations continue.

Ne

w year, New rules

THE February 2026 revisionstotheF-1andM-1regulatoryframeworkhavematerially alteredthe landscapefor international students. These changes aren't just administrativetweaks, either.They re fundamental shifts in how work authorisationeligibility, timing,and complianceare tracked through SEVP/SEVIS, and adjudicated by USCIS.

For students,the operational effect ofthese changes is an expanded set of “statustermination triggers tied to anyemploymentactivity,coupled with much narrower windowsfor post-completiondecisions. This articleis the Holy Grail” for international students, and outlinesthe severe long-term consequencesof missed stepsand theimmediate dangers for those traveling through preclearance. If you or someone you know currently holdsan F-1 or M-1 visas,you’re going to want to read the entire article.

1)The2026changesstandardiseenforcementaround three control points: SEVIS accuracy, EADvalidity, and contemporaneous evidence that thework isdirectly related to theacademic program. Under the new strict compliance” era, any deviation is treated asa statusviolation with immediateinadmissibility impacts.

2) The 30-Day Post-CompletionGracePeriod

Ina majorshift, thepostcompletiongrace periodhas beenslashed from60 daysto 30days. Studentsnowhave 30days towrapup theirlives, transfer schools, or change status,whichisa“hard”deadlinetodepart,transfer,orhave a Changeof Status(COS) application receivedby USCIS. Failure toact within these 30 days triggers imme-

diate “out-of-status” exposure andbegins theaccrual ofunlawful presence.

3) On-CampusEmployment:The“GigWork” On-campus employment remains capped at 20 hours perweek duringtheterm. Now, Off-the-books campus work isa high-velocity trigger forSEVIS termination as of 2026. Receivinga stipendforservices, acting as a “contractor” for a campus entity, ordoing perproject work,is employment andmust bereportedthrough standard payroll.

4) CPTIntegrity andthe “Day1”Risk Curricular Practical Training (CPT) must be integralto thecurriculum.The 2026changes placeheavy weight on start-date integrity.” Working even one daybeforetheauthorisedCPT start dateon your I-20is now considered unauthorised employment.

5) OPT 2026 Updates: The “Directly Related” Mandate Post-completion OPTrequiresanEAD, butthe2026 frameworkadds anewlayer of scrutiny: the “Directly Related” mapping. Studentsare now expectedto maintaina concise “Evidence Package” that maps theirjob duties to specific degree coursework. USCIS isno longertaking the students word for it. They want to seethe syllabus-tojob-description alignment. Furthermore, “trial projects” oronboardingbeforetheEAD start date are strictly forbidden. Misaligned payroll dates are now being flagged automatically in the 2026 digital ecosystem.

6) STEM OPT: Remote Work and Material Changes STEM OPTextensions re-

quire aForm I-983Training Plan. The2026 updatesintensify enforcement of material change” reporting. If your worksite moves, your supervisor changes, oryour compensationis adjusted,your DSO must beupdated immediately. Remote workis onlyallowed if the employer can document active, “site-consistent supervision. Caribbean students working remotely while temporarilyabroad must maintain logs of remote supervisionto defendagainst misrepresentation claims at the border.

7) M-1 Vocational Students: TheStricter Standard

The 2026 rulesclarify that M-1 students are not eligible forCPT, andany attemptto engagein“internships”during

thecourseof studywillresult in immediate termination. M1 students aregenerally prohibited fromchanging their educational objectiveand have extremely limited “Practical Training options usually onlyavailable aftercompletion and limited to one monthfor everyfourmonths of study.

8) The Endof “Duration ofStatus”(D/S)

The most significant legal shift isthat students’ I-94 will nolonger say D/S. It now hasa hardexpirationdate, typically capped at4 years. If youstayonedaypastthatdate without an extension,you are accruing unlawful presence.

9) EnhancedDigital Vetting: TheSocial Media Factor CBP andUSCIS now

12 years on, renewed hunt for missing Flight MH370 comes up empty as families press for answers

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Twelve years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished with 239 people aboard, arenewed deep-sea search inthe southernIndian Ocean hasso far failed tolocate themissingaircraft, Malaysian authorities saidSunday, asfamilies pressedfortheefforttocontinue.

The AirAccident Investigation Bureausaid ina statement that a seabed searchconducted bymarine roboticscompanyOceanInfinity betweenMarch 2025 andJanuary 2026surveyed thousandsofsquarekilometersof oceanfloor buthas

notproducedanyconfirmed findings of the aircraft wreckage.

Malaysia gave thenod to the Texas-based company lastyeartorenewthesearch for Flight 370under a "nofind, no-fee" contractat a new 15,000-square-kilometer (5,800-square-mile) sitein thesouthernIndian Ocean whereit wasbelievedto havecrashed. Ocean Infinity will be paid $70 milliononly if wreckage is discovered.

The searchwas carried outfor28 daysintwo phases March 25–28 last year andDec 31,2025, to Jan 23 thisyear, covering about7,571 squarekilome-

US F-1 and M-1 visa holders

utilisefive-year socialmedia histories to evaluate compliance. Publicpostings about freelancing, monetised contentonYouTubeorTikTok,or LinkedIn resumes that show employment datesinconsistent with SEVIS are being used asgrounds forvisa cancellation.

At LPIA Preclearance in Nassau, officers are increasinglyasking studentstounlock devices to verify that “side hustles” haven't crossed theline intounauthorised work.

10)The “Day After” AccrualRule Underthe updatedUSCIS PolicyManual,the findingof a violation” rule is gone. Following the re-institution of high-scrutinypolicies, F, J, andMstudentsbeginaccruing unlawful presencethe day aftera statusviolationoccurs (eg,working onehourof unauthorised “gig” work).

11) LPIAPreclearance: TheCaribbeanFrontLine Officers nowhave realtimeaccesstoSEVIStermination flags. If aschoolterminates a recordon Monday due toaworkviolation,theofficer

sees iton Tuesday.This can result in an immediate expedited removal,” which carries a 5-yearbar fromentering the United States.

Conclusion The 2026F-1 andM-1 frameworkis designedforautomated enforcement. Minor timing errorsand misclassified gigs arenow treated as terminal status violations and should be taken seriously.

Donnette Russell-Love, LLC provides multidisciplinary legal and compliance consultancy for high-stakes regulatoryrisks. Fortravellers navigating complex US immigration matters or experiencingadverse outcomesat preclearance, professional legal guidanceis essential. Donnette Russell-Love,LLC provides targetedrepresentation forBahamian and Caribbeanfamilies andprofessionalsfacingvisadenials, I-275withdrawals, andrelatedcross-borderlegalchallenges. Contact ouroffice to scheduleaconsultation.Phone and WhatsApp:954-828-2429. legalassistant@drusselllove.com

ters (2,923 squaremiles) of seabed, thebureau said. Weather periodicallydisrupted operations, it said. "The searchactivities undertaken have not yielded any findings that confirm thelocation oftheaircraft wreckage,"itsaidinastatement. It didn'tgive details on when the search will resume.

The Boeing 777 plane vanishedfrom radarshortly aftertakingoff onMarch8, 2014, carrying239 people, mostly Chinese nationals, on aflight fromMalaysia's capital,Kuala Lumpur,to Beijing. Satellite data showedthe planeturned from its flight path and headed south to the farsouthern IndianOcean, whereit isbelieved tohave crashed. An expensive multinational search failedto turn upany cluesto itslocation, although debriswashed ashore on the east African coast andIndian Oceanislands.A privatesearchin 2018by OceanInfinityalso found nothing. Voice 370,representing

the familiesof someof those aboardthe missing plane, urged the government toextend OceanInfinity's contractand toconsider similar arrangements withother deep-seaexploration companies. Although Ocean Infinity's contract runs until June, thegroup saidthe company's vessel has been redeployed forother work and is unlikely to return soon to completethe remaining searchareas dueto the approachingwinter months anddeteriorating sea conditions.

"The governmentpays nothingunlesstheaircraftis found.Any requestby Ocean Infinity to extend the search contract should thereforebegrantedwithout hesitation,"itsaidinastatement. "Ifthe presentsearch is unsuccessful,we would alsourgeMalaysiatokindly consider extending similar nofind,nofeeopportunities to other capabledeep sea exploration companies." Thegroupvowedto"continue the fightfor answers. We will never give up!"

The architecture silenceof

dismantling the culture of incest and the assassination of the Bahamian soul

THE crystal-clear waters of the Bahamianarchipelago often serve as a veil, obscuring amurky, turbulentsocial reality thathas persisted in theshadows forgenerations.Whilethe worldseesa tropicalparadise,asegmentof our population particularly within the secluded settlementsof theFamilyIslands-carries theweight ofa "normalised" trauma.We’re talking about the pervasive cultureof incestand thesystemicfailure toprotectour mostvulnerable citizens:our children.

Thisisnotmerelya"family matter." It sa coordinated, multi-generational psychologicaland emotionalassassinationofthe victim’s spirit and character.

To confront this,we must lookbeyond theindividual actsof depravityandexamine the societal scaffolding that allowed such a"slaughter of impressionablelives" tobecome, in some circles, a localised norm.

Wemust addressthe "naivety"thatis oftenusedas ashield andthedeep-seated shamethatfunctions asagag order.

Theironfist andthedomestic fortress Historically, the Bahamian socialstructure, especiallyin remote settlements,was built uponan uncompromisingpatriarchy. Inan erawhere womenwere legallyandeconomically tetheredto their husbands, the home was not a sanctuary, but a fiefdom. The "breadwinner" modeldid more than provide.It granted themanabsolutedominion.In these isolated environments, the husband s word was law.

This power dynamic was exacerbatedby alack ofeducationand exposure,creating a"naivety"thatwaslessabout intelligence and moreabout a lack ofoptions. Whena man "ruledwith aniron fist,"the domestic spacebecame a closed loop a fortress where thepredator wasalsothe provider.

The mostchilling aspectof this history is the role of the "sentinelmother." Theaccounts of adultwomen today, recallinghow theirown mothers guarded the door whileafather orrelativeviolated them, pointto a survival mechanism gonewrong. Ina worldwherethe malewasthe solesource ofsurvival,some womenchoosetofacilitatethe abuseratherthan riskthetotal collapse of the family unit. This was a total surrender toapredatorypowerstructure, a betrayal ofthe maternal instincttraded forthe breadon the table.

Thecomplicity ofthepillars:church, state,andsettlement

The tragedy ofincest in the Bahamas isnot thatit wasa secret,butthatitwasan "open secret." It s not amystery to anyone:the neighbourknows, the cousin knows, and the communitywatches ina trance of collective apathy.

1.Thepulpit andtheconfessional The church has always been the heartbeat of the Bahamian settlement. Pastors

Ivoine Ingraham

facing Reality

were and often still are the ultimate moral arbiters. Yet, whenmothers orchildren turnedto thechurch ingrief, the response was too often a callfor "forgiveness"and "discretion."

By prioritisingthe "standing" of theman in the community overthe safetyof the child,the religiousinstitution became a warehouse for trauma.The pastorwho knows andremains silentis not a man of God. He is an accessory to thedestruction of a soul.

2 The failure of the policing state. Onremoteislands, thelawis often personified bya single officer, whois partof thesocial fabric. When the perpetrator is a "big man" a businessmanor a local leader the lawlooksthe other way.The "slapon the wrist"for sexwithaminor isa systemic indictment. When we treat the rape of a child as aprivate matter, we areeffectivelydecriminalising the destruction of a human life.

The biologicaland psychological toll

Thephysical evidenceof this historyis writtenin the genealogy of ourislands. In certain communities,the prevalenceof childrenwith "extreme behaviours"or mental challenges can be traceddirectly togenerations of incest.We arewitnessing the biological fallout of a moral vacuum.

Butthe mentalscarsare perhaps more devastating. We arelooking atadisjointed generation adults whogrew up ina world wherethe protector was theviolator. This createsafundamentalbreakin trust.

Therobbery ofmotherhood: Manygirlshavebeen destroyed physically and emotionally tothe point where they cannever be mothers. Wehave robbed themof thedivinepleasure ofcreating lifebecausewe allowed their ownlives to be desecrated before they even reached puberty. The silentagony ofthe boy: Wemust speakof the young boys who walk around with scarsin a society thatis cruellyinsensitive tomale victimisation. The stigmaof amale interfering witha boyis sotoxic that the victimdies inside because he cannot even report it. A primitive system and ill-qualified people judge him beforehe can even seek closure.

The erasureof shameand the bragging culture Perhapsmost disturbingis the lack ofshame among the perpetrators. Inmany settlements, menhave historically braggedabout theirconquests,evenwhenthoseconquests were their own progeny.

This isthe hallmarkof a society that has lost its moral compass.

When the violation of a childis usedasa badgeof virility rather thana mark of pariahdom,thecultureisina stateofethicalemergency.

Wehave nodata onthe rate of suicides stemming fromthis traumabecausewe don'twanttolookatthenumbers.We don'twant toadmit thatour"paradise"isbuilton

a graveyardof childhoodinnocence.

Acall forradicalaccountability

If we are tobe taken seriouslyon theglobal stage,we must stop"pussyfooting" aroundtheterminology.

Sex withaminor isrape. Itisnota"mistake."

Incest isa crime against humanity. Itis nota "familytradition."

Silence iscomplicity, whether it comes from a motheratthedoor,apastor in thepulpit, ora policemanonthebeat.

We mustimplement mandatory reporting with teeth.

We must have aggressive prosecutionthat ignoressocialstatus.

We mustprovide specialised psychological supportforthose whohavebeen assassinated inspirit. The state owes everychild a healthypresent.

Our soul as a nation depends on ourability to protect the smallest among us. We cannot build a whole Bahamas ona foundationof brokenchildren.

It s time to tear down the architecture of silence and ensure thatno childever has towonder whytheircountry turneditsback onthem.The primitive days oflooking the other waymust endnow, or weforfeitour righttocall ourselvesacivilisedsociety. Facingreality, thecourts treat incest and rape leniently. It’s toolenient. And, regardless ofwhat anyone

maysay,no rapistshouldbe walkingthestreetstobeable to make the victim uncomfortable or contaminate the casewith intimidationor threats, whichtoo many timesdetermine theoutcome. No one who is unequivocally foundguilty should have avery longtime toreflect, and only be released whenhecannotrapeagain.

Here are the Iran war’s biggest unknowns, from Tehran’s new leader to oil prices

HOW long will the Iran war last? What do all sides want to achieve? And how high will oil prices go? Big questions remain as fighting enters week two.

Israel and the United States keep pounding Iran. And Iran keeps carrying out retaliatory attacks against Israel, US military assets in the Middle East and its Arab neighbours.

Here’s what we know about the war, and don’t. How long will the war last?

The US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, and there is no sign of the fighting ending soon. Iran’s president has said mediation was underway, although he didn’t give details.

Iran’s new supreme leader is the son of the previous one and seen as more hard-line, with close ties to the Revolutionary Guard, the nation’s most powerful armed force. Mojtaba Khamenei worked closely with his father, who was killed in the war’s opening strikes along with the younger Khamenei’s wife. He has not been seen or heard publicly in his new role, making it difficult to know whether he has interest in talks or in defiance.

Iran’s war strategy of causing regional chaos shows no change. Persian Gulf countries still report areas being attacked, including oil facilities and airports, that are well away from US military assets.

The war’s length depends in part on Iran’s stockpile of missiles and drones and countries’ capability to deflect them. Israel’s military on Monday said Iran was firing barrages with dozens of missiles in the early days, but now there are less than 10 or 20 at a time.

Israeli army spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said Iran still has “a significant amount” of missiles.

Experts say Iran could be holding missiles in reserve, perhaps hoping that interceptors run low.

Iran has not provided information about military losses. Israel says it is focused on destroying longrange missiles while the US focuses on short-range ones threatening the Gulf. Israel estimates that 60% of both types of launchers have been destroyed.

Israel’s military is bulking up. It said about 50 cargo aircraft carrying over 1,000 tons of weaponry, military equipment and munitions have landed in the past 10 days, and cited the US and Germany as partners in an effort that is “expected to scale up.”

Ahead of the attacks, the US military built up its largest force of warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. The Central Command on Monday said “there is no shortage of American military will.”

The Trump administration and Israel have said the war will go as long as needed, but public frustration over oil prices and other economic pain could intensify pressure to wind

down the conflict.

What do all sides want from the war?

Iran has said it wants an end to the war, not a ceasefire.

An official with knowledge of the war’s operations said Israel is not in charge of the postwar plan, but the goal is to remove the regime and let Iranians “grasp their fate.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Israel is also attacking Iranian-backed proxies like Hezbollah.

US President Donald Trump has made conflicting statements. The war has been about Iran’s nuclear program and concerns that it could take a short technical step to enrich uranium to weapons grade. But it also has been about eradicating the threat from the country’s ballistic missiles, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US is “well on our way” to achieving.

Trump has also said he doesn’t seek regime change, but prioritized taking out several layers of Iran’s top

leadership and has encouraged Iranians to “take over” their government.

There is no sign of that happening in Iran, with no strong organized opposition, evidence of high-level defections or street protests. Internet restrictions are complicating views of what’s happening. Will other countries join the fight?

Saudi Arabia has issued a sharp statement saying Tehran would be the “biggest loser” if it continues to attack Arab states. Azerbaijan threatened “retaliatory measures” after it said Iranian drones hit its territory.

There is big risk in joining the US and Israel’s attacks, and no country has announced taking that step. Already, they have been targeted by hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones. Iran has exposed the fragility of the global economy by targeting key energy and other infrastructure. A drone strike on a desalination plant in Bahrain underscored the vulnerability of Gulf nations, which rely heavily

Trump administration criticises court rulings slowing immigration agenda in Supreme Court appeal

WASHINGTON Associated Press

THE Trump administration is criticizing lower court judges who have slowed its efforts to strip legal protections from a broad swath of migrants living in the US It’s asking the Supreme Court to clear the way for moves that could expose thousands more people to deportation.

The Justice Department wants a broad ruling that would let it move more quickly to end legal protections for migrants from multiple countries, including Haiti and Syria, according to a letter sent to the high court on Monday.

The Trump administration argues that the federal government has the authority to end temporary protected status as it sees fit, without intervention from the courts. But lower courts have

disagreed, including a judge in Washington D.C. that found “hostility to nonwhite immigrants” likely played a role in the decision to end protections for Haitians. An appeals court upheld the decision. The Supreme Court, though, has sided with the Trump administration on the issue before, allowing the termination of protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans to proceed amid litigation. It was part of a series of wins for Trump on the Supreme Court’s short-term emergency docket that have allowed him to move ahead with key parts of his agenda. Now the administration is asking for a ruling finding that courts can’t question the Department of Homeland Security moves that come amid a wider mass deportation effort.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer said the lower-court judges have shown

“persistent disregard” for the court’s earlier emergency-docket decisions, part of a cycle that looks “likely to repeat again and again unless and until this Court steps in.”

He appealed a ruling keeping protections for Syrian immigrants last month, and said Monday he plans to appeal another decision affecting about 350,000 Haitians.

A group of more than 175 former judges has also weighed in, arguing that emergency-docket rulings are not settled law and the court should allow the normal appeals process to play out.

The protections for Haitians were first granted in 2010 after a catastrophic earthquake and has been extended multiple times.

The country is still racked by gang violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Homeland Security

on such facilities for drinking water.

Meanwhile, France is sending military vessels to the Middle East to help deter Iran’s attacks. Britain and Germany also have said they would help reduce Iran’s ability to launch them. And Ukraine is sending experts to help in countering drones. How will it end?

This is especially complicated, as both Israel and the United States have threatened whoever Iran puts in charge. Trump called the younger Khamenei “unacceptable” even before his elevation to supreme leader.

It is not clear who would be acceptable, and negotiating the war’s end seems out of reach for now.

Trust will be difficult, since this war and last year’s were launched during indirect talks between Iran and the United States. How high will oil prices go?

As Iran announced its new supreme leader, crude oil prices were soaring above $100 a barrel. They spiked near $120 before falling Monday.

The Strait of Hormuz off Iran is a choke point, with about 20% of the world’s oil supply normally transiting daily. Cargo ships are now backed up there.

Saudi Arabia has intercepted attacks aimed at its vast Shaybah oil field. Bahrain’s national oil company has declared force majeure for shipments, unable to meet obligations because of extraordinary circumstances after an attack on its refinery complex. Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have cut oil production as storage tanks fill.

Iran’s oil facilities are also targets. Israel struck depots over the weekend. Countries are scrambling. France, currently leading the Group of Seven nations, says they could dip into emergency stockpiles. South Korea says it will cap oil prices. China says everyone has a responsibility “to ensure stable and smooth energy supplies.”

Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FxPro, said it “would not be surprising” if oil prices briefly push above $150 as early as next week.

Jury selection begins in Florida for four charged in 2021 assassination of Haitian president

MIAMI Associated Press

JURY selection began Monday in the US federal trial of four men charged in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla and James Solages are charged with conspiring in South Florida to kidnap or kill Haiti’s former leader, plus related charges. They face possible life sentences. They all pleaded not guilty. Christian Sanon was set to go on trial, but his attorney confirmed Monday that Sanon’s case was severed from the others because of medical reasons. A separate trial for Sanon will be scheduled for a later date.

says that conditions have improved and denied racial animus played a role.

Attorneys for the Haitian migrants, though, say “people will almost certainly die” if the Trump administration ends the program.

Temporary protected status can be granted by the Homeland Security secretary if conditions in home countries are deemed unsafe for return due to a natural disaster, political instability or other dangers. It is granted in 18-month increments and does not provide a legal pathway to citizenship.

The Department of Homeland Security has also terminated protections for about 600,000 Venezuelans, 6,100 Syrians, 60,000 people from Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal, more than 160,000 Ukrainians and thousands of people from Afghanistan and Cameroon.

The trial against all five defendants was previously set for last year, but US District Judge Jacqueline Becerra in Miami agreed to delay the case because of discovery challenges and the large volume of evidence.

Five others have already pleaded guilty in the conspiracy and are serving life sentences. A sixth person, who officials believe didn’t know about the assassination plot, was sentenced to nine years behind bars after pleading guilty to providing body armour to the conspirators.

Moïse was killed on July 7, 2021, when about two dozen foreign mercenaries, mostly from Colombia, attacked his home near Port-au-Prince, officials said. Moïse’s wife, Martine, was wounded during the attack and flown to the US for emergency treatment. According to court documents, South Florida served as a central location for planning and financing the plot to oust Moïse and

replace him with someone of the conspirators’ choosing.

Ortiz and Intriago were principals of Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy and Counter Terrorist Unit Security, collectively known as CTU, and Veintemilla was a principal of Worldwide Capital Lending Group. Both companies were based in South Florida.

Sanon is a dual Haitian-American citizen who investigators say was initially favoured by the conspirators to replace Moïse. Solages was a CTU representative in Haiti who coordinated with Sanon and others, officials said. The conspirators met in South Florida in April 2021 and agreed that, once in power, Sanon would award contracts to CTU for infrastructure projects, security forces and military equipment, investigators said. Worldwide Capital agreed to help finance the coup, extending a $175,000 line of credit to CTU and sending money to co-conspirators in Haiti to purchase ammunition, officials said.

CTU initially retained about 20 Colombian nationals with military training to provide security for Sanon. But by June 2021, the conspirators realized Sanon had neither the constitutional qualifications nor sufficient popular support to become president. They then backed Wendelle Coq Thélot, a former Haitian Superior Court judge. She died in January 2025 while still a fugitive. Besides the 11 people arrested and prosecuted in the US, another 20, including 17 Colombian soldiers and three Haitian officials, face charges in Haiti. Gang violence, death threats and a crumbling judicial system have stalled an ongoing investigation.

New computers, new opportunities for SWells students

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

STUDENTS at Samuel GuyPinderAllGradeSchool in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera are gaining greater access to digital learningafter receiving five new computers that willhelp expandtechnologyuse intheirclassroomsandcomputerlabs.

The equipmentwill allow morestudents toparticipate in computer science activities,research, anddigital learning experiencesthat supporttheiracademicdevelopmentand preparethemfor futureopportunitiesineducationandtheworkforce.

The computers were presented bythe DrBobby and Julie BakerFoundation, throughits charitableinitiative ComputersWith A Cause.

The donation follows discussions heldin December when Gail Mullin, the school s Director of Computer Scienceshighlighted the school’s needforadditional technology to ensure everystudent couldaccess

modern computerresources during scheduledcomputer labsessions.

School officialssay the new deviceswill strengthen the school’s computerscience programby providing fasterandmorereliabletechnology for studentsto use duringlessons.

Ms Mullinexpressed excitementabout theupgrade, notingthatthenewmachines are significantly faster and will allowstudents tocomplete digitalassignments, explore educational software, and build skills that are increasingly important in today’s technology-driven world.

DrBobby Bakersaidthe goalofthedonationistohelp close thedigital gapmany schools faceand toensure students havethe toolsthey needtogrowacademically.

Henotedthatincreasedaccess to technologyhelps students develop the knowledge and confidence needed to pursuefurther educationand careers in technology-related fields.

Thepresentation alsowelcomedRickCurryofSpanish Wells,who attendedthe

event as thenewest advisory board member for the Computers With ACause program, representing the Bahamas andthe wider Caribbeanregion. His involvement is expected to help strengthen partnerships and expand opportunities fortechnology support inschools throughouttheregion.

Julie Baker said the family’s connectionto Spanish Wells has grown sincepurchasing ahomeon Russell Islandabout ayear ago. Shesaid thekindness andhospitality ofthelocal community inspiredthem to findwaysto giveback,particularlybysupportingtheisland sstudentsandschools.

The foundation’s ComputersWith ACauseinitiativefocusesonimprovingaccess totechnology forstudents and communities that needitmost.

The program works to removebarriers todigitaleducationby providingcomputersandresourcesthathelp students buildskills, expand learning opportunities, and prepare for a technology-focusedfuture.

The initiative operates under the broader mission of theDrBobbyandJulieBaker Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports education, healthcare,community organizations,and vulnerable individuals through charitableprograms and outreach effortsaimed at strengthening communities andempowering futuregenerations.

Green school receives $50K grant to expand environmental education

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

STUDENTS atHarbour Island Green Schoolin Dunmore Town, Harbour Island, are set tobenefit from expanded environmentaland experientiallearningafterthe school received a $50,000 grantfromthe Bob&Jeanne CoughlinFoundation.

The awardincludes a dollar-for-dollar matching challengethatcouldraisethe totalsupportto$100,000,encouraging communitymembersand supporterstocontribute toward strengthening the school’s programs and long-termgrowth.

Foundedin 2019,Harbour Island GreenSchool serves students fromkindergarten through gradenine andcombinestraditionalacademicinstruction withhands-on learningconnectedtothenaturalenvironment ofHarbour IslandandEleuthera.

Students regularly leave theclassroom toexploresurrounding ecosystems, studying marinelife, coastal habitats,andtheuniquelandscapes ofthe islandswhile buildingskills inscience,research, and environmental awareness.

School leaders saythe approach hasproduced strong academic outcomes alongside meaningfulreal-world learningexperiences.

Director and Principal Will Simmonsnoted thatthe school’sstudentsconsistently perform well academically, withaBJCnationalexaminationpass rateexceeding90 percent

He saidthe school’s teaching modelallows studentstomovebeyondthetraditional classroomsetting and engage directlywith the worldaround them,creating adeeperunderstandingofthe subjectstheystudy. Environmental education plays a centralrole in the school’scurriculum.MrSimmons saidlearning aboutthe oceanandcoastalecosystems is particularlyimportant in The Bahamas, where marine environmentsshape boththe culture and economy of the islands. Through fieldworkin mangroves,reefs, andsea-

grass beds,students gain firsthandexperiencestudying marine biodiversity and understanding therole these ecosystemsplayinprotecting the islands and supporting life. The grant from the Coughlin Foundation will support theschool’s operationsandhelp expanditsexperiential learningmodel. The matchingchallenge meansthat everydollardonated by supporterswill be matched by the Foundation, doublingthe impactofcommunity contributionsand helping the school reach its $100,000goal.

Women’s Day Church Service

Fresh Creek students show off their talents