03312026 NEWS

WOMAN & HEALTH

‘FNM WILL GIVE SINGLE MOMS $200 MONTHLY’

TO GET SECOND AMBULANCE UNIT

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune

Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH officials plan to deploy at least two ambulances on larger Family Islands, including Exuma, as they work to address response challenges highlighted by recent incidents. Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the ministry is working through the logistics to expand coverage, particularly around Georgetown,

Scott calls for foreign election observers

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FNM senior adviser Michael Scott, KC, is calling for international observers to monitor this year’s general election, citing what he said are mounting concerns

about the integrity of the voter register.

Mr Scott, a council member and senior attorney who said he plans to work the polls, made the appeal as he pointed to what he described as a

Hunt: Party proposes childcare stipend for new single mothers

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement is proposing to provide $200 per month to new single mothers, a plan the party says would cost between $12m and $14m annually and be funded by cutting government spending. Elizabeth Estates candidate Heather Hunt said the initiative would target Bahamian mothers in single-income households, particularly those who are unmarried or in lower

income brackets. The Tribune contacted Ms Hunt to expand on the proposal, which she described as a “child support initiative” aimed at helping women in the first two years after giving birth.

“It’s targeted at a specific group of mothers who find themselves after having children, it’s difficult to get back to work and get back to a normal earning capacity because childcare are expensive,” she said, adding the support would apply to unmarried mothers and

TENNIS STAR RAFAEL NADAL JOINS ‘SAVE EXUMA’ FIGHT

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

RETIRED tennis legend

Rafael Nadal has backed a coalition of Exuma residents opposing a proposed resort development, warning that a key marine area is at risk and elevating the dispute beyond local opposition.

In a social media post to his 21 million Instagram followers, Mr Nadal called for support to protect the island’s natural environment while wearing apparel from the Save Exuma Alliance, a group of local businesses and conservationists campaigning against the Yntegra Rosewood project in the Exuma Cays. He said he first discovered Exuma a decade ago and has since formed a strong connection to the island.

“Today, I am here in

$14m FNM plan gives single mothers $200 monthly

“That’s for the single mother who would have given birth and is not married, so doesn’t have the support of a husband to take care of or help her take care of expenses, and it’s also for low income mothers”

GB voter registration up, but address transfers lag

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A SURGE in voter registration and biometric verification in Grand Bahama has not been matched by turnout from voters needing to transfer their information, a senior elections official said.

Assistant Parliamentary Commissioner Denise Pinder said registration centres have seen a sharp increase in activity in recent weeks, with long lines, extended hours and rising demand.

“The registration and the verification process for the biometric card have seen a significant increase over the past three to four weeks,” she said. “But within the last week, all centers have been extremely busy. We extended hours to 9pm, and we are going beyond 9 at the centers.”

She said between 60 and 100 people visit the Parliamentary Registration Department office in Freeport each day, with many completing registration and verification in one visit.

Despite that, she said transfers remain a concern, particularly for voters affected by boundary changes.

“We even went doorto-door in all of those areas, handing out fliers and explaining to persons the importance of coming in and changing, but the response has not been as great as we'd like,” she said.

Ms Pinder said officials have been urging voters who have moved since the 2021 general election, or who were affected by constituency changes, to update their information.

“We wish more of those persons would have come in,” she said. “You need to come in and transfer your address otherwise you could be challenged when you go to vote because you're not where you should be.”

She outlined several changes affecting voters in Central Grand Bahama, Pineridge and West Grand Bahama. In Central Grand Bahama, polling divisions two and ten were reassigned to West Grand Bahama and are now polling divisions 11 and 12. Other divisions in the Bahamia, Hunters and Mack Town areas have also been renumbered.

In Pineridge, the boundary for polling division 13 has been extended beyond

Wentworth Drive to East Mall past the old Princess Towers, affecting residents on the eastern side of the road.

Further changes in West Grand Bahama follow the separation of Bimini into its own constituency with the Berry Islands. As a result, polling divisions have been renumbered and the constituency name changed.

“Because the Bimini part was dropped, it's just West Grand Bahama, and they need that name on the cards,” Ms Pinder said.

She said officials have conducted radio campaigns, distributed printed flyers and carried out doorto-door visits to inform residents of the changes.

To reduce confusion on election day, signage will be placed at polling stations showing both old and new polling divisions.

“We encourage people, if you need to come so changes can be done, please come in,” she said. Ms Pinder also urged first-time registrants, particularly in Freeport, to provide complete address details, including block numbers.

“The most important thing when persons come into register for the first time is that they know

exactly where they live,” she said.

“In the past we've requested the power bill for persons, particularly in the Freeport area, because in the Freeport area on many of the streets, numbers occur multiple times.

“If you look at your power bill, you see something saying Block. So sometimes there are five number ones on the same street. You have to give us a block number.

Most persons are not familiar with their block numbers. And the power company is the only utility company that puts it on there, and that helps us.”

Registration services in Freeport operate from 9.30am to 4pm, with evening centres running from 5:30pm to 9pm, often extending beyond those hours due to demand.

In Eight Mile Rock, services are available at the Obadiah Wilchcombe Complex from 10am to 3pm and again from 5.30pm to 9pm. Mobile teams are also deployed throughout the week across several locations.

Ms Pinder said adjustments may be made during Holy Week, with earlier evening openings

one

low-income households.

“That’s for the single mother who would have given birth and is not married, so doesn’t have the support of a husband to take care of or help her take care of expenses, and it’s also for low income mothers,” she said.

Ms Hunt said the party estimates the programme would cost “$12 to $14 million a year” and could be financed by reducing what she described as wasteful government spending.

“We’ve seen demonstrated waste in this government: the exorbitant travel expenses, and the very, very high cost of consultancy services, just to name two, but there would be other areas of waste where we believe that we can extract $12 to $14 million per year to just give support to the women that need it,” she said.

Asked about existing support for single-income households, Ms Hunt said it has not been adequate.

“I don’t think that there’s been satisfactory support,” she said, pointing to cuts to food assistance and what she described as “very little results” from commitments to construct shelters for women and girls.

She said the programme is intended to help women return to work.

“This is why this particular program is so important, so that women can get back to work, live with decency and dignity, knowing that they have support to become reintegrated into the labour force,” she said.

Ms Hunt said the proposal forms part of the party’s broader policy platform ahead of the next election.

In response to the FNM, Latrae Rahming, director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the opposition “has a credibility problem” and lacks the ability to deliver on its promises.

FNM cites register fears, demands observers

growing list of irregularities in the electoral process.

Among them, he said, are reports of deceased people remaining on the register and voters who have relocated still assigned to their former constituencies.

He said he was told this week that 425 people who left Garden Hills were still listed there, while 234 deceased people remained on the register in MICAL. He said the cases were not isolated.

Mr Scott is the latest FNM figure to raise concerns about the register following similar complaints after last year’s Golden Isles by-election.

“What I’m suggesting is that a flawed register, while it does not prove wrongdoing, it creates the opportunity for it and that must be unacceptable in a democracy,” he said. “And so at the end of the day, this is not about politics. It’s about confidence.”

Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson said he was unaware of the specific allegations, calling it the first time he had heard of them.

He said the department continues to clean the register daily, including working through a list of deceased voters recently received from the Registrar General.

“We’re doing our endeavour best to make sure we have a clean register for when election is called,” Mr Thompson said. Mr Scott also criticised long wait times at voter registration sites, describing them as unacceptable.

He claimed a party candidate who took first-time voters to register on Saturday was delayed because he wore a red shirt. Some voters reported waiting up to four hours, describing a slow, paper-based process that struggled to keep pace with demand.

Mr Thompson acknowledged the delays and said additional staff are being deployed to reduce wait times.

“It’s many factors,” he said, “but we’re increasing the manpower to try to ensure we can do what we can to mitigate it.”

Mr Scott said broader

reforms are needed, warning that a permanent register without an automatic cleansing system becomes a “permanent repository of error.”

He said FNM representatives have been visiting registration centres across New Providence and auditing daily printouts to ensure records are accurate.

“That’s tedious, but it’s not our responsibility,” he added. “This is the responsibility of the government.”

He also raised concerns about what he described as an “influx of voters” from the southeast, accusing authorities of using the group to “form an extra cadre of voters.”

He said the party lacks confidence in the process, particularly with the expected dissolution of Parliament approaching.

International observer missions, including those from the Organisation of American States and the Commonwealth, have historically monitored Bahamian elections, praising their credibility while noting systemic weaknesses.

“There is no time to fix the system,” Mr Scott said. “We can only ensure transparency and oversight. That is why international observers are now essential. If the process is sound, scrutiny will confirm it. If it is now, the people deserve to know.”

Mitchell: Fixed election dates are ‘not on the agenda’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell signalled that fixed election dates are not a priority for the Davis administration, responding to calls Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears made during his farewell address in the House of Assembly last week.

His comments came Friday, shortly after Parliament was prorogued, and followed remarks by Mr Sears during Wednesday’s final sitting urging reforms to how elections are timed and financed.

Mr Sears urged Parliament to adopt fixed election dates and create campaign finance rules, arguing both are needed to strengthen governance.

“I have other concerns, such as campaign finance reform, so that we protect

the integrity of our political process, because the wealthiest people in the world live right here,” he said. “We should always ensure that the money do not determine the outcome, but the will of the people determines, because they’re the sovereigns and that we should have a fixed election date so that we bring certainty to the business of our country.”

The Davis administration has repeatedly indicated that campaign finance reform is not a priority, even though the party promised it in its pre-election manifesto. As for fixed election dates, Mr Mitchell said such constitutional changes are not on the government’s agenda as it prepares for an election.

“These are constitutional reform issues,” he said.

“I think that ought to be left to the larger question.

Certainly, that's one argument that people put but at the moment, that's not on the agenda.”

He said the focus is on presenting the party’s record and plans to voters as the term appears to be ending.

“At the moment, we have a term which is it appears may be coming to an end,” he said. “We need to face the electorate with the things which we offer going forward and that is stability, continuity, good governance, growth in the economy, young people getting an opportunity to invest and improve their country, fighting crime; those are the issues that we'll be going to the Bahamian public with.”

Pressed on whether fixed election dates would be a priority in a new term, Mr Mitchell said constitutional reform is complex and unlikely to top the agenda.

Save Exuma Alliance gains high-profile support from tennis legend Rafael Nadal

Bay,” he said. “Honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful place here in the Exumas. The nature, the peacefulness, all the natural resources that are here are just difficult to compare with something else.

“And while here, I learned about the Save Exuma Alliance, locals and conservationists working to protect all of this. What they are doing really matters and I hope you will support and follow them to protect the reefs, sea grass and sea

life in this bay that’s at risk today. Let’s preserve what makes Exuma so special.”

The Miami-based Yntegra Group, which is behind the proposed Rosewood Exuma resort on East Sampson Cay, has been in a public dispute with the alliance for nearly a year.

Opponents have described the development as “vastly oversized” and warned that a planned service dock in North Bay could damage coral reefs, disrupt tidal flow and harm marine life.

However, the Town Planning Committee said

in a March 25 letter that the “scale of proposed dredging and associated works” is “limited” and can be mitigated by existing regulations.

The committee also granted the project “preliminary support of application” for site plan approval, noting that its “dispersed” layout would “maintain the natural character” of Big Sampson Cay. Tribune Business understands that opponents of the project are expected to appeal the decision to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.

Creators leave influencer conference with lingering monetisation questions

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

QUESTIONS about how Bahamian creators will earn from their content lingered after the government’s 242 Influencers and Creative Conference, with some attendees leaving without clear answers on monetisation.

The event, held Sunday at Baha Mar, brought together emerging influencers and established creators, including some with followings exceeding 100,000. The government said it aimed to unlock earning opportunities in a sector where Bahamians face long-standing barriers on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

While some attendees welcomed the conference as a step forward, others said it fell short, arguing there is still no structured plan to help Bahamians tap into the digital economy in the same way creators in the United States do.

Patrick Robinson II, a content creator since 2013, photographer and artist, said the event felt like a “pep rally,” with speakers repeating familiar advice about authenticity, consistency and engagement.

“I was hoping there would be a question-and-answer segment where creatives could have had a dialogue with those present, but that was not the case,” he said, adding that many attendees felt the conference did not match expectations.

Another digital creator, Rukcus Mann, described the event as a “Bahamian Content Creator Pacifier.” He said some useful information was shared and that issues around gatekeeping were raised, but key concerns were glossed over.

“In general, Bahamian creators are not really respected for our craft and contributions to Bahamian culture,” he said. “Many of us have been told to go and get a ‘real job’ and our respective crafts and disciplines are generally seen as a frivolous waste of time.”

The government does not control major social media platforms, most of which are based in the United States, limiting the reach and earning potential of Bahamian creators. Algorithms often favour US-based content, leaving local creators largely confined to domestic audiences.

Prime Minister Philip Davis, in his keynote address, said he will direct government agencies to hire Bahamian influencers for public information campaigns, with dedicated funding. He also said the government is engaging with platforms to help Bahamians earn income.

Rukcus Mann, however, questioned the timing of the conference, which comes just ahead of the next general election. He suggested the event was used to build public support.

“Mr Prime Minister wasn't shy about it,” he said, adding that the initiative felt conditional.

He said the creative community also shares responsibility for limited monetisation, noting that while some take the industry seriously, others do not.

“Too many us focus on the show and entertainment, and not enough of us focus on business and industry and it shows.”

The conference featured presentations by CAPAS, AI for Creators and The 4 Cs Framework for Creator Success. A panel on building domestic brand power included Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper.

Some attendees praised a panel featuring Bahamian influencers Baha Yogi, Vocab, Das Quay, Bodine and Zhane'o, who spoke about achieving financial success.

Others said they left still questioning how most creators would be able to monetise their work.

Content creator Magaso242, who also streams on Twitch, said some panels were useful, but key questions remained unanswered. He said he later spoke with Ambassador-at-Large for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Greg Michelier, who offered some reassurance that efforts are underway.

“The mixer was where I was able to meet and discuss things with people, so it wasn't a total loss,” he said. He also criticised a panel featuring the deputy prime minister, saying its focus on tourism content was expected but disappointing.

‘Ask them’: DPM deflects as Grand Lucayan update deadline passes

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper yesterday declined to address the missed deadline for an update on the Grand Lucayan redevelopment, directing questions to the developer as scrutiny grows over the project’s timeline.

“I think you should reach out to Concord and get their statement,” Mr Cooper said on the sidelines of an event. “I think they indicated they would make a further statement. Feel free to reach out with them directly. I have no more comments on it.”

His response comes about a month after US-based developer Concord Wilshire said it would provide key project details “within the next two weeks”. That statement, issued on February 23, set a

self-imposed deadline around March 9. No update has been issued. In its February 23 statement, Concord Wilshire pushed back against reports that its $120m deal with the government to purchase the Grand Lucayan Resort had collapsed.

“Concord Wilshire further confirms that within the next two weeks, the company will announce the formal commencement of development and construction activities, including: Two major cruise line destination resorts; and the official start date for site demolition and preparatory construction works,” the company said. No such announcement has followed. The February statement remains the developer’s only public update since it signed a Heads of Agreement with the government in May 2025. At the time, the Office

of the Prime Minister also dismissed claims that the deal had fallen through. Last month, Prime Minister Philip Davis urged patience when asked about the project.

“You heard from the developer himself,” he said.

“He’s put forward what is happening. I have nothing to add other than we are progressing, and the Grand Bahamian people will be the better for it.”

The Davis administration signed the Heads of Agreement with Concord Wilshire in May 2025 for the sale and redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan, later confirming the purchase price at $120m. The project is expected to create 1,300 construction jobs and more than 1,700 permanent positions.

The resort has remained largely closed since Hurricane Matthew in 2016, with only the Lighthouse Pointe section reopening.

Exuma tragedy sparks plan to expand island ambulance fleets

EMT from page one

where long distances can limit the effectiveness of a single ambulance. His comments follow the death of 29-year-old Deno Rolle on Exuma. His family said he died after waiting nearly an hour for an ambulance following a hit-and-run, raising questions about whether the delay contributed to his death.

Dr Darville said Exuma does have ambulance services but acknowledged the island’s size presents challenges.

“We are now working the logistics on how to have at least two ambulances on our larger islands, for the logistics in the event of action and movement for individuals that may be further away, particularly in the Georgetown clinic, and

so the resident could rest assure that the one ambulance that is in existence has to be expanded to at least two,” he said.

He said ambulances acquired through Inter-American Development Bank funding are being deployed across the Family Islands alongside newly trained emergency medical technicians.

“We are lucky that we just got a cohort of EMT

specialists who graduated from the PHA Academy that are going through their final training, and most of them will be deployed to our Family Islands. We want to make sure that the ambulance arrive,” he said.

“The maintenance programme is in place. We have an EMT operator, our nurses and doctors are fully familiar with how the system work so that we will provide excellent

Upgraded $2m National Reference Lab expected to expand disease surveillance

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE National Reference Laboratory will move into a new, purpose-built facility at Oaks Field by the end of May, replacing operations long housed in a building dating back to the 1870s, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said.

The move shifts the lab from the former Royal Victoria Hotel to a modern facility supported by the Inter-American Development Bank.

The new building cost just under $2 million to construct and forms part of a wider IDB-backed health systems programme involving several million dollars in investment.

National Reference Laboratory director Dr Indira Martin said the upgrade will improve working conditions and expand the

lab’s capacity. She also said the country lacked genetic sequencing capability during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since received equipment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pan American Health Organisation, allowing the lab to carry out sequencing.

“We're currently sequencing for COVID-19 as well as influenza variants,” she said.

“We're about to expand that to dengue to look at the various strains of dengue in country. More importantly, we're going to use this data to not only look at the strains, but to actually compile a picture of how viruses are moving through The Bahamas archipelago. That will allow us, from the policy standpoint, to be able to intervene, hopefully more readily should any virus come in country. So it provides greater

epidemiological intelligence on the whole to the surveillance system.”

Dr Darville said the project has been in development for several years, with furniture on the way and equipment to be transferred from the current location.

“All the licenses have improved for this accredited lab, and we are finally in a place where our staff can grow and we can begin now to offer more services in the country,” he said.

“The national reference lab is very important for our country. We've been boasting of tourism in the excess of 12 million and that requires a lot of surveillance for airborne as well as water borne diseases.”

He said the transition will be phased to keep the lab operational.

“Dr Martin and her team to be in this facility by the end of May, the latest, all

the licenses have been approved. The construction work is complete, and the process of moving from one location to the next is strategic, because you don't want to shut the lab down completely. So we're moving in phases so that the lab remains open while they are making a transition into this new space.”

Shirley Gayle, the IDB’s country representative to The Bahamas, said the bank is pleased with the project’s progress and its role in strengthening the country’s health system.

“We are anticipating very much the finalisation of the works and the full opening of the reference lab. The IDB is particularly pleased to have been able to support the people of The Bahamas in the strengthening of their health systems, and in putting in place critical health infrastructure such as this,” she said.

ground transportation on the island.”

Dr Darville said ambulances are already in place on several islands, including Bimini, Cat Island and San Salvador, with further deployment tied to available trained staff.

“We have an ambulance in Bimini,” he said. “We have one in Cat Island. We have one in San Salvador, and the list goes on and on. They are moving as the

manpower resources are trained so that they can be useful and not just sitting on the Family Islands unproductive.”

He said efforts to expand services must balance cost and sustainability, noting the expense of training personnel and maintaining resources.

He added the ministry is working to ensure any expansion is practical and sustainable.

Govt signs pre-contract for new $70m Glass Window Bridge

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE government has signed a pre-contract for a new Glass Window Bridge in North Eleuthera, advancing a $70m project financed through a loan from UK Export Finance.

Officials said preliminary works valued at $400,000 will begin first, ahead of the main construction phase, which is expected to take about two years. Ministry of Works director Robert Mouzas said the early works are intended to keep the project on schedule while funding approvals are finalised.

"We're looking to wrap up that process within the next few months, so this is why we decided to do some pre works so as to

be able to complete the project as quickly as possible," he said. "Phase one, enabling works, is for two to three months. The main project is two years, so when we have a start date, we'll obviously publicize that, but I'm hoping if the funding approvals go to plan, it'll be either June or July of this year."

Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting said the preliminary phase will allow engineers to confirm ground conditions and reduce construction risks before full build-out begins.

He said the bridge is critical infrastructure, linking North and South Eleuthera and supporting residents, businesses, tourists and emergency services.

"We want to ensure that we maintain between these phases to improve efficiency and reduce construction risk at the project

as the project progresses," Mr Sweeting said. “The Glass Window Bridge is far more than a landmark. It is the only vehicular link connecting North and South Eleuthera, and it plays a vital role in the daily movement of residents, business, tourists, and emergency services across the island for many years.”

He said the existing structure has long faced challenges from ocean swells, with waves from the Atlantic side sometimes forcing temporary closures.

"In its current state, when a rough sea occurs, the bridge must often be temporarily closed as large waves crash across the roadway from the Atlantic side,” he said. “The new bridge has been designed to address these challenges."

Officials said the current bridge is expected to remain

largely open during construction, with disruptions mainly tied to weather conditions.

The new bridge will be built about 60 feet west of the existing alignment and elevated roughly 16 feet higher to reduce wave overtopping. It will span about 200 feet and include two traffic lanes and pedestrian sidewalks, allowing swells to pass beneath the structure.

The design includes multiple spans and extended approaches, with coastal modelling used to account for sea level rise and harsh Atlantic conditions.

Mr Sweeting said the bridge will be managed by the Bridge Authority once completed, marking the first time a Family Island bridge will fall under its control following legislative changes.

The project also includes an

expansion of Hatchet Bay to support large construction loads and upgrades to surrounding road infrastructure.

Bridge Authority general manager Vanden Longley said the area will also see further development. "Currently, its mainly just a look out point," he said. “People visit it just to see the ocean on both sides, but there'll be further development along with the project to create a touristic village around it with restrooms, parking facilities, some shopping, a picnic area, so its going to be a lovely development to be completed.”

Mr Sweeting said the project has been in development for two years and is not tied to the political calendar, adding that infrastructure work will continue regardless of parliamentary status.

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Passing the buck on Grand Lucayan

WHAT sound do you hear when you hear someone passing the buck?

Is it the whoosh of air as it passes by the ear unheeded. Is it the crash of the ball being dropped?

If you listen closely, you can hear the sound of your choice as a backdrop to the words of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper when he was asked for an update on the Grand Lucayan.

“I think you should reach out to Concord and get their statement,” he said, referring to the developer Concord Wilshire. “I think they indicated they would make a further statement,” he added. And yes, he is right, they did, though the time they said they would make a statement in has come and gone without so much as a further whisper.

“Feel free to reach out with them directly,” said Mr Cooper. “I have no more comments on it.”

Nothing to say. Move along. Look over there.

It is odd because Mr Cooper had plenty to say when the Concord Wilshire deal for the Grand Lucayan was announced.

He said: ““It has been a day that has been waited for decades by the people here who have seen highs and lows but have shown great resilience. Today is only the start… the future and potential of GB looks bright.”

Mr Cooper’s boss, Prime Minister Philip Davis, was similarly effusive at the time of the deal’s announcement, saying: “Now, finally, you, the people of Grand Bahama will have the development partner you deserve.”

Given how happy Mr Cooper was willing to be close to the Grand Lucayan project when it looked like it was going to be a success, it is a shame he is so reluctant to be near it now that it seems stuck in limbo.

Surely it should not be too much to ask for an update on the state of the Grand Lucayan given how much of a big deal was made of the deal being done.

In recent days, we have heard how the Grand Lucayan’s electricity supply has been cut off – again.

The resort now lacks both power and water due to unpaid bills.

It has been suggested in recent days that the deal is near the point of completion, but the silence surrounding it is

hardly a ringing endorsement of the faith we should have in the project.

The power was turned off when, reportedly, the government failed to make good on a commitment to pay a regular monthly amount. Click, off went the power.

Water has reportedly been off for two months.

So, why not give everyone an update,

Mr Cooper?

Let us be clear on one thing – a successful Grand Lucayan would be important for everyone. No one should be rooting for a failure that would be measured in lost jobs and lost income for Grand Bahama.

This is not our first rodeo when it comes to a developer being brought on board then everything petering out, however. Concord Wilshire has to succeed where its predecessor did not.

It is not the only area where some whooshing of bucks being passed can be heard, however.

FNM senior advisor Michael Scott is lamenting the state of election preparations and the state of the voter registry.

We have heard already of incredibly long delays in the voter registration process, while there are concerns over significant numbers of people not being listed in the areas they are meant to vote. Mr Scott wants broader reforms, and that the FNM is not confident in the process.

The ‘whoosh’ sound here is not from Mr Scott but from the previous years of not fixing the problem.

“There is no time to fix the system,” he said. “We can only ensure transparency and oversight.”

We may be having a slightly earlier election than it could have been – but we are not so far in advance that the nation’s preparations should not have been largely in hand.

We have almost run out of time for this particular fight to improve our standards – but at the very least we ought to be making sure that any issues with the voting process are minimised then promptly put on the to-do list for the first thing the next administration has to do.

The very least we should be doing is making sure that everyone’s vote counts. It is as simple as that. It is a constitutional right. A right, not a request. Anyone not committed to that is simply passing the buck. Listen for it.

Not prepared with love

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THANK you for the space, but I am more inclined if you would decide whether to publish based on content, or not publish but have investigated? Whilst on my trek along Frederick Street earlier today, I happened upon a homeless man and as I approached him, apologising that I didn’t have any money, but by the end of the week it might be better. As I said this, he related a story to me listing several of the outreach ministries (food banks), beginning at the Salvation Army on Mackey Street, he said that one day he presented there for help but was surprised that the operators were Jamaicans, what do you want to do? I would like something to eat!

After a while she brought this plate of rice and some kind of meat, inviting me to sit in the dining room, as he begin to scoop up a spoon the rice mixed with the gravy, he notice this longline slime, he deliberately brought the spoon back to rest on the plate, thank them and walked out of building.

My next stop because I was still in search of something to eat was the Great Commission Wulff Road. He claimed that as he presented there, he was asked by a female what can we do? He told them

that he needed some clothes, shoes and something to eat. Then he overheard a female there speaking to coworkers ‘what he came here for?

These things for sale? He said that he was surprised because he thought the government was giving them stuff for the poor, not to sell to the poor? Editor, I have had my stint with people of foreign nationality. One day I stopped off at a small restaurant to order food, this lady in a green dress was ahead of me, I placed my order, it was white rice fried pork chops, the woman got her order and walked away. I could tell she was going through the packet for the order. Not long, I the lady returned and said she wanted her money back. There were four (4) flies under her meat? As a while she got her refund and left. This made me suspicious, could it be that these people had had a bunch of dead flies and they would have placed any number of these little unsanitary trafficking germs, from place-to-place depositing numerous diseases, under the meat of foods ordered by Bahamians?

Editor, do you know that when I got my order and checked under the pork chops, there were two (2) flies there? I demanded a refund and received it. Just who

Bahamians with Haitian roots must unite

EDITOR, The Tribune. MY fellow Bahamians. I write to you not as a critic, but as someone who shares this beautiful country with you. A country that has become home to us all through different paths, yet calls us to walk forward together. I write because I believe we both want the same thing. A Bahamas where every citizen can stand tall, fully belonging, without having to deny any part of who they are.

Yet I have observed something that troubles me, and I suspect it troubles you as well, though we may name it differently. There is a tension in our community. A pulling in two directions that too often leaves people feeling they must choose between their heritage and their citizenship.

You and I know that many Bahamians of Haitian descent hold deep loyalty to Haitian culture. That loyalty is not the problem. The problem arises when that loyalty becomes a refusal to embrace the Bahamian identity that citizenship confers. This is when Haitian culture is held up as superior and Bahamian culture is spoken of with disdain, even as Bahamian institutions provide the education, healthcare, and economic opportunities that make flourishing possible.

I am speaking with you about this, heart to heart, as I have also done with my children and grandchildren residing in the U.S., who have experienced this. There is a weight of two loyalties. There is an old saying: “No man can serve two masters.” When we try to give our full allegiance to two competing identities - one that says “I am only Haitian” and another that says “I am Bahamian by law, but I reject what that means,” we end up torn.

The mind, seeking to resolve the discomfort, often begins to devalue the very hand that feeds it. It becomes easier to dismiss Bahamian culture as inferior than to accept the vulnerability of saying, “I belong here, and that does not make me less Haitian.”

People

were these people operating on one of the side streets downtown? The information received was that they were all Haitian nationals. So, why does it appear that they hate the Bahamian People? They would insert flies into their meals? Personally, and given the state of affairs with the levels of hatred they have for the Bahamian people, why do we continue to do for them, allow them into our country, when clearly as Father God has said. “they were enemies of the state, quote end quote! Editor, some things must be said no matter who doesn’t want to hear it, and as the saying goes wrongs are amplified when aggrieved people remain silent, quote end quote!

Thank you editor for the opportunity afforded me to be able to make these observations.

NB: Editor, it would surprise me that after your inquiry it is proven that what is being alleged occurring at the Great Commission, Wulff Road turns out to be actual, but in the meantime I remain guarded that the investigation shall reveal whatever might the true facts be?

FRANK GILBERT Nassau, March 23, 2026.

LETTERS

But I believe this division is a trap. And what makes it worse is that there are those in our society, leaders, opportunists, even some who claim to speak for you, who quietly benefit when we remain divided. They gain politically by stirring ethnic loyalties. They profit economically by keeping communities separate, easily managed, and easily mobilised. They exploit the very pain of not belonging to build their own influence. Division becomes their currency. Unity threatens their power.

I do not say this to make you angry, but to ask you to see what I see. The longer we allow ourselves to be pulled into a zero-sum game, where embracing Bahamian identity feels like a betrayal of Haitian roots, the longer we hand our future over to those who have no interest in seeing us truly united.

The Bahamas is a nation of many roots, but one table. If you look honestly at Bahamian history, you will find that almost none of us come from a single, pure line. We are a people shaped by Africa, Europe, the Americas, and yes, Haiti. Our ancestors arrived on different ships, under different circumstances, but over generations they forged something new. A Bahamian identity that did not ask them to forget where they came from, but to build together a place where their children could belong fully.

That is the work that remains unfinished. When we say we should have a united culture, we are not calling for the erasure of Haitian heritage. We are calling for the recognition that Bahamian culture itself is enriched by every stream that flows into it. But unity requires a choice: to add your heritage to the common table, not to stand apart from it and declare the table unworthy.

No country can rise when its people refuse

to see themselves as one people. You have heard the saying: “A nation divided cannot stand.” It is true. But there is another truth, that I developed and hold close. “There is no country that can rise above the least of its citizens.” That means if any Bahamian, whether of Haitian descent, or of any descent is made to feel lesser, unwelcome, or forced to choose between their roots and their citizenship, then we all remain lower than we could be.

This is my invitation and not a demand. I am not asking you to let go of Haitian culture. I am asking you to consider whether the way you hold it, clinging so tightly that you cannot also embrace Bahamian identity, might be serving the very division that keeps us weak. I am asking you to see that becoming Bahamian does not mean becoming less Haitian. It means becoming more fully yourself, with the freedom to belong completely to the place that has given you and your family a future. There are many of us, Bahamians of every background, who want to build a country where no one has to choose. Where a Bahamian of Haitian descent can speak Creole at home, celebrate Haitian heritage, and still stand proudly as a Bahamian without apology or resentment. But that country will only come when enough of us decide that we will not let our identities be used as weapons against each other. I invite you to reflect on this. Not for my sake, but for the sake of the generation coming behind us. Let us be the ones who finally lay down the burden of divided loyalty. Not by forgetting, but by choosing to belong, fully and without shame, to the nation that is ours.

With respect and hope to my nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews of Haitian descent.

A Fellow Bahamian

B AZZAN JOHNSON Freeport, Grand Bahama March 25, 2026.

a govt that serves them

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WRITE today as a concerned citizen who believes deeply in the promise of The Bahamas, yet feels increasingly burdened by a reality we can no longer afford to ignore—corruption and its quiet but devastating grip on our nation’s progress. Corruption is not an abstract concept. It is the reason opportunities feel limited, why systems fail the very people they are meant to serve, and why so many Bahamians struggle to see a fair path forward. It stifles innovation, discourages investment, and erodes public trust. Most importantly, it robs ordinary citizens of dignity and hope.

One area that raises serious questions is the apparent absence—or invisibility—of regulatory bodies that should

be active and accountable. For instance, does the Bahamas Boxing Commission truly exist in a functional, transparent capacity? If it does, where is the evidence of its work, its oversight, and its commitment to athletes?

Fighters put their lives on the line in the ring, yet the public sees little to no assurance that a governing body is actively protecting their interests. If such an institution exists, then it must prove its existence through action, transparency, and accessibility to the people it serves.

This is not just about boxing. It is symbolic of a broader issue: institutions that should serve the public operating in obscurity, or worse, not functioning at all. When accountability disappears, corruption finds fertile ground.

As we approach the 2026 general election, the

question before us is not merely who will lead, but how they will lead. Will they confront corruption directly, or allow it to continue festering beneath the surface? The future of our country depends on leaders who are willing to establish transparency, enforce accountability, and rebuild public trust from the ground up. Stamping out corruption is not optional—it is essential. Without it, no meaningful progress can occur. With it, we open the door to opportunity, fairness, and sustainable growth for all Bohemians. The people of this nation deserve clarity. They deserve institutions that work. And above all, they deserve a government that serves them—not itself.

HWF Nassau, March 24, 2026.

School tour reveals hundreds of students battling suicidal thoughts

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AN evangelist who led a week-long school tour says hundreds of high school students are grappling with suicidal thoughts, abuse and unstable home lives, warning that many are living in “survival mode”.

Beijing Rodgers, founder of the faith-based organisation It’s Our Turn, made the remarks after hosting a Hope Tour across five public schools in New Providence between March 23 and March 27. She said more than 1,200 students came forward during the initiative, many sharing personal struggles and committing to Christianity.

Ms Rodgers said the scale of distress among students was striking. “In those moments they would share with us their hopeless situations at home, a lot of them don't have parents who are actually parenting them,” she said. “So, they live in survival mode.”

She recalled one visit where about 50 students indicated they were experiencing suicidal thoughts. Her team offered prayer and support to those seeking encouragement.

Ms Rodgers said many young people are dealing with responsibilities and trauma beyond their years. “A lot of them have to take care of their younger siblings while their parents are gone, doing whatever

they're doing,” she said. “And some of them live in households where they’re being sexually abused, arrested, raped, physically abused beyond disciplinary action.”

She said the country is facing a crisis among its youth, which she views as a spiritual issue.

The sessions were emotional, with students seen crying, embracing and sharing their experiences.

Ms Rodgers said one 15-year-old girl told her she had planned to take her own life that day if the team had not visited her school.

She said students spoke about struggles linked to violence, abuse, gangs and a lack of peace, adding that many are turning to faith for support.

Judge denies bail for 20-year-old accused in 2025 teen murder

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN awaiting trial for the 2025 murder of an 18-year-old was denied bail yesterday amid concerns he might abscond.

Quintin Hart, 20, appeared before Justice Jeannine Weech Gomez. Prosecutors allege Hart shot and killed Jaheim Rene at McCullough Corner on March 29, 2025, while the victim was walking with another person.

Prosecutor Shaneka Carey argued Hart was not a fit candidate for bail, citing what she described as strong evidence, including identification by two witnesses. She also raised concerns about retaliatory killings involving accused persons released on bail. Hart said he was “hurt” by the prosecution’s position. He maintained his innocence, said he had no prior convictions and claimed to have an alibi. He told the court he previously worked for a

Ms Rodgers also described one session where more than 500 students committed to Christianity, with groups of male students supporting each other.

The initiative involved partnerships with Men

scooter rental company and intended to start his own business if granted bail.

Justice Gomez pointed to the rise in murders and what she described as a “flagrant disregard for life and limb” affecting the community.

She denied bail, finding Hart was not a fit candidate and that no conditions could ensure his return for trial or prevent further offences. She also cited the risk of flight, noting his age and lack of dependants.

Man sent to jail over $63k drug bust

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN found with $63,880 worth of drugs at his home near Joe Farrington Road was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

of Today, Men of Tomorrow, Second Chances, the Student Christian Movement, the Ministry of Education and a mentoring programme.

Schools visited included Anatol Rodgers Junior High School, CR Walker

Prosecutors seek 25 years for mom and daughter in tenant shooting

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

PROSECUTORS argued yesterday that a mother and daughter convicted of attempting to murder two of their tenants on an unnamed Fox Hill road in 2021 should serve 25 years in prison.

The defence urged a shorter sentence of seven years.

by the victims, while the defence said a reduced sentence was appropriate given the women had no prior convictions.

The pair will return to court on May 19 for sentencing. They were convicted in November.

The court heard that the women, along with a male accomplice, attempted to kill Adrian Cooper and Savannah Bain with a handgun on October 21, 2021, on an unnamed road near Komer Street.

Christopher Knowles, 48, was found with 20 pounds of marijuana, 26 THC vape pens and 131 bottles of codeine on March 26. The items were stored in sealed garbage bags throughout the home. Police also seized $492 believed to be the proceeds of crime.

three and a half years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Sergeant 2257 Wilkinson prosecuted.

Knowles pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply before Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms. He told the court he had recently found the drugs in a nearby lot and brought them home. He was sentenced to

$6K BAIL FOR MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING TEENAGER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl was granted bail yesterday.

Pedro Thompson, 36, is accused of inappropriately touching the teenager in New Providence on March 26. He pleaded not guilty to indecent assault before Magistrate Abigail Farrington. Bail was set at $6,000 with one or two sureties. As a condition, Thompson must report to the Fox Hill Police Station every Friday by 7pm. His trial is set for April 30.

MISSING MAN FOUND HANGING FROM TREE IN SUSPECTED SUICIDE

A 46-YEAR-OLD man was found hanging from a tree on Guana Cay, Abaco, after he was reported missing a day earlier.

His mother told police she last saw him around 9am on Sunday before leaving home for church. When she returned around 1pm, she could not find him. She reported that her son suffered from depression, had a history of suicide attempts and had recently been discharged from Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, where he received

psychiatric care. Search efforts were organised later that day.

Around 8am on Monday, the man’s body was discovered hanging from a tree.

A local doctor examined the body and pronounced him dead.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

The discovery comes a year after a similar case on Guana Cay, where a 63-year-old Caucasian man was found hanging from a private dock with an object tied around his neck.

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Michelle Williams, 57, and Glenresha Williams, 37, appeared before Justice Renae McKay for sentencing submissions. Prosecutors pointed to the seriousness of the offence and the anguish suffered

The victims testified that their vehicle was cut off.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Adrian Cooper said he thought he would die after a bullet grazed his face, while Bain said she feared for her life.

Glenresha Williams said she believed the shots came from elsewhere and claimed she did not realise the gunman was in their vehicle until surveillance footage was played in court.

Before the shooting, the defendants had contacted the victims about rent.

T’Shura Ambrose and Ashton Williams prosecuted. Cassie Bethel and Tamika Roberts represented the defendants.

Savannah Bain said Glenresha Williams confronted her outside the vehicles before a male exited the defendants’ vehicle and opened fire.

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Quo vadis, OAS?

Silence undermines the organisation's relevance

THE ORGANIZATION of AmericanStates (OAS)is approaching adefining test, not of its existence, but of its significance.It continuesto meet, tocommemorate events,but failstotackle pressing political issues.

Atatimeofglobalturmoil, economic strain,and mountingpressuresondemocraticgovernance,thesilence of the organizationhas been conspicuous. Issues of real consequence tothe peoples of the Americashave arisen with urgency. Yet the OAS, as a collectivebody, has neither addressedthem directly nor issuedeven amodest statement of concern.

Instead, itsattention has been directedtoward commemorations, someextendingover severaldays. These observances have value,butthey standinstark contrast tothe absenceof engagementon mattersthatdirectly affectthe stability,security, and welfareof the hemisphere.

The impression conveyed is not one of deliberation, but of avoidance.

This silence is not accidental. It reflects an increasing reluctanceamong member states toexpose divisions on difficult issues. Differencesexist and,in some cases, they are deepening.Rather thanconfront them throughdiplomacy, thereappearsto beapreferencetoset themasideand proceedas ifunityremains intact.Itdoesnot.Andtheeffort topreserve theappearanceof consensus,while avoiding its substance, diminishesthe credibilityof the organization.

The OASwas notconceived as a ceremonial body. Its charter assigns it clear purposes, including the strengtheningof peaceand security, the promotion and consolidation ofrepresentative democracy, and the eradication of extreme poverty. These areobligations, not

Iran built a vast camera network to control dissent. Israel turned it into a targeting tool

By DAKE KANG and SAM MEDNICK Associated Press

TEL AVIV,Israel (AP) The role of Israel'shijacking of Iran’s street cameras in the killing of the country’s supremeleader underscores howsurveillance systems are increasingly being targeted by adversaries in wartime. Hundreds ofmillions ofcameras have been installed above shops, in homes and on street cornersacross theworld, manyconnectedto theinternet andpoorly secured.Recentadvancesinartificialintelligencehaveenabledmilitariesandintelligenceagenciesto siftthrough vastamountsof surveillance footage and identify targets.

On Feb. 28,Israel vividly demonstratedthepotentialofsuch systems tobe hackedand used against adversarieswhen Israel trackeddown Iranianleader Ayatollah Ali Khameneiwith the help of Tehran’s own street camerasdespite repeated warnings that Iran’s surveillancesystems had beencompromised, accordingto interviewsand anAssociated Pressreviewofleakeddata,public statements and news reports. Theuse ofhackedsurveillance camerasamong otherintelligence

in the operationto kill Khamenei wasdescribedtothe APbyanintelligenceofficial withknowledge of the operation and another personwhowasbriefedontheoperation. Neitherwas authorizedto speak with themedia and both sharedinformation oncondition of anonymity. Iran hasinstalled tensof thousands ofcameras inits capitalin responseto wavesofprotests, mostrecently inJanuary,when massive nationwide demonstrationsendedinabloodycrackdown that killed manythousands of Iranians That Tehran’s cameras were compromised was nosecret: the city’s cameraswere repeatedly hacked starting in 2021, and last year, a seniorIranian politician warnedpublicly thatcamerashad been compromisedby Israel, posing a national security threat. Conor Healy,director ofresearchat surveillanceresearch publication IPVM,said Khamenei s killing illustrates a pressing securitydilemma for governmentsseekingtoquashdissent. Theironyisthattheinfrastructure authoritarian states build to maketheir ruleunassailablemay bewhatmakes theirleadersmost

visibleto thepeopletrying tokill them,” Healy said. “Do youtrust who is watching?

Warning signs

Foryears,cybersecurityexperts have warnedthat camerascould be hacked for war.

In 2019,security engineerPaul Marrapesediscovered hecould easilyhack millions of cameras from the comfort of his home office in California.

Despite speakingup repeatedly since,the numberofunprotected camerasonlycontinuestogrow.A scan of unprotectedcamera feeds this yearturned upnearly three million hitsin almostevery country in the world, Marrapese told AP, including nearly 2,000 cameras in Iran alone.

There are millionsand millions and millions of these throughout theworld, Marrapese said. Many, he added, are trivially easyto hack: They re justdumb little things.... It’s fishin a barrel.

Companies have advertised cameras hooked uponline, accessible with cell phones, with feeds easily diverted by hackers. Many areinstalledwithminimalsecurity byunsophisticated userswhofail tosetuppasswordsorinstallsecurity patches. Securing cameras takes constantvigilance, but hackingthem takesidentifying just one exposed vulnerability, suchasan outdatedsystemora generic password like 1234.

Evensurveillance systemsset up by governments on networks sealed off from the internet are vulnerable: Ittakes justone insiderturncoattocompromisesuch systems.

“Humansare kindofthe weakest link, Marrapese said. “There’sreally onlyso muchyou can do.

Eyal Hulata, Israel’s former nationalsecurityadviserandasenior fellowat theFoundation forthe Defense ofDemocracies, saidIsraelisunderconstantcyberattacks from Iran but hasso far been able to defend against it.

“Thereishighalertonallcyber fronts, he said.

For years, hackingcameras for warremained theoretical.Butin 2023, Hamas hacked surveillance cameras in southernIsrael ahead of its Oct. 7attack, allowing the group to monitorIsraeli army pa-

aspirations.

At the same time, the organizationfaces increasingfinancial constraint.Some of its wealthiermember states are pressing fora zerogrowthbudget forthe coming year, despite the fact thatthecurrentbudgethasalreadybeen reduced,mandates scaledback, and staffing diminished.

In these circumstances, furtherconstraint isnota neutral act. It weakens capacity and signals a diminished levelof commitment tothe institution itself.

Second, theorganization must demonstrate measurable impact inthe areas where itis mandatedto act. Its effectivenesswill be judged by outcomes, not process.

Third,the questionofresourcesmust beaddressed with candour.An organizationcannotbeexpectedtorespondto expandingchallenges while its means are steadily reduced.

The issue, therefore, is notonly what the OAS does, but what itsmember states are prepared to allow it to become.

For small and vulnerable states,this questioncarries particular weight.Multilateral institutions provide a framework in which law, dialogue, andcollective action canmoderate imbalancesof power. If that framework weakens, theconsequences are immediate and real.

IftheOASistoremainrelevant, severalsteps areessential: First,there mustbe awillingnessto engagesubstantivelyon theissuesthat matter,even whereagreementis notassured.Silence cannot be a substitute for diplomacy.

Finally, member states must acceptthat managing disagreement is part multilaterAvoiding it does notpreserve unity. It erodes it.

TheOrganizationofAmerican States remains a vital institution,but itsrelevance cannot beassumed. Itmust be demonstrated. The choice beforeit is clear.Itcan actwithpurpose and retaininfluence, orit can continuealong itspresent course andrisk gradual marginalisation.

Atthis juncture,thehemisphereshould expectmore than continuity. It should expect engagement.

(TheauthorisAmbassador ofAntigua andBarbudato the US and the OAS and Chancellor of the University of Guyana)

trolsandassisting theattack,according to Israeli media. That same year, aUkrainian official toldreporters thatRussiaattempted tohijack camerasnear missiletargets, atrend thatcontinuedin 2024whenRussians hackedcameras inKyiv andlast year,whentheyhackedcamerasat border crossings Experts say advancesin AI have allowed militaries to overcome a criticalhurdle in weaponizing hacked footage: siftingthrough hugeamountsof video toidentify people,vehicles, and othertargets, atask thatonce tookteamsof analystsweeksor months but can now be done in real time.With asimple keyword search,AIcan scanfeedsandreturn results almost immediately. Itusedto bethatyoucould hackthe cameras,but humanshad todothereal workoffiguringout where the personwas,” said cryptographerand securityexpert BruceSchneier. With AI systems ...youcandoalotmoreautomatically. The despot's dilemma Iran scameras havebeenrepeatedlyhacked overthe pastfew years.

In2021,an Iranianexilegroup leaked footage ofabuses at Tehran’s notoriousEvin prison. In 2022, anothergroup claimedit hackedover5,000camerasaround

Tehran, dumping gigabytes of surveillance footage and internal data on a Telegram channel. Then, duringa 12-daywar last summer,IsraelusedTehran scameras totrack andbomb thelocation ofa meetingof Iran s Supreme NationalSecurity Council,injuringIranianPresident MasoudPezeshkian, accordingto Iranian lawmakers andan Israeli documentary All the camerasat our intersectionsareinthehandsofIsrael,” Mahmoud Nabavian, deputy chairman of the Iranian parliament s nationalsecurity committee, told Iranian media in September Everything on the internet isin theirhands ...if we move, they will find out. The vulnerabilitieshave come amid Iran s stepped-upuseof surveillance camerasaftera series of protestsroiled thecountry. Subwaycameras,forexample,are used to detect when women don’t don thecountry s mandatory hijab, or headscarf,using facial recognition to identify violators.

Butdata collectedtoconsolidate control createsa ripe target for hackers, said researcher MichaelCaster, whoinvestigated China's salesof surveillancetechnology to Iran.

“Maliciousparties canmore easily gain access," Caster said. Iran in particular,long sanc-

tioned by theWest, faces difficultiesingettingup-to-datehardware and software,often relyingon Chinese-manufactured electronics or older systems.Pirated versions ofWindows andothersoftware arecommon. Thatmakes iteasier for potential hackersto target the country. The FinancialTimes earlierreported on the useof cameras in Khamenei’s killing. The person briefedon the operationwhospoke totheAPsaid that for years almostall the traffic cameras inTehran hadbeen hackedand theinformationtransferredto serversinIsrael. Atleast onecamerawasatananglethatallowed Israelto trackdaily movements ofpeople, suchas where theyparked theircars nearIran’s leadership compound, the two people said. Algorithms helped provide information including people’s addresses, routes theytook to work and who protectedthem, according tothe personbriefed on the operation.That sameperson saidtheattack hadbeenplanned for months,but theoperation was expedited once it was determined thatKhameneiand histopofficialswould bein theleadership compound that morning.

Israel’s primeminister’s office didn t respondto requestfor comment.

The pretentiousness of the gated heart

We must return to the village, if only to give back to a system that prepared us for our success

THEREisa specifickindof silence thatexists inthe gated communitiesof NewProvidence. It’s a curated, expensive silence the soundof manicured lawns, humming air conditioning units, and the soft "click" ofa heavyiron gate locking therest ofthe world out. For many Bahamians, this silence isn'tjust a signof success,it’sashroud.It’sthesound ofaladder beingpulledup, rung by rung, by the very people whoonce reliedon the strength of aneighbour’s hand toreachthetop. We have becomea nation of gatekeepers,not justofour properties, but of our histories. Themostselfishactweperform today is thesystematic abandonment of the "village" that birthed us. We get to where we are going, hailthe security guard with a politenod of entitlement, and thenhibernate. We vanish into a facade of prestige, conveniently forgetting that before thepaved drivewaysand the high-definitionsecurity cameras, there wasa screen door thatnever lockedand a neighbour who knewthe sound ofourmother’stiredfootsteps.

Thearchitecture ofbelonging

Growing upin theinner city in the "Over-the-Hill" communities that theelite now view throughtinted windows life wasdefined bya beautiful, chaoticscarcity. We didn t have much, butwe had a wealth ofpresence. Inthose neighbourhoods, "family" wasn'ta biologicalconstraint,it was a communal pact. When ourmothersworkedtwojobsor stayed lateto makeends meet, thewomannextdoorwasn'tjust a neighbour.She wasa guardian.She wasthe onewho watched usplay inthe dust,the one whocalled usin whenthe streetlights flickeredto life. Sometimes,she sharedher food. It wasn't because she had anabundance, butbecauseshe understood the arithmetic of survival:halfa loafsharedis more filling thana whole loaf eateninisolation.

There was aprofound, unspokengraceinthewaythevil-

lageoperated: The ClotheslineWatch: Whenthe cloudsturnedthat bruisedBahamian purple,you didn'tworryaboutyourlaundry. The neighbourhad already pulled yourschool uniformsoff theline andlaidthem neatlyon yourbed. The OpenDoor: Trust wasn'taluxury,itwastheatmosphere.Youdidn't needakey becausethe villagewasthe lock.

tude a polished,pretentious shell designed tosignal to the worldthatwehad"arrived"and that we certainlydidn't come fromthere.

Weavoid thepeoplewho knewuswhen wehadholesin our shoes.We changeour accents, we change our circles, andwepretendwewerebornin the cool air ofthe western districts. This isn’t just social climbing, it’s apsychological

Growing up in the inner city--in the "Over-the-Hill" communities--life was defined by a beautiful, chaotic scarcity. We didn’t have much, but we had a wealth of presence.

TheShared Table: You mighthavegone tobedhungry if not for the"plate" sent over froma kitchenthathad justas littleas yours.This wasour foundation. Thiswas the"old gate post." Itwas a genuine family of anorganisation that provided belonging and acceptancelongbeforeweknewwhat a"statussymbol"was.

Thegreatamnesia But then, lifestarted “lifeing."Someofusstudiedharder, worked longer,or caughtthe rightbreezes andsailed outof the innercity. Weclimbed the ladder.Andhere iswherethe cardinalsinofingratitudebegan to fester.Instead ofcarrying the light back tothe village, many of us developeda peculiar kind of allergy to ourown past. We began toview ourorigins asa stain rather thana source of strength. Wedeveloped anatti-

haunting. We are terrifiedthat if we lookback, the"stigma" ofthe village will rub off on our luxury SUVs. Thecardinal sin isnotjustforgettingwhereyou camefrom,it’stheactiveeffort toensure noone elsecan followyou. Whenwe pullup thatladder,we aren'tjustprotecting our status, we’re sabotaging the evolutionof our country.

Forthe Bahamastotruly grow, the successfulmust remaintetheredtothestruggling. Instead,we havecreated asocietyof silos,where theonly thing we share is the same island, separated by 10-foot walls andstaggering pretension.

The falsesense ofimportance Whatistherootofthisaban-

donment? Is it a superiority complex, or isit a deep-seated insecurity? Status hasgiven us afalsesenseofimportancethat is, frankly,dangerous. Wemistake ourbank balancefor our character, and ourplush communityforoursoul.

We think we are "better" thanthe peoplestill livingin thevillage, forgettingthatthe only difference between the manonthecornerandusonthe cornerisoftenacombinationof timing, luck, and the very villagesupportwenowshun.

Butthis pretentiousnessisa facade. No oneis truly impressedby amanwho haslost hisroots. Infact, thereis nothing more pathetic than a personwhoisastrangertotheir ownstory. Wepretend tobe what weare not,curating an identity that is ashollow as a vacantmansion.

Thecostofthegatedheart Therewillcome atime,in the "stillness of time," perhaps inold ageorina momentof crisis,where thegate andthe securityguard willofferno comfort.In thosequietmoments,the mindreturnsto where it felt most loved. When we are unable to fathom the value of genuine community, wewill findourselveswealthy bututterlyalone.

We will realize that the "facade" we spent decades building has become our prison.

The villageis calling.It sa call that echoes in our subconscious,reminding usthatwe aremissing theopportunityto

makepeacewithourselves.We arerunning froma pastthat contains the only version of us thatwastrulyauthentic.

Returning to theold gate post

Facing reality,all ofus are guilty! Wemust returnto the "old gate post." This doesn't mean moving backto a tworoom house, butit does mean returning to thevillage's ethos. Itmeans:loweringthegateand opening ournetworks andresourcesto thosewho arestill climbing.

Killingthepretence

Admit that we didn't get here alone. Invest in people.

Don’tjust donatemoney,to clear our conscience, but give ourtimeand presencetothe neighbourhoods thatraised us. We need tostop pretending that oursuccess isa soloperformance. Itwas acommunal effort. Theneighbour who driedyour clothesandthe motherwho workeduntilher hands wereraw deservemore thanyoursilence. Theydeserveyourreturn. Stop locking thegate on your own soul. The village made you. The least you can do is go backand make sure the nextchild has aladder to climb onethat youaren't busypullingup.

US Embassy costs meeting of Bahamas-Nassau chapter of the Overseas Security Advisory Council

THE US Embassy in The Bahamas recently hosted a meeting of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Bahamas-Nassau Country Chapter, gathering over 70 representatives from American businesses and the local private sector to discuss regional security.

The event focused on strengthening partnerships and sharing critical information to protect US personnel and assets. Participants included leaders from the hospitality, cruise, higher education, and telecommunications sectors, alongside officials from the Bahamian government’s

Disaster Risk Management Authority.

US Ambassador to The Bahamas Herschel Walker emphasised the importance of collaboration in his remarks. "Preparation and teamwork make all the difference, in football and in security," Walker said. "The Overseas Security Advisory Council helps us share information to make us all more secure and better prepared."

Key topics on the agenda included preparedness for the upcoming 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, regional human trafficking trends, and general safety updates

for American citizens.

Guest speakers featured representatives from the US Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bahamas Red Cross Society, and OSAC’s Washington headquarters.

Established in 1985, OSAC serves as a direct link between the US Department of State and the American private sector operating abroad. Membership and access to OSAC's crisis support and tailored security intelligence are completely free for any US-incorporated organization operating in The Bahamas.

HISTORIC AGREEMENT LINKS NASSAU WITH GERMAN NAMESAKE

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE government has signed a sister city agreement linking Nassau, Bahamas, with Nassau in Germany, reviving a relationship rooted in shared history while setting out plans for closer cooperation.

Officials said the agreement creates a formal partnership focused on cultural exchange, economic collaboration, education, youth development and environmental sustainability. It is also expected to strengthen tourism ties and expand trade opportunities between the two communities.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said the arrangement could drive gains in tourism, business engagement and knowledge exchange. He stressed the need for measurable results, including increased visitor arrivals, cultural

collaboration and commercial activity, rather than a purely symbolic relationship.

Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey said the agreement reflects a broader push to deepen international ties through people-centred connections. She said efforts to revive the partnership began in recent years and led to the signing, supported by tourism officials and international partners. She added that the visiting delegation will take part in cultural immersion activities aimed at strengthening links with Bahamian communities.

Mayor Manuel Liguori pointed to the historical connection between the two cities, noting that Nassau, Bahamas, was named after Nassau in Germany in 1694 in honour of King William III of England, a member of the House of Nassau. He also highlighted years of intermittent engagement,

including official visits, cultural exchanges and symbolic recognitions such as landmarks in Germany named for the Bahamas. He described the agreement as a continuation of that

long-standing relationship.

Director General Latia Duncombe said the initiative revives a proposal first raised in the 1960s but never implemented. She said the current agreement

was developed to align with national priorities and is intended to deliver practical, long-term benefits.

Officials said the partnership is expected to encourage increased travel

between the destinations, deepen cultural understanding and open new avenues for cooperation in areas such as entrepreneurship, education and sustainable development.

SPORTS

SECTION E

Tu ES day, Mar C h 31, 2026

Taysha Stubbs looks to shatter under-20 girls’ javelin record

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS the two-time defending champion, Taysha Stubbs said she's looking forward to going to the 2026 CARIFTA Games in St George's, Grenada, to shatter the under-20 girls’ javelin record. Stubbs, the 18-yearold graduate of Queen's College, is coming off her successful collegiate debut for the University of Nebraska Huskies over the weekend at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational in Miami, Florida.

With her family members - parents Ray and Natasha Stubbs and brothers Raheem and Rashad - present, Stubbs threw a lifetime best of 184-feet, 10-inches or 56.34 metres for second place for the fourth furthest javelin mark in Nebraska school history in the women’s javelin. In the process, Stubbs erased the previous Bahamas junior national record of 180-7 (55.08m) that was

set by fellow Huskie and national women's record holder Rhema Otabor at the World U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 19, 2021.

"I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. It was an eye opener for me. It was a long time coming, but I never doubted that I could do it based on the work that I put in," Stubbs said.

"I think this weekend kind of opened my eyes to what I can do and to let me know that there is still so much more that I can do."

During the event, Stubbs improved on her previous personal best of 167-0 (50.9m) with 170-7 (52m) on her first attempt before she improved on it with the record-breaking performance in the fifth.

"Starting from my warmups, I felt pretty good. I was just trying to remember my cues and remember to just trust the work that I put in and to just stay relaxed," said Stubbs, who also got beefed up in size from the gym workouts. "With my family there, I just went

down the runway relaxed and then it felt really good. After the PB on the first attempt, I was just relaxed. I just told God it was all in his hands and so I decided to go for it."

This weekend, Stubbs will be heading to Grenada where she hopes to erase the CARIFTA record of 167-9 (51.13m) that Candesha Scott of Grenada set in 2016 at the Kirani James National Stadium.

"I want to put the record so far that nobody can touch it for a while," Stubbs said.

"I know that I can do it now. So I just need to go into the competition, stay relaxed and trust the work that I put in and just let it fly."

Stubbs, who is studying psychology, said she's in the right place at Nebraska, surrounded by the Bahamian connection of Otabor, Keyshawn Strachan (a senior) and Dior-Rae Scott (another freshman), who all push her hard in practice under throwers' coach Erik Whitsitt.

Stubbs, Otabor, Strachan and Scott all competed locally for the Blue Chips Athletics, coached by Corrington Maycock.

Also competing at the meet was Calea Jackson, another graduate from Queen's College, who is now in her junior year at the University of Miami. Jackson, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in biology, was third in the women's discus with her best heave of the day with 164-10 (50.25m) on her fifth attempt.

Higgins second in Jamaica Emmile Higgins, who was expected to be a part of the CARIFTA team going to Grenada, continued to make his presence felt in Jamaica, despite not making the team.

Higgins, competing for Kingston College, ran 21.52 for second place in the boys’ 200m 14-15 Class 2 final at the 2026 ISSA/ Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston. His team-mate

Jason Pitter won the race in 21.03. Smith hurdles to win At the Clyde Hart Classic, Louisiana Tech's senior won the men's 110m hurdles in a time of 13.56. He came out of the preliminaires with the fastest qualifying time of 13.65. Dean fifth in hurdles Rondino Dean, Jr., competing for Lincoln at the Southwest Baptist University's Bearcat Invitational, clocked 14.80 for fifth place in the men's 110mh.  Dean, a freshman, had the third fastest qualifying time of 14.99. Also at the meet, Ezthia Maycock finished 10th in1:04.39 in the women's 400m hurdles. Maycock, a junior, later teamed up with Odeshia Nanton, Alexis Summers and Malika Countain for third place in the women's 4x400m relay in 3:47.62  Hudson and Laguerra lead Bahamian connection At the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational on Saturday at the Walter P. Ledet Track and Field Complex,

Tarajh Hudson and Clinton Laguerra had a 1-2 punch in leading the way for the Bahamian connection for Northwestern State.

Hudson, a graduate student, picked up the win in the men's discus with his best toss of 55.20m on his final attempt. Abner Johnson, a senior, was fifth with 144-3 (43.98m) on his second.

Johnson was second in the men's hammer with his best heave of 167-4 (51.00m) in his third attempt, while Hudson was fourth with 158-2 (46.68m) on his first.  Laguerra, a junior, won the men's 400m hurdles in 55.47.

Williams second Cloud County Community College freshman Keon Williams added a runner-up finish in the men's 400m in a time of 47.95 at the Mark A. Phillips Tiger Classic in Arkansas City, Kansas.

Karra Hanna brings home bronze, qualifies for Central American and Caribbean Games

Grand Bahama

swimmers arrive in New Providence

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Athletics’ 36-member swim team and 12 open water swimmers headed to the CARIFTA Swimming Championships will once again feature a number of competitors from Grand Bahama.

The swimmers, led by team manager Karon Pinder-Johnson and including female chaperone Kashara Cooper and assistant coach Ashton Knowles, arrived in town over the weekend to join the Nassau-based swimmers as they prepare to travel to Martinique on Thursday for the championships over the Easter holiday weekend.

The Grand Bahama team members are Nai’A Belton, Isabella Cuccurullo,

Skyler Smith, Kimaya Saunders, Zoe Williamson, Logan Comarcho, Kymani Cooper, Deon Morris, Sean Norville-Smith, Harold Simmons, Dexter Russell and Tristen Hepburn. On their arrival, a number of the swimmers expressed their delight at being a part of the team in the quest to go for the eighth consecutive title. Hepburn, who will be competing in his final CARIFTA appearance, is one of the team captains.  "I feel great. It's great to finally get into Nassau and see the full team," Hepburn said. "The team looks really great in the water. I can't wait to see how we will all gel together the rest of the week." Hepburn, 18, has his work cut out for him in Martinique as he gets set

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER the disappointment in Panama a week ago, bruised and battered Bahamian judokan Karra Hanna managed to turn things around over the weekend in Guatemala.

Not only did the 28-yearold gain enough strength to win a bronze medal but she, along with Xavion Johnson, managed to qualify for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Competing at the Guatemala Senior Central American and Caribbean Cup in Guatemala City over the weekend, Hanna finished third in the +78 kilogram class to the 2026 CAC Games that will be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 24 to August 8. While Johnson also qualified for the

CAC Games, he fell short in the bronze medal match where he lost out to Mexican Eduardo Acaujo via ippon in the repechage competition.

And Tara Bain, the other member of Team Bahamas, competed in the women's -57 kg class where she lost her only match to Mexican Naomi Pozo Flores via ippon.

An elated Hanna, who is also a certified judo coach, said the competition went very well for her, despite the pain she had to endure.

"Although I went up against Dayanara Curbelo Travieso from Cuba in the first round, she wasn't able to throw me, even though I got penalised during the match," Hanna said.

"Then I went into the repechage round where I won over Olguimar Rivera Puerto Rico and I made it to the bronze medal match

against Izayana Marenco Nicaragua and I won the bronze medal. God is good."

Coming off her last appearance in Panama, Hanna said she went to Guatemala with a game plan and that was to be focused and more dominant against her opponents.

"God is good. I actually competed with a sprained ankle and wrist and bruised shin. My body was in a lot of pain," Hanna pointed out.

"But with God on your side, you will not fail.

"I went in there and I trusted God and I trusted myself and I prevailed. I did qualify for the CAC, along with Xavion, so it was a really good weekend for The Bahamas."

Hanna publicly thanked her sponsors, including Lennox Paton, JS Johnson, Better Bodies, Incredible

Bulk, Plat it Bahamas, Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, Bahamas Olympic Committee, The Bay Restaurant Bar & Lounge. Johnson, the 28-yearold Junior Pan American Games bronze medallist, emerged with two waz-ari over Haiti's Hensley WoodWaldy Petit-Frere.

He then lost in the quarterfinal via ippon to Andres Sandoval from Colombia. But in the repechage, he won over Francisco Galarza Hernandez from Puerto Rico before losing to Araujo in the bronze medal match.

"It was definitely an improvement," said Johnson about his last showing in Panama a week ago.

"I felt more confident and in control this time. I made a few small changes in training the

JUDO - SEE Page 14

to compete in the 50, 100 and 200m breaststroke, 50m back, 50m butterfly, 50m free and 200m IM.

"I'm trying to bring home some gold in my individual events," said the St George's High 12th grader.

"We should also medal in our relays and overall The Bahamas should really bring home the eight-peat.

"The team looks very strong and I can't wait for us to get to Martinique to

show everybody what we've been training so hard to accomplish this year."

Smith, a 10th grader at Sunland Baptist Academy, is making her fourth appearance on Team Bahamas. The 14-year-old said she's very confident in her ability to help Team Bahamas this year. "I feel good. It's always an honour to be on this team," she said. "I just want us to get the job done again

and continue the winning streak that we have going." As one of the competitors coming out of the girls’ 13-14 division that most people will be looking forward to seeing compete, Smith said she wants to help out the younger swimmers as much as she can.

"I just want to make everyone proud," said Smith, who will be competing in the 50, 100m and 200m backstrokes, 200 and

400m freestyle and 100m butterfly. "I want to mostly drop my times and in dropping my times, I hope to get up on the podium and score some significant points for the team and encourage others to do well as the meet progresses."

Although they have some newcomers on team this year, Smith said they don't

John McEnroe Tennis Center holds its inaugural Gentlemen’s Singles Shootout

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net

BAHA Mar’s John McEnroe Tennis Center held its inaugural Gentlemen’s Singles Shootout, sponsored by Maison Bahamas, featuring a mix of local players and visiting competitors for the two-day event. The tournament featured a total of 12 players on March 26 and 27. Thursday’s opening day used a roundrobin format to ensure all players saw consistent court time, with no early eliminations.

Based on those results, players were then placed into a random draw for Friday’s knockout stage, with the top four finishers from day one separated into different sections of the bracket. From there, the format changed to single elimination. On the top side of the draw, Synaj Watkins advanced early with a 4-3 (7-4) win over Tishambe, before moving past Ryan Knowles 4-2 to reach the semifinals.

William McCartney, who entered as one of the top seeds, worked through his side with controlled wins,

defeating Joshua Guy and then Watkins 4-2 to secure a place in the final.

The bottom half of the draw produced a tighter path.

Finn Coco, visiting from Washington, D.C., moved through his matches with a mix of clean wins and close finishes, including a 7-0 result over Lex Fountain and a 4-3 (7-4) semifinal win.

Anthony Munnings also advanced through a competitive section, edging Mark Randerville 4-3 before falling just short of the final.

The championship match saw McCartney and Coco

meet after both players came through different styles of matches.

McCartney closed it out in straight sets, winning 4-1, 4-3 to take the title.

“I’m just really grateful for the event because we don't have many events, so I’m glad that the sponsors and tournament directors came together to put on such a great event,” said McCartney.

Additional awards were also presented as the consolation round was won by Joshua Herman, and the sportsmanship award went to Lex Fountain.

The event marked the first collaboration between

the John McEnroe Tennis Center and Maison Bahamas, which supported the tournament with prize money and helped attract a mix of local talent and international participants.

The structure of the event stood out, with the round-robin opening ensuring players had multiple matches before elimination play began.

The latter setup created a more balanced competition heading into the knockout stage, where match margins were tight, and several results were decided by tiebreaks.

Sprinter Eagan Neely heading into CARIFTA Games healthy after early-season setback

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@

tribunemedia.net

EAGAN Neely is heading into CARIFTA with experience and a full return to health after an early-season setback.

The under-20 sprinter has been named to his second Team Bahamas for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada, where he will compete in the 200 metres and has also been selected to both the 4x100-metre and 4x400-metre relay pools.

“It feels really, really good. It's been a wonderful experience once again to represent The Bahamas in Grenada. I’m very excited about what's to come, and I hope to bring back all the gold medals,” said Neely.

“My expectations are just to do my best,” said Neely.  His season did not start smoothly as Neely dealt with an injury that kept him out through January and into early February, delaying his return to competition. He ran his first 200 metres of the season in late February, using that race to build back into form.

“I was pretty rough during that time, but coming back at BAISS and running my PR made me feel really good.”

WATER POLO POWER

BAHAMIAN water polo athlete Nicholas Wallace-Whitfield helped to power the University of Nottingham into BUCS Water Polo final on Wednesday. Wallace-Whitfield is a master’s student making his mark in UK university sport. Nottingham secured their place in the final with dominant wins, beating Sheffield Hallam 48-4 in the quarter-finals and Manchester Metropolitan 18-10 in the semi-finals. The Bahamian national team player scored in both matches,

“Training has been superb, I trust fully in my coaches, and I hope to execute my race plans as best as possible,” said Neely.  By the time he returned fully at the BAISS meet, the difference was clear as Neely recorded a personal best in the 200 metres,

contributing to the team’s strong run. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in International Business, he brings high-level experience from the United States, where he competed in the MAWPC conference at the NCAA Division I level with Mount St. Mary’s University and served as team captain in his senior year. He previously studied economics during his time there. Wallace-Whitfield is also a member of The Bahamas senior national water polo team, continuing to represent his country while competing abroad.

showing that his speed had not only returned but improved after the injury. That performance carried into the BAAA CARIFTA Trials, where he delivered one of the key runs of the meet, winning the under-20 boys’ 200 metres in 21.07, a qualifying mark that confirmed his place on the team.

BASEBALL HIGH FIVE EASTER TOURNEY FREEDOM Farm and the Junior Baseball League of Nassau will come together and host the High Five Easter Baseball Tournament at the JBLN Field of Dreams at St Andrew’s School. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, and is being dubbed the “Clash of the Titans” with competition taking place between the top two leagues in all of the divisions. Games will begin at 11am.

“I think it’s very important and it was a great learning experience,” said McCartney.   In its first edition, the tournament delivered competitive matches across both days and set a foundation for future events at the facility.

Grand Bahama swimmers arrive in New Providence

CARIFTA - from Page E1

want to psych out their opponents in Martinique, but they’re going there to put on a show.

Cuccurullo, another competitor in the 13-14 division, will be swimming in nine events, including the 50, 100 and 200m breaststrokes, 50, 100 and 200m butterfly, 300/400m and 50m freestyle.

“I feel great. I’ve been working hard towards this and I want to go to Martinique and make my country proud,” said Cuccurullo, a 15-year-old 10th grader at Lucaya International School.

“I know I’m competing in a lot of races, but I want to represent the country and bring in all the medals and the points that I can achieve over there.”

As for Team Bahamas, Cuccurullo said it’s a great team with a lot of potential.

“We are very strong and so I think we should have no problems getting the eight-peat.” Saunders will be making her fourth trip to CARIFTA as well, but her first in the girls’ 15-17 division where she will compete in the 50, 100 and 200m breaststrokes.

“I feel good about CARIFTA. I know I will have a lot of competition with this being my first year in the 15-17 division,” said the 16-year-old 12th grader at Bishop Michael Eldon High.

With his full strength back and his times improving late in the season, Neely goes into CARIFTA in a position to compete across his events.

At the 2025 CARIFTA Games in Trinidad and Tobago, Neely delivered one of the top performances in his division, winning gold in the under-17 boys’ 400 metres in 47.79 seconds and the 200 metres in 21.22 seconds. He also played a key role on The Bahamas’ 4x400 metre relay team, helping them secure gold while setting a new CARIFTA record of 3:12.72. He enters Grenada with a personal best in the 200 metres and a qualifying performance from trials.

TENNIS

BLTA JAMBOREE THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association will hold a Bahamas Tennis Jamboree on Saturday, April 4, from noon at the National Tennis Centre.

Adults and children are invited to come out and enjoy the afternoon with the tennis community with music, food and drinks on sale. The BLTA will also be registering old and new members.

GOLF BAKE SALE THE Bahamas Golf Federation’s Ladies Division will hold a bake sale on Saturday, April 4, from 9am to 4pm at the BGF’s Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The public is invited to come and support the women golfers in The Bahamas.

CONSTITUENCY SOFTBALL TOURNEY

THE New Providence Sports Council, in conjunction with the Bahamas Softball Federation, will hold the Constituency Games Softball Tournament from Tuesday, April 28 to Sunday, May 3, in the Bankers’ Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The men will play modified pitch during the tournament, while the women will play slowpitch. For more information, persons can contact BSF president Marvin ‘Togie’ Wood at 808-7281.

“But I know that I trained hard for this so I’m prepared for what I have to do. I expect my team to put in the work and we come together and win CARIFTA for the eighth time.” Saunders said the team is putting in the effort in training and so they hope that it will all come together with their success in Grand Bahama.

JUNIOR GOLF WEEK

THE Bahamas Junior Golf Association is holding its Junior Golf Week until Tuesday.

On Monday-Tuesday, the tournament will be held at the Royal Blue Golf Club starting at 8am for 18 holes, nine holes and six holes.

The closing awards presentation will follow at 6pm at Royal Blue.

CYCLING SPRING ROAD

CLASSIC

THE New Providence Cycling Association will hold its Spring Road Cycling Classic over the weekend of April 11-12 at Clifton Pier.

The individual time trial will begin at 5pm on Saturday, April 11, with the juniors competing over six miles and the adults covering 12 miles. The road race will be held on Sunday, April 12, starting at 7:35am. The senior elites will ride 64 miles, under-23 will do 64 miles, open females 52 miles, masters male and female 46 miles, public races 24 miles, juniors (17-18) 52 miles, juveniles (14-16) 46 miles and-under 12 miles.

Prizes, including cash, trophies and medals will be presented to the various winners. For more information, persons can contact 433-5568 or 436-0685 or email bommus1967@gmail. com. Registration forms can be picked up at Cycles Unlimited online.

Fraternity joins with Ridgeland Primary in mentorship effort

ANEWmentorship andacademicsupport programmehasbeenlaunchedatRidgelandPrimarySchoolfollowingthe signingofanagreement withthe DeltaEpsilon SigmaChapter of PhiBetaSigmaFraternity,Inc.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlinesacollaborative effortfocusedonyouth development, academic reinforcement, and character building, witha particular emphasis onsupporting youngboys.Through theinitiative,members ofthe fraternitywill engagestudents in reading support,mentorship, and structuredpersonaldevelopmentactivities.

ChapterPresidentShanleyTootesaidtheprogramme isintended toprovide consistentsup-

portand meaningfulengagement forstudents, withafocusonbothacademicimprovementand personalgrowth.

PrincipalAntonia Bainwelcomed thepartnership, noting the importance of positive male rolemodels andadditional supportsystems withintheschoolenvironment.

The agreement spans aninitial two-year period,withboththe schoolandthefraternity committed to sustained involvement and measurableoutcomes.

Theinitiativeforms partofthechapter’s broader education andsocial action efforts, whichaimto strengthencommunitiesthrough mentorship,access,andlong-termengagement.

Applications open to Garvin Tynes Primary for Carleton Williams Scholarship

SIXTH-GRADE students at Garvin TynesPrimary School now havethe opportunityto applyfor theCaribbeanBottling CompanyCarleton WilliamsScholarship, withapplications closingSunday, May 3rd.

The scholarshipis opento students witha GPAof 3.0or higher and provides full tuition toalocalprivatehighschoolfor all six years, once academic requirements aremaintained. Each year, theprogram alternatesbetween eligiblestudents

in NewProvidence andpublic school sixthgraders inGrand Bahama. Applicants mustsubmit a portfolio, which will be reviewedby apanel.Shortlisted studentswillthen beinvitedto completeaninterviewaspartof the selection process. Since itslaunch in2016, the scholarship hassupported 12 students and theirfamilies. Past recipients includeEmari Knowles (2025),Selena Cartwright(2024),andTimothy Kemp (2023), among others.

3rd Annual Girl Guides

The award was created in honour of Carleton Williams followinghis retirementas Chairmanof CaribbeanBottling Company. His family says thescholarship reflectshisbelief in education and giving back to the community.

CaribbeanBottlingCompany (CBC), producersof Coca-Cola and Dasani productsin The Bahamas, continuesto supportthe initiativeaspartofitseducation outreach. For moreinformation orto apply, visit www.cbcbahamas/scholarship.com

Ragged Island students celebrated during Commonwealth Day visit

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

STUDENTS at the Ragged Island AllAge Schoolwere the focusofaspecialCommonwealth Day assembly when national leadersand educationofficials visitedtheisland.

The school’s fivestudents gathered with parents, teachers, andcommunitymemberstomark CommonwealthDay underthe theme “Unlocking Opportunities Together for aProsperous Commonwealth.” The eventhighlighted the importanceof opportunity, education,and community supportforstudentslivingonone ofthecountry’ssmallestislands.

Leading thevisit wasDeputy Prime Minister andMember of Parliamentfor Exumaandthe Cays and Ragged Island Chester Cooper,whoencouragedstudents toaim highdespite theisland’s smallsize.

He told those gathered that RaggedIsland’syoungpeopleare capable of achievinggreat successand reaffirmedhiscommitmentto supportingboth thestudentsandthewidercommunity.

Education officialsalso emphasized the importanceof ensuringthatstudentsonsmallerislandsreceivethesameopportunitiesasthose elsewhereinthe country.

Education Minister,Glenys Hanna-Martinnotedthattheministry has worked to fill key positions at theschool, including a principal and teacher,so that RaggedIsland studentscanbenefitfroma stronglearningenvironment. Supporting thatmessage was Senior Under Secretary DominiqueMcCartney-Russell,who reinforced the Ministry’s mission of education for all, stressing that every child in The Bahamas deserves access toquality education.

TheRagged IslandAllAge School, led by Principal Alice Rahming,currently servesfive

enrolledstudents. Despiteits smallsize, thecampusfeatures fully solar-powered facilities, spacious air-conditioned classrooms,andon-sitelivingquarters forfaculty. Followingthe assembly,the visiting delegation toured the island’sdock andclinic toassess local infrastructureand identify repairs neededto supportthe community.

Forthestudents ofRaggedIsland, the visit served as a reminder that eventhe smallest classrooms can holdbig dreams and that their education remains an important priority for thenation.

seminar encourages young Bahamian women to lead

YOUNG women from across The Bahamas recentlycame togetherfor aleadership seminaraimedat helping students build confidence, develop strong values and begin thinkingabout theirfuture rolesas leaders.

The 3rd Annual Bahamas Girl GuidesAssociation(BGGA)Leadership Seminar forGirls was held duringthe organisation’s Annual Guide Weekand broughttogether Rangers andstudents for aday focused on personal development, education and service.

The seminar isdesigned to give girlsaspacetolearnaboutleadership earlyinlife whiledevelopingskills thatcan helpthemsucceed bothin

school and beyond. Participantsengagedindiscussionscentred onresilience,character building, goal setting and the importance of community involvement.

The programmealso highlighted how leadershipcan grow from everydayactions suchas helping others, showing integrity and havingthe confidenceto pursue one’s ambitions.

This year’s seminaralsopaid tribute to Colette Delaney, who madehistory asthe firstwoman toserveas ChiefExecutiveOfficer of CIBC Caribbean. During hertenure from2018 to2022, sheledtheregionalbankthrough

the challengesof theCOVID19pandemic andbecame known for encouraging mentorship andprofessional growth among young women.

The Girl Guides Association saidthe seminarreflectsmany of those same values by encouraging girlsto believein theirabilitiesand striveforexcellencein whateverpaththey choose.

For manyof thestudents in attendance, theevent provided anopportunity tomeetpeers fromdifferent schoolswhile taking part in activities that encouraged teamwork,communication and self-confidence.

Karra Hanna brings home bronze

little details of what happened in Panama and focused more on my mindset, and that made a big difference.”

Although he’s still a junior, Johnson said he feels he’s making some giant strides as he competes in the senior division.

“It was a strong performance and a step in the right direction in my growth in -73kg,” he stated.  Johnson is heading back to Montreal, Canada, where he will get ready for his next competition at Senior Pan-American Championships in Panama April 18-19 with Hanna and Bain.

After that, Johnson and Hanna will go to the CAC Games in the Dominican Republic and then the Commonwealth Games that will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, July 23 to August 2.