04012026 NEWS

“We

CLOCK IS TICKING

ON VAT SOLUTION

Super Value’s president ‘very hopeful’ balance can be struck to benefit businesses and consumers on

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor

SUPER Value’s president yesterday voiced optimism that the Government will strike a “mutually beneficial solution” over the food distribution industry’s VAT ‘exempt’ fears but warned that time is running out with the first relevant tax returns due in just six weeks. Debra Symonette, speaking ahead of VAT’s elimination on uncooked foods which takes effect today, told Tribune

Business she is “very hopeful” that a balance can be struck where Bahamians enjoy the benefits from the tax relief without “significantly increasing” merchants’ expenses and eating into their profits. Any “additional burden”, she reiterated, will force retailers to increase prices on other products “to stay in business” - potentially negating the benefits shoppers will receive from slashing the VAT rate on all uncooked foods from 5 percent to zero with effect from April 1. SEE BUSINESS FOR STORY

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor

PRIME Minister Philip Davis yesterday questioned how the Free National Movement plans to fund its proposed $200 monthly stipend for new parents, warning that such promises must be backed by clear revenue sources.

“Wherever you make these promises, you have to be able to show how you're going to fund it,” he told reporters. “So the promises we're going to make, we'll be able to identify the source of revenue to be able to fund it.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A HAITIAN man was denied bail yesterday after being accused of using a fraudulent passport and National Insurance Board card. The matter comes amid heightened scrutiny of passport and identification fraud in The Bahamas, an issue that the Free National Movement has pushed into the political arena as the general election approaches. Prosecutors allege John Doe, also known as “John Markervens Louis”, 36,

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip Davis said the government is still weighing intervention to ease rising gas prices, while looking to competition legislation in a new term as a longer-term solution.

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

TWO Doris Johnson Senior High School students charged in connection with a viral campus brawl have been recommended for placement in Programme SURE, a decision their parents are opposing.

His comments came as major retailers increased fuel prices, with officials pointing to global oil market pressures driven by conflict in the Middle East and supply chain disruptions.

“We are going to look again to see how we can

Sixteen-year-olds Kenaj Bain and Durell Farrington, both eleventh graders, were charged with fighting last month. Video of the incident showed a chaotic scene as a group of boys exchanged blows. After pleading guilty, both were ordered to

Govt breaks ground on modern 19-court complex

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

GROUND was broken yesterday for a new 19-court judicial complex off Shirley Street, a project officials say will modernise the country’s court system and expand its capacity.

The 342,000-squarefoot facility will rise seven to eight storeys and include multiple hearing rooms, two appeal courts and a remand centre capable of holding up to 24 people.

The development required the demolition of the abandoned Rodney E Bain building.

Chief Justice Ian Winder said the current court campus is “ill-suited” to meet the country’s needs over the next 50 years.

“We need a modern court facility outfitted with adequate technology and facilities to support the type of staff which are now required for the judiciary. Our physical plant has not kept pace with the growth of the bench, the increased size of the bar, the workload of the court and the security threats, which were not envisioned when these buildings were first commissioned,” he said.

He noted that while the judiciary is structured to include 25 judges plus the chief justice, existing space constraints make that difficult to achieve.

“On the criminal side, best practices of the court complexes ensure that inmates are going to be segregated from the judges,” he said. “That interaction is limited and there are suitable holding facilities. Of note, this does not happen in today's court infrastructure.”

He said the facility will include holding stations, meal preparation areas, CCTV monitoring, jury rooms, exhibit rooms and a multi-level parking garage.

The complex will also house judges’ chambers, registrar offices and a multi-purpose convention and theatre suite.

Architect Michael Foster said the design includes 19 courtrooms, with nine designated for criminal matters and eight for civil cases, along with six hearing rooms and two appeal courts. He said there is also potential for future expansion.

Mr Foster added that additional properties along Charlotte Street, including the Jacaranda site, could be acquired to secure the full block bounded by Charlotte, Parliament, Shirley and East Hill streets.

Prime Minister Philip Davis said the project reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law.

“This is a major step forward that many within the legal and judiciary worlds have advocated for over the years, the

Attorney General Ryan Pinder said the new complex will address longstanding deficiencies, including the separation of inmates from judges and improved security.

voices did not fall on deaf ears,” he said. “I dare say, many years ago, my voice was loaned to that chorus that spoke about the state of our judiciary and our legal worlds. We heard you, and this complex, when it is completed, will be a product of the government's commitment to reform combined with your persistence and your advocacy.”

Mr Davis also pointed to broader efforts to

strengthen law enforce ment, including the hiring of 787 police officers, 379 correc tional officers and more than 300 immigration officers.

The Supreme Court of The Bahamas was established in 1896 under the Supreme Court Act. Its current Bank Lane complex, which houses four courts, dates back to 1921.

Govt signs $6.8m contracts for two Exuma cays airport upgrades

By Lynaire Munnings Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

A $6.8m investment has been approved to upgrade airports in Farmers Cay and Staniel Cay, with construction set to begin by the end of April and take about eight months. Officials said about $5.7m of the total will go toward the airport works. Airside upgrades will be carried out by Rowdy Boys Construction, while A and E Construction will build a new terminal at Farmers Cay.

The projects are part of the government’s Family Island Airport Renaissance initiative, aimed at improving connectivity, supporting tourism and expanding economic opportunities.

Minister of Works Clay Sweeting said the works will include reconstruction and overlay of existing runways, along with upgrades to apron and pavement areas at both airports. At Farmers Cay, the runway will measure about 50 feet wide and 2,170 feet long, while works at Staniel Cay will cover an area 70 feet wide and 2,827 feet long.

A new terminal will also be built at Farmers Cay, featuring a ticket counter, private area, restrooms, office space, seating for at least 20 passengers and covered verandas.

Officials said the upgrades will allow the airports to accommodate aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan at Farmers Cay and the Cessna 408 SkyCourier at Staniel Cay, improving reliability for domestic carriers including Flamingo Air and Titan Air.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper said the investment is intended to strengthen infrastructure in the Family Islands.

“Demand without infrastructure will ultimately lead to frustration, and that is why we are creating improved infrastructural conditions to facilitate more flights, more consistent service, and greater confidence from airlines and operators,” he said.

“Today is not just a signing of contracts. It is about unlocking potential, advancing opportunity and driving economic growth,” he said.

Chief Financial Officer of Rowdy Boys Construction Jaylan Knowles said the project is significant for the company, which built the Farmers Cay Airport in 2002 and carried out roadworks and water mains in both Farmers Cay and Staniel Cay. He said the company plans to employ local workers and may re-engage people involved in earlier projects.

Construction will begin in Farmers Cay before moving to Staniel Cay. Mr Knowles said mobilisation will start once final approvals are completed, with ground-breaking expected by the end of April.

Addressing concerns about contract awards, Mr Cooper said airport construction requires specialised expertise.

“There are not many companies in The Bahamas with the capacity to build runways, and therefore you may see a few companies repeated across the islands,” he said.

He added that all contracts are awarded through a competitive procurement process.

Mr Cooper also gave updates on other airport projects, including expansion works at Exuma International Airport, where the departure lounge is being expanded to accommodate up to 400 passengers. He said construction has reached the second floor.

He said work at North Eleuthera Airport is also progressing, with preliminary upgrades completed and airside works underway, including clearing at the eastern end of the runway. Further development is expected once environmental and geotechnical assessments are completed.

Parents claim self-defence in viral high school brawl

undergo conflict-resolution counselling and to complete community service. Bain was also suspended for two weeks, and both were told to return to school after serving the suspension.

However, when they returned, they were informed they would instead be placed in Programme SURE for six months.

The programme is designed to help students with behavioural challenges in a smaller, more targeted learning environment.

Their parents say the placement is inappropriate.

Bain’s mother, nurse Kelda Forbes, said her son acted in self-defence after being hit with a rock. Farrington’s mother, Anya Taylor, said her son was protecting Bain and was not involved in the fight.

“My son is not even a Programme SURE child,” she said. “If you check his record, he never got in problems in school. I just drop him to school and pick him up. I does be there before the bell even ring so he don’t even have time to be idle.”

Mrs Forbes said her son is not a problem student and is often praised by teachers. She also questioned how the placement would affect his graduation, as he is due to finish school

next year.

“The programme is six months, which would be more than half of grade 12, so how is he really coming to complete grade 12,” she said. “He wants to be an orthopaedic doctor. Last year, he completed the Doctor’s Hospital STEM programme when he was in for a year, and he was one of the top males in my class.”

Education Director Dominique McCartney-Russell said recommendations for Programme SURE are made by a Ministry of Education team, not the school.

She said principals submit referrals with disciplinary reports, which are then reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

While she could not comment on the specific cases, she said three students involved in the fight were recommended for the programme.

Mrs Forbes believes her son’s placement was influenced by a strained relationship with a top school official.

She said issues began about two years ago after her son transferred from a school in the United States while coping with his father’s death.

She alleged that in 2024 her son was involved in an altercation with a security officer who struck him first, leaving him injured. She said the school sought

to suspend him, but the matter was taken to the Ministry of Education. After a review, the officer was removed and an apology issued.

She said a separate incident later that year involved her son picking up a small bag with suspected drugs from the bleachers, which a female friend opened and consumed before becoming ill. Although tests found no drugs in his system, she said he was still suspended and accused of supplying drugs.

She said another incident occurred last March when a fight broke out. She said her son left the area and went to the office because he felt unsafe, but was later suspended for being out of class.

Mrs Forbes said her son was initially among the students arrested in connection with the latest fight and told he would be charged, but was later informed he was not involved.

Govt weighs intervention to ease rising

intervene,” Mr Davis said.

“But we have to again, balance that with any loss, how that loss may be made up when we intervene.”

Mr Davis said any effort to reduce taxes on fuel would require replacing lost government revenue.

“First of all, whenever you talk about tax relief from a legislative point of view, you have to also look at how you replace. That’s a loss of income for the country,” Mr Davis said.

He added that new legislation aimed at addressing cost pressures is not likely in the immediate term, with Parliament prorogued, but said competition legislation is being prepared.

“We have on our drawing boards as we speak, introducing what they call a competition legislation to ensure that we’re able to check the points of value chain that produces the cost at the end of the day to the retailer to see whether there is any way we can break up what I call any monopoly along that line,” he said. “So competition legislation is on the agenda, and that’s

what we’re looking forward to in the new term.”

He drew a distinction between government-controlled measures like the VAT reduction, which takes effect today and global fuel prices.

“That’s two different strain of pressure,” he said. “Gas prices, no doubt, will have some impact on costs, but in

Despite this, she said the

gas prices

this instance, we’re talking about costs that we could control,” he said. “As I indicated, what we can do, we will do. We have control over VAT and taxes. We are creating savings for the Bahamian people. We expect that that will be provided to them.”

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, meanwhile, stressed in a separate interview that global factors are driving the increase in fuel prices.

“You would be aware that many of the cost-ofliving type issues that we are confronted with are not of our making,” he said. “They are external to The Bahamas, as is the case with the increase in oil prices. Given the state of the world, the war in the Middle East, ongoing tensions, disruption of supply chain, you have the result of higher oil prices.”

Suspicious package forces evacuation at Buckeye Hub in Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WORKERS at the Buckeye Bahamas Hub were evacuated yesterday morning after a suspicious package was found near the facility, forcing a temporary shutdown of operations.

In a statement, the company said that in line with security and emergency protocols, the package was promptly reported to local authorities and investigated.

Authorities conducted a full search of the West Sunrise Highway facility and found no threat. Operations were later resumed.

“We appreciate the swift response and coordination of local emergency and security officials,” the company said.

school refused to allow him to return, forcing her to escalate the matter to the Ministry of Education.

“I had to fight to put him back in school for something he didn’t do,” she said. She said her son has remained at home since the latest incident and has become increasingly depressed, losing weight and at times breaking down in tears.

She said other parents told her school officials had labelled him a drug dealer

and a “bad seed.” Mrs Forbes said she has been unable to secure a direct meeting with education officials.

Yesterday, Mrs McCartney-Russell said parents should first raise concerns with the principal and, if unresolved, escalate the matter to the district superintendent.

“We like to go up the chain because they are on the ground and they are more aware of what’s going on so you always want to start from there,” she said.

PM warns GBPA over removal of Freeport campaign signs

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama

Port Authority has removed election campaign signs in Freeport, drawing a response from Prime Minister Philip Davis, who warned against interference with political expression.

“We're addressing that in short order,” Mr Davis told reporters yesterday, adding “there's no reason why campaign posters” from political parties should be removed. “It's an expression of free speech, and it ought not to be interfered with, and I'm going to be addressing that.”

The GBPA said it removed signs it deemed unauthorised from locations across Freeport, arguing the displays violated its bye-laws.

The agency said the signs are being held at

regulations,

“It’s an expression of free speech, and it ought not to be interfered with, and I’m going to be addressing that.”

signage,” the GBPA said. “It is regrettable that the lawful enforcement of applicable regulations, and the protection of property rights, has been characterised as theft.”

Police Superintendent Nicholas Johnson told The Tribune he was unaware of any criminal complaints related to the matter.

The GBPA said campaign signs had been erected without approval and outside the established framework, including on verges owned by the GBPA Group of Companies.

It said the parties responsible were warned that the signage was unauthorised and given an opportunity to remove it.

“Despite this notice, the signage was not removed and additional signs were erected in unauthorized locations.”

Under the Freeport (Control of Advertisements) Bye-laws, signage in the Port Area requires prior approval. Limited exceptions for election-related advertisements apply only after a Writ of Election is issued.

Last Friday, signs from Progressive Liberal Party candidates were placed along East Sunrise Highway and Pioneer’s Way, where both PLP and Free National Movement signage had appeared. The GBPA said it had engaged representatives of political parties and independent candidates ahead of the election period to outline the requirements and encourage compliance.

“They were further notified that, if the signs were not removed, the GBPA would proceed with their removal in accordance with established procedures,” the authority said.

PM warn unfunded political promises could lead to tax increases for Bahamians

“I don’t want to comment on their promises, because promises will continue to be made. But at the end of the day, how are they going to fund it?”

His remarks came after the FNM outlined a plan to provide $200 per month in support to qualifying parents, particularly in the first two years after a child’s birth. The party estimates

the initiative would cost between $12m and $14m annually.

Mr Davis suggested such commitments could carry broader fiscal consequences.

“I could say,” he said, “I’m going to give you $500 a month as a single mother. So what does that mean? Does that translate into me raising taxes again, or going back and saying, well, the VAT now have to move back to 12

percent. Or I have to place it back on food by five percent to be able to make up for what I’m going to be doing?

“Recognising now, at the end of the day, whatever we do, we are monitored by multilateral agencies like the IMF and their view of our economy matters much for an economy such as ours.”

The FNM said the proposal forms part of a broader effort to ease

the burden on families and support workforce participation. Elizabeth Estates candidate Heather Hunt previously said the initiative would target single-income households, particularly mothers facing challenges returning to work due to childcare costs. She said the party believes the programme can be funded by reducing what it describes as wasteful government spending.

In a statement yesterday, FNM leader Michael Pintard said the initiative would provide direct support to qualifying caregivers, including those who are working or actively seeking employment. He said the programme would include income thresholds to ensure assistance is targeted and estimated that $12m to $14m annually would go directly to families.

programme without

ing taxes or increasing the deficit.

The proposal comes as political debate intensifies ahead of the next general election, with both major parties outlining approaches to easing costof-living pressures.

Groundbreaking set for ‘bigger and better’ CostRight store one year after blaze

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A YEAR after the CostRight food store was destroyed by a massive fire, officials have revealed that a groundbreaking ceremony will be held this month at the Old Trail site to begin rebuilding.

AML chairman Franklyn Butler announced yesterday that the ceremony is scheduled for April 13th and invited customers to attend. The store is expected to reopen in early 2027.

“That store is going to be big and better,” Mr Butler said during a tour with the Prime Minister of another store. “We're looking forward to serving you valuable customers again, where you get more for your money, and that's what we're known for.”

The original store was destroyed in a massive

blaze in April last year that engulfed the Hyacinth Stuart Building and nearby commercial properties, forcing evacuations, halting operations at major retailers, and disrupting the planned move-in of several government departments. The fire broke out late in the morning and raged into the evening, affecting the newly constructed multi-agency facility as well as Solomon’s Old Trail and CostRight. Smoke and flames forced the closure of the East-West Highway, and nearby businesses, including Cable Bahamas, were evacuated.

Emergency services responded swiftly, with 60 to 70 police officers, both on and off duty, deployed to the scene. They were assisted by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and seven officers from the airport. Firefighters used four fire units, each carrying 1,000 gallons of water, to

contain the blaze.

AML Foods Limited later confirmed that all staff and customers were safely evacuated before the fire spread, crediting the quick actions of store teams and established emergency protocols. Three firefighters were injured during the response, two of whom required hospital care. In July, Tribune Business reported that AML Foods received more than $23m from its insurers to cover the damage and losses caused by the mid-April blaze, which destroyed its Solomon’s Old Trail and CostRight stores. The BISX-listed food retail and franchise group, in its fourth quarter and annual results announcement for the period ending April 2025, said it had largely received the anticipated insurance payouts to offset the $21m combined loss caused by the fire.

Man accused of using fake passport and ID denied bail

uttered a fraudulent Ministry of Foreign Affairs document and NIB card in his name to the passport office on April 10, 2023. He is further accused of fraudulently obtaining a Bahamian passport and NIB card in his name on July 11, 2023.

The defendant was allegedly found in possession of the same fraudulent passport and NIB card on March 14. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of a false document, possession of a fraudulent document, uttering a false document, uttering a fraudulent document and two counts of fraud by false pretences before

Deputy Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville. Inspector Cordero Farrington, the prosecutor, objected to bail, citing the defendant’s immigration status. The defendant was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his bail hearing on April 17. Maria Daxon represented the accused.

Man accused in teen gang rape granted $15,000 bail by judge

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused in the gang rape of a 14-yearold girl in a bathroom on Kemp Road last August had been granted bail. Paul Francois, 27, was granted $15,000 bail under strict conditions on a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse by Justice Jeannine Weech Gomez. Under the terms of his bail, he must sign in at his nearest police station every Monday and Friday by 7pm. He was warned not to interfere with any witnesses and ordered not to come within 100 feet of the complainant or her home.

Francois must surrender his travel documents until the completion of his trial. Prosecutors allege Francois forcefully had sexual intercourse with the girl at a house she was visiting on August 13, 2025. His co-accused, Karshorn Deveaux, 22, Henrico McPhee, 18, Charlton Curtis, 23, and a 15-year-old boy, were arraigned last August. In his bail application, Francois said he was innocent of the offence. He also claimed he did not know the complainant or her age. Prior to being remanded, Francois said he worked at Wong’s Home Center and assisted a family member who was suffering from cancer.

Francois said he had lived in Kemp Road all his life and would not abscond on bail.

The prosecution objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the offence, the cogency of the evidence, and the absence of unreasonable delay in the trial.

The court noted that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that he is the father of a young daughter and a newborn son.

The court also acknowledged that the defendant has prior convictions, but none of a similar nature, for which he has served his time.

Shaneka Carey was the prosecutor.

Mom fined $1,500 after choking teacher at parent conference

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MOTHER who choked a teacher during a Parent Teacher Conference at SC McPherson High School was fined and ordered to pay for damage to school trophies.

Natasha Mills, 36, told the teacher she felt like choking him while in a meeting with the school’s principal and the teacher. She then lunged across the desk and choked him. While pushing the teacher against a door, Mills knocked down and damaged three of the school’s trophies. Mills pleaded guilty to

Man arrested as police investigate two separate sexual assaults

POLICE are investigating two alleged incidents of sexual assault.

In the first incident, which occurred at a residence on Fox Hill, the 20-yearold female complainant reported to police that shortly after 7am, she and two other women were at a business establishment on Prince Charles Drive when an unknown male began buying them drinks, which they accepted. One of the women left the establishment, leaving just two of them.

Sometime later, as they were leaving the establishment, the male offered them something to eat from

his residence, after which he would drop them off at home, to which they agreed.

The complainant alleged that while at the male residence, she fell asleep but remained conscious of her surroundings. She said she felt the man lift her and take her to a bedroom, and told her to sleep there. She said while in the bedroom, the male began touching her; she attempted to resist and verbally told him to stop, but he overpowered her and sexually assaulted her.

She escaped the residence after the man fell asleep and told her female friend about the incident. As a

result, they were taken to the Elizabeth Estates Police Station by a friend, where they reported the matter and requested police action. In response, officers from Elizabeth Estates Police Station arrested a 28-year-old male suspect who is assisting with this investigation. In the second incident, sometime around 7.41pm, the Duty Sister and Princess Margaret Hospital reported to police that a 16-year-old female was brought into the hospital from a Family Island, where she reported that she was sexually assaulted.

75-YEAR-OLD PEDESTRIAN DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK ON EAST WEST HIGHWAY

A 75 -YEAR-OLD man has died after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross East West Highway late Friday night. Police said the incident occurred around 11pm on March 27, when a green

2014 Honda Vezel, driven by a woman, collided with the pedestrian. According to initial reports, the vehicle was travelling east along the south-eastern-bound lane of East West Highway when it struck the man

as

where he later died on Saturday.

causing harm and damage before Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs.

After expressing remorse, she was fined $1,500 and ordered to reimburse the school for the damage. Failure to comply with either condition will result in a three-month prison term.

Man ordered to pay $700 after failing to renew rifle licence

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was ordered to bring his firearm licensing fees up to date or risk a year in prison after he was found with a rifle and more than 200 rounds of ammunition.

Jarmon Adderley, 32, failed to renew his licence for a black Mossberg .22 rifle with 266 rounds of ammunition on March 28 in New Providence. Adderley pleaded guilty to possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition with intent to supply before Magistrate Lennox Coleby. He was ordered to pay $700 to regularise his lapsed licence or face a one-year prison term.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie was the prosecutor.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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

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Why a fixed date won’t work here

EDITOR, The Tribune.

@tribune242 tribune news network

No clear role for Bahamas in Haiti

Early on Sunday morning, a gang launched a concerted attack on a town in Haiti.

Petite-Riviere-de-l’Artibonite is a town with a history. It was once the scene of one of the most important battles of the Haitian Revolution, one Jean-Jacques Dessalines defeated the French army. That history seems very far away from the present state of the situation in Haiti.

In the attack on Sunday, at least 30 people were reported dead and dozens more missing after the attack by the Gran Grif gang. One human rights spokesperson, Bertide Horace, said: “The area is completely deserted. Only the gangs have control.”

Another human rights lawyer, Antonal Mortimé, said 70 people were believed killed, based on reports from activists.

Police officers, backed by Kenyan police leading a UN mission, helped to rescue people in the Jean-Denis neighbourhood, but the gang had prepared for that, digging large holes to prevent police from entering. Officers put the number of dead as at least 16, with ten more injured by gunfire.

The range of those estimates shows part of the problem – the chaos that is affecting Haiti in its present state.

As Bertide Horace also said: “Communication is very bad.”

The situation remains relevant to The Bahamas in many ways, not least because we have only recently welcomed our own officers back from their mission in Haiti.

When National Security Minister Wayne Munroe spoke about the mission in 2024, he said that the government would ensure that any terms of engagement were reasonable and safe.

He said “any terms of engagement are not only reasonable and logical, but as safe as can possibly be for the serving men and women of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force”.

When the marines returned in midMarch, the situation was described as dangerous and humbling.

One officer said: “The security on the base where we were staying had us carrying weapons on us at all times, including when we went to the bathroom.”

Acting Commander Alexis Brown said of the mission: “As our tour of duty with the gang suppression force came to an end, the team and I reflected with

great pride on the work that has been accomplished during our time there.”

He talked of improving conditions – and even seeing people coming out jogging rather than hiding in their homes.

Progress, perhaps, but the Gran Grif attack shows just how far so much of Haiti has to go. The mission has been changing in Haiti. The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission included Bahamian involvement. A proposed UN Gang Suppression Force has yet to fully materialise. That is supposed to happen this month, as the Kenyan officers withdraw. That process is ongoing, rather than a definite matter, it seems.

In December, 18 countries reportedly pledged to contribute money or personnel, or both, to the mission. The actual mission has not yet come together. Where that leaves the previous mission and its moment to hand off to the new remains unclear.

Also unclear in that is the role of The Bahamas in all this.

Meanwhile, Haiti has started to implement austerity measures as the war in Iran disrupts oil supplies and drives up prices.

A ban has been imposed on the purchase of any new vehicles, and the government is limiting foreign travel to essential missions authorised by the prime minister.

There is little to no sign of Haiti getting any closer to being safe enough to hold elections – and that in turn, with gangs thriving in the state, continues to have a knock-on effect for the region, including drugs and guns being smuggled to and through Haiti.

A statement by Prime Minister Alix Didier File-Aimé said: “The government has no choice but to further reduce state spending.”

Our near neighbour is in a terrible state – while the exodus of residents there continues for those who are able to buy a way out of there.

Collectively, the region – and the world – ought to help find a path out of this situation, but there seems little collective will to do so.

That could, in time, mean more Bahamian troops being sent into that dangerous and humbling situation.

Haiti, once home of a famous revolution, now needs resolution – but if there were easy answers, they would already have been found.

GBPA being spiteful?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

NOBODY seems there have noticed that the GBPA ownership, the St George and Hayward families, were not present at the recent town hall meeting to discuss the historic Tribunal rulings against Freeport’s quasi government. Also, absent was GBPA President Ian Rolle. While PM Brave Davis and his ambitious PLP government failed to secure the $356 million they believe the GBPA owes the Bahamian people, it surreptitiously regained control of Freeport when the Tribunal rejected seven of the GBPA’s counterclaims. Now like a dog licking its wounds, the GBPA has retaliated by removing political billboards strewn through the city of Freeport on the early hours of March 31. While the erection of the billboards violated GBPA regulations, this latest move is being rightly interpreted as the GBPA being petty, spiteful and vindictive. This is the Hayward and St George families’ way of getting back at Davis for attempting to break the GBPA’s stranglehold on Freeport.

The GBPA has far more weightier matters pertaining to Freeport to address. The roads are in bad shape; many dilapidated buildings are throughout the city; underemployment is high; the economy is a complete mess and the stopover tourism industry is non-existent. The City of Freeport is crumbling. And while the infrastructure is deteriorating, the GBPA, as utilities regulator, has green lighted the GB Power Company to further drain struggling Bahamians of what little revenue they have left. The GB Power Company is operating unilaterally with no external restraints from URCA. It is a nightmare on East Mall Drive. And the Bahamian big wigs at the GBPA are too busy enriching themselves to care about their fellow Bahamians. Investors have no interest in dealing with the GBPA. This has to be the case, as the number of foreign investors of Freeport has significantly declined. We are now convinced that GBPA executives have no international reach or connections. They don’t know

OVER the years, fixed election dates have been spoken of in Bahamian public life as though they were plainly a good thing. Politicians have promised them. Many electors have accepted the idea at face value. Yet beyond the headline, the issue has not been examined with nearly enough care. The real questions are whether such a proposal is truly feasible within our constitutional framework and whether, once properly understood, it is even desirable.

The Bahamas does not operate under an American constitutional model. That distinction matters. The United States is built around fixed executive terms and a system of separated powers that can accommodate a genuinely fixed electoral timetable. Our Constitution is not arranged that way. It is arranged on Westminster lines around responsible government, parliamentary confidence, dissolution and continuing mandate.

Our Constitution makes that clear. Article 66 provides that Parliament continues for five years from its first sitting and then stands dissolved, unless sooner dissolved. Article 67 requires a general election after dissolution. Article 73 makes the Prime Minister the person who commands, or is most likely to command, the support of the majority in the House of Assembly. Article 74 provides that if the Government loses a vote of confidence, the Prime Minister must within seven days either resign or advise dissolution unless confidence is restored. Those provisions are not isolated clauses. They form part of one constitutional design.

LETTERS

letters@tribunemedia.net

That design is built around mandate. In a Westminster system, a government does not remain in office simply because there is time left on the clock. It remains in office because it continues to command the confidence of the elected House and therefore retains the authority to govern. If that mandate fails, the system must be able to return to the people. That is why an absolutely fixed election date does not sit naturally within such a framework. Once one preserves the necessary constitutional route for earlier dissolution where confidence is lost or government breaks down, the date is no longer truly fixed in any absolute sense.

That is also why there is so little meaningful precedent in the Westminster world for an absolutely fixed election date. Where so called fixed dates exist, they are generally qualified by constitutional escape valves. Canada is a clear example. Section 56.1 of the Canada Elections Act establishes a regular polling day, but expressly states that nothing in the section affects the powers of the Governor General, including the power to dissolve Parliament. Even there, therefore, the date is not truly fixed. It is a default date operating within a system that still preserves dissolution.

The United Kingdom’s experience is even more instructive. Its principal modern experiment was the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011. That experiment did not endure. It was repealed by the Dissolution and

Calling of Parliament Act 2022, which restored the prior dissolution position. The British Government itself said the 2011 Act had caused constitutional chaos and parliamentary gridlock. That is not the history of a reform that settled comfortably into Westminster government. It is the history of a reform that failed and had to be reversed.

There is also a practical difficulty. We may spend time, money and legislative effort trying to establish a fixed election date, only to produce a system in which the necessary constitutional exceptions leave the date fixed in name more than in reality. In a Westminster system, those exceptions are unavoidable. That in turn creates a problem of credibility. If voters are promised fixed election dates, but what is ultimately delivered is only a qualified date subject to dissolution where the Constitution requires it, then the reform will have been sold on a false impression. That is not a sound basis for constitutional change. In short, the issue is not whether fixed election dates sound attractive. Many things sound attractive in the abstract. The issue is whether they fit the constitutional system we actually have. The United States is built for fixed dates. Westminster systems are built for mandates. The Bahamas belongs to the latter tradition, not the former. For that reason, the promise of a truly fixed election date is not merely difficult. In our system, it is fundamentally misleading.

TAVARES K LaRODA Counsel & Attorney Nassau, March 30, 2026.

Complacency and inertia in politics

anyone on Wall Street, Silicone Valley and Washington DC. The sole purpose of the ownership of the GBPA is to collect taxes. Freeport is their private business. The removal of the PLP campaign signs is their way of flipping the bird to PM Davis. It’s their petty way of getting back at him. They resent him for stating that the PLP is the government of Freeport, not the GBPA. The Hayward and St George families must be cheering for the FNM to win the government. This will be their only way of continuing the devastating status quo in Freeport. Davis must move expeditiously to assert the PLP government’s control of Freeport. Free Grand Bahamians of the foreign tyranny that has suffocated the island and its hurting people. And shame on those at the GBPA for removing the PLP signs.

Sick and tired of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

SICK AND TIRED Freeport, Grand Bahama March 31, 2026.

EDITOR, The Tribune. LIKE many creatures in the natural world; the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has dewed natural predators. As a PLP before many of those of now espouse the tenets of the Sir Lynden & AD Hanna, I have always believe in a practice the ideology of that party, with no apology. They. et al, were all about wiping away the tears from every eye; comforting the sick; visiting the imprisoned ; feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, bar none. That was the core principle and guiding philosophy of what we commonly call: ‘The poor man’. I am more than persuaded that the Rt Hon Philip Edward Davis, KC, MP, our esteemed Prime Minister is a genuine disciple of Sir Lynden, even if he (the latter) treated Brave like a step child and a political challenger. It is what it is. Brave was the backbone of Messrs Christie; Ingraham & Company.

I submit that had it not been for the herculean efforts and legal acumen of Brave, the other ‘partners’ would Never have had the financial wherewithal and ample time, to enter front line politics. I further submit, that Pindling; Christie & Ingraham Never saw Brave as Prime Ministerial material, for whatever reasons. Pindling, when he held sway over the PLP way back in the 1980’s, allegedly, ‘blocked Brave from getting a PLP nomination.. Whom God blesses; however, no man can curse. Brave was destined, from

before the time he was conceived in his beloved late mother’s womb, with all due respect, was called and ordained to become Prime Minister, on his own merits. I am convinced that Brave is on the right tract But he may well be miss served by a cadre of fake sycophants; bull skaters; highly devious and purely wicked individuals who may have erected a bubble or a bastardise version of ‘The Great Wall of China’, deliberately, around him. I make no apologies for this bold and, possibly, offensive characterisation.

In the few short years that the Davis Administration has been in place, The Bahamas is a far better off place than when my good friend, the Rt Hon Hubert Alexander Minnis (FNM-Killarney) was large and in charge. Many of the ungrateful FNM leadership have sought to ‘blame’ Minnis, solely, for the abject short comings of the FNM back then. The FNM. despite their recent ‘ launch, there have been numerous questions to answer. Those questions, realistically, may have no credible evidence. Question: ‘Why was Pintard ‘obliged’ to step down as National Chairman?’ Why was Dr Duane Sand ‘fired’ long before he knew that he had been fired?

Why was the Hon Peter K Turnquest, then FNM MP for East End, obliged to submit his resignation?

Was it a then high-ranking executive of the FNM, who represented opposing interest to Turnquest and his

‘business’ partner? Now we have another script where a prominent candidate maybe, eventually, obliged to withdraw his ratification?

The FNM may have a bit of glitter and even some traction. Bahamians, however, must ask the salient questions and demand answers of that entity. The PLP, with all due respect, is appearing, to many, to be too laid back; suffering from inertia or even complacency. No blame on anyone BUT, elections are akin to war, but by political means.

The PLP Must pull up its bootstraps and there must not even be any overt signs of complacency and inertia.

The FNM, led by ‘hidden hands’ and Big Money is power hungry and will, I submit, go to great lengths, by any means necessary, to wrest political power from the iconic PLP. In all things, however, to Go be the glory. The majority of them were creased right up in Minnis cabinet and eating their lamb chops, with mint jelly, while under performing, if at all. Collectively, the signed off on the infamous OBAN fiasco.

They were creased right up when Doctor Minnis, foolishly, in my view, decided to purchase the Grand Lucayan Resort, the Biggest white Elephant in the history of our wonderful nation. The Hon Adrian White and his alleged mentor, were also creased right up

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, March 22, 2026.

Whistleblower’s firing sparks investigation into Great Stirrup Cay environmental hazards claim

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE government has launched an investigation into allegations of environmental hazards and retaliatory dismissal at Great Stirrup Cay following a former employee's concerns about safety practices and his termination.

Minister of Environment Zane Lightbourne said the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection is reviewing materials submitted by Daylland Moxey, a former assistant safety manager at the cay, and is preparing an on-site visit.

“He sent videos and emails of communication between him and his supervisors, and since then, the department has reached out to the environmental consultant of this company

that’s on record to provide an update, as regular reports have not at this point reflected what Mr Moxey reported,” Mr Lightbourne said.

“An on-site visit investigation and that sort of thing is what the department is embarking on.”

Mr Moxey said he was terminated on March 8, 13 days after management acknowledged a formal professional non-concurrence he filed on February 23 outlining safety and environmental concerns. He claims the dismissal was retaliatory and said he is still owed wages.

Among the issues raised in his complaint was a fire at a waste site that burned for nearly two weeks, during which contaminated runoff entered nearby coastal waters.

He said workers responding to the fire were not

provided with adequate equipment and relied on masks, while approximately 750,000 gallons of water used to extinguish the blaze carried pollutants to the shoreline and reef environment.

Mr Moxey said hazardous materials burned at the site included marine batteries, PVC pipes, oil containers, paint cans, industrial tyres and scrap construction materials.

He also alleged that improper pesticide mixtures were used in mosquito control operations, including applications near food service areas used by visitors.

“As a health and safety professional, I cannot stand for that,” Mr Moxey said. “When bad things happen, you cannot just let it sit.”

He said he repeatedly refused instructions he believed were unlawful, including carrying out

mosquito control using the pesticide mixture.

“I made it very clear that I was unwilling to budge,” he said, “and I was completely unwilling to compromise. Because one, what are we in this field for? Why are you a safety manager? I'm not here to evaluate you as a worker, but I am here as a competent professional with it, which is a legally binding implication.”

Mr Moxey claimed he was urged to “pick his battles” and proceed with directives despite his objections.

“There’s a lot of pressure. There was instance where she called me abruptly, Dylland, I need you to go spray the mosquitoes,” he said.” And I said, no, I can't. I won't. It's illegal. I've already made that clear. And then she hangs up the phone.”

He said he was

terminated for failing probation, despite not being given a job description, performance evaluation or disciplinary record.

Following his dismissal, Mr Moxey said he was offered $2,865.24 on condition he sign an agreement waiving further claims, despite being owed about $6,500, including one month’s notice pay. He said he rejected the offer and that only the partial payment was made. He shared a copy of the purported correspondence with The Tribune.

Mr Moxey said his treatment by management changed after he raised his concerns.

“I received essentially a 180 turn of treatment when it comes to senior management,” he said. He said he reported his concerns to several agencies, including the

Department of Labour, the Port Department’s ISPS Unit, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, the Department of Environmental Health Services and the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

Labour Director Howard Thompson confirmed yesterday that he and his team met with Mr Moxey and said he was seeking an update on the matter.

Mr Moxey said he later filed a formal trade dispute after follow-up did not occur, and he became concerned about time limits. Since raising his concerns, he said other workers have contacted him describing similar experiences.

Great Stirrup Cay’s human resources director declined to comment on the allegations.

Forestry Unit marks awareness week with tree planting at Grand Bahama school

THE Forestry Unit planted

two Yellow Elder trees at Holmes Rock Junior High School in Grand Bahama this week as part of its Forestry Awareness Week activities.

The tree-planting ceremony, which included students and staff, coincided with the 2026 International Day of Forests under the theme “Forests and Economies.”

Officials selected the Yellow Elder, the national flower of The Bahamas, to highlight both the country's natural heritage and the environmental benefits of flowering trees.

The Forestry Unit noted that such trees are vital for biodiversity, providing essential nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to sustain healthy ecosystems.

Beyond their ecological value, the unit emphasised that trees improve air and water quality, reduce soil erosion, provide shade, and support sustainable livelihoods through eco-tourism and the green economy.

The initiative aimed to engage young students and invest in the next generation of environmental custodians.

“When children plant a tree, they plant a future,” the Forestry Unit said in a statement.

The unit is encouraging schools, businesses, and community groups across the country to participate in greening initiatives to protect Bahamian forests and build a sustainable economy.

Voting and the will of the people

LAST week,in thefinal sitting of Parliament before it was prorogued,Member of Parliamentfor FortCharlotte Alfred Searssaid, "Ihave other concerns, such as campaign finance reform,so that weprotecttheintegrityofour politicalprocess.Becausethe wealthiest people in the world live righthere. We should always ensure that the money doesnot determine theoutcome, butthe willof the people, because they’re the sovereigns.We should have afixed electiondate so thatwebring certaintytothe business of our country.” Transparency and accountability havelong beenbuzzwordswhen itcomesto governance inThe Bahamas. There’semptytalkandnoaction toaddress thetremendousissueof distrustinthe government. Itbegins with thelackofinformationonthe entities funding political campaigns. Evidenceof the origin of funding would certainly show the public who reallyruns thecountryand thisis, ofcourse, thereason government administration after government administrationhas deniedthepeople campaign financereform. The politicalinfluence ofthe wealthy, and widespread corruption continue largely unchecked.

Even the public disclosure law is ignored, and without consequence. It shouldbe no surprisethat thepeopleare losinginterest inthepolitical process andvoting, inparticular, feeling that this onceevery-five-years power is not whatitonce seemed.It’s not nothing, but it is insufficient. The people havebeen discouraged from participating inthegovernance ofTheBahamas throughflawed systems, nonsensicalrules and procedures, misinformation, terrible service,victimization,and representativeswho are completely uninspiring. Rather thanincreasing investmentin buildingthe countrywe need,thelacklustreperformance ofthe government has led people to findpaths toleaveor totread water andignore thepolitical and economic environments if they findthemselves unable to move.

On March 13,2026, this newspaper reported that Prime MinisterPhilip Davis said, All I can say is that the electionswould besoon. That sall I dbe preparedto sayatthis time.” This came after ProgressiveLiberal Party Chairman Fred

Mitchell said that the next general election will be held within weeks. Parliament was prorogued on March 27, 2026, formally ending the currentsessionandsignalling thattheelection willsoonbe called. It’s expectedthatParliament willbe dissolved next week, following the Easter holiday weekend, and theelection datewill beset. Therehas beenspeculation for several weeks that it wouldbeheldduringthefirst week of May.

This iswhere we areas a country playing guessing games, trying to follow the cluesdropped bypeoplein positions of power. Not only doesthe secrecyandtrickery aroundthe electiondate annoy other political parties, but it disadvantages voters who must make their best guess aboutdecisions that could endup preventing them from participating. Is thisthe goal,or awelcome unintendedconsequence?

InSeptember2024,despite campaignfinancereformfeaturing in the202 “Blueprint for Change, Davis was clear in his disinterestin moving it forward. I don t know where this issue of campaign finance came up,but for me, I will not disclose the donors to ourcampaign unlessthe donors will bewilling to allow meto, he said. This does not suggestrespect for the peopleor thepolitical processin asupposed democracy.

Initsfinalreportfollowing the2021generalelection,the Commonwealth Observer Group team appointed by the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral and invited by the GovernmentofTheBahamas to observe theelection reportedthatitidentifiedalack ofcampaign financelegislation ascause forconcern. It made recommendations accordingly – includingon the enactment of such legislation before the next election. It also noted that The Bahamas issignatorytotheUnitedNations Convention Against Corruption andInter-American Democratic Charter of the Organization of AmericanStates, bothof whichincludeobligations relatedto campaignfinance.Itreported that most ofthe stakeholders it engaged agreedthat campaignfinance regulationis important.

In thissame report,The Commonwealth Observer Group pointed to the continued concern raisedin its

While it may feel momentarily satisfying to withdraw from the process entirely, it’s imperative that we,the people, show up to cast our ballots.

2017 report."The absenceof regulations orguidelines to campaign financinglimits canlead toexcessive spendingby onepartyover theother, accusationsofimproperuse ofstateresources forcampaigning andlackof transparencyand publicaccountability forthe parties, it stated.

The Commonwealth Observer Group recommended:

1.The Parliamentary Registration Department should consider thedevelopment of a code of conduct for politicalpartiesandcandidates,in consultation with electoral stakeholders.

2.The governmentand the Houseof Assemblyshould initiate consultationson the developmentof aregulatory framework governingcampaign financing prior to the nextelection inorder topromote fairness, transparency, and accountability.

These recommendations, likemanyothers inthe2021 and 2017 reports, have not been actioned to better positionthe Bahamianpeopleto participate in frontline politics,assessoptionsonandoff theballot,monitorthebudget and decision-making,and have access to opportunity andoutcomes currentlyreserved for the wealthy.

Wecontinue tosuffer through what appearsto be a rigged game,though our lives are on the line.

Whileit mayfeelmomentarilysatisfying towithdraw from the processentirely, it’s imperative that we, the people, showup tocast our ballots.Itmaynotbewithexcitement.Itmaynotbeanendorsement.It maynoteven beforapersonoracandidate (and spoiling one’s ballot is a valid decision and action).

Itis, however,anannouncementof presenceand willingness to participate, evenwhen it s difficult and marginally(if atall)beneficial.

The date is unknown until the lastminute. Theregistration process takesfar too long.Theideology ofthepoliticalparties arealmost,if not entirely,indistinguishable. Decisions have already beenpaidfor bythewealthy and connected.Even the campaign promises do not hold during theterm. These are all reasonsto persist. These areall reasonsto increase participationbeyond thecasting ofballots.These are reasonsto activatethe power that is in the people everysingle day,andnot once every five years. Change isdesperately needed,and itwill notcome by the workof the people whobenefit mostfromthe dysfunction. Democracy only weakenseven further whenthe peoplerefuseto participate init, andparticipation includes protest (whichcan takemany forms).

How mightyou as a voterwhowill showupon electionday,as longasyou are able launcha protest that presents theissues of the masses, getsthe attentionof the few,and promptsaction? Today isthe dayto devisea planand invitepeople toput intoactionwithyou,forallof us.

Recommendations:

Registerto vote. To register to vote,an applicantmust prove Bahamiancitizenship and thatthey are18 yearsor older. ABahamian passport is the preferred document, though an applicant may present aBahamian birthcertificate alongwith governmentissuedID andtheapplicants mother’s Bahamianpassport, birthcertificate, orvoter s card.Thosewhoregisteredto vote in the last election and hold apurple voter scard do not need to register again.

Thosewho movedsincethe lastelection needtoregister tovote intheir newconstituency. Visitelections.gov.bs toview the available informationonline, email prdelections@bahamas.gov.bs, or call (242) 397-2000.

NatureMatters: VitalPoems from theGlobal Majority Thisanthology ofnaturepoetry, edited by Mona Arshi andKaren McCarthyWoolf, is the FeministBook Club pick forthis month.Join EqualityBahamas andPoinciana PaperPress inreading thisbookanddiscussingiton Wednesday, April 22 at 6pm. Thecollectioncallsusto“reconsider nature poetry from global-majority perspectives” and itsthemes include the climate crisis and the Anthropocene, urban nature, solitude andalienation, protest andradical empathy, and Indigenouswisdom and alternative histories. BernadineEvaristo calledit “an exquisitely profound and groundbreaking testamentto our natural world by many of themost powerfulpoetic voices ofour times. Olive Senior andKei Millerare among the Caribbean poets whosework appearsinNature Matters. Jointhe discussionon April22 atPoinciana Paper Press,12 Parkgate Road. ForFeminist Book Clubupdates, registerat tiny.cc/fbc2026.

He suddenly couldn't speak in space. NASA astronaut's medical scare remains a mystery

By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL,Fla.

(AP)

Theastronaut who prompted NASA’s first medical evacuation earlier thisyear said Friday that doctors still don’t knowwhyhesuddenlyfellsickat the International Space Station.

Four-time spaceflier Mike Finckesaidhe waseatingdinner on Jan.7 after preppingfor a spacewalkthenext daywhenit happened. He couldn’t talk and remembersnopain, buthisanxious crewmates jumped into action after seeinghim in distress and requested helpfrom flight surgeons on the ground. It was completely out of the blue. Itwas justamazingly quick," he saidin an interview with The Associated Press from Houston's Johnson Space Center. Fincke, 59, aretired Air Force colonel,said theepisodelasted roughly 20 minutes and he felt fine afterward. He said he still does.He neverexperiencedanything like that before or since.

Doctorshave ruledout aheart attack and Fincke said he wasn't choking, but everything else is stillon thetableandcould berelated tohis 549days ofweightlessness. He was 5 ½ months into hislatest spacestation staywhen the problemstruck like a very, very fast lightning bolt.”

“Mycrewmates definitelysaw that Iwas indistress, he said, withallsixgatheringaroundhim.

“Itwas allhandson deckwithin just a matter of seconds. Fincke saidhe can’t provide

any more details about his medical episode.The spaceagency wants to make sure that other astronauts donot feelthat their medical privacy will be compromisedif somethinghappensto them, he said.

Thespace station's ultrasound machine camein handywhen the eventoccurred, hesaid, andhe's gone through numerous tests sincereturningtoEarth.NASAis poring through other astronauts' medicalrecords toseeif anyrelatedinstances mighthavehappened in space, he said.

Fincke identifiedhimself late lastmonthas theonewhowas sickto endthe swirlingpublic speculation.

He stillfeels bad thathis illness caused the spacewalk to be cancelled itwould have been his 10th spacewalkbut first for crewmate ZenaCardman and resulted in an early return for her and their two other crewmates. SpaceX brought them back on Jan. 15,more than amonth early, and theywent straightto thehospital.

“I’vebeenvery luckytobe super healthy. Sothis was very surprising for everyone, he said. Finckestopped apologizingto everybodyafter NASA'snewadministrator JaredIsaacman ordered him to stop. This wasn t you. This was space, right?" hiscolleagues assuredhim. “You didn’t letanybody down. Everthe optimist,he'sholding out hope that hecan return to space one day.

Friday, March 20,

a

A college instructor turns to oldschool tech to curb AI-written work

By JOCELYN GECKER AP Education Writer

The scene is right out of the 1950s with students pecking away at manual typewriters, the machines dingingat the end of each line.

Once eachsemester, Grit Matthias Phelps,a German language instructor at Cornell University, introducesher studentsto theraw feelingof typingwithout online assistance. No screens,online dictionaries, spellcheckersor delete keys.

Theexercise startedin spring 2023 asPhelps grew frustrated withthe realitythat students wereusing generative AIandonline translation platforms tochurn outgrammatically perfect assignments.

“What’s thepoint ofme reading itif it salready correctanyway, andyoudidn’t write it yourself? Could you produceit withoutyourcomputer? said Phelps.

She wantedstudents tounderstand what writing, thinking and classrooms were like beforeeverything turned digital. So,she founda few dozen old manual typewriters in thrift shops and online marketplaces,and createdwhat her syllabuscalls an analogue” assignment.

It might be premature to say thattypewriters aremakinga comeback beyond Cornell's campus. But the revival is part of a national trend toward oldschooltestingmethodslikeinclass pen-and-paperexams and oraltests toprevent AI use forassignments onlaptops.

Typewriters bring ‘old days’ taste of doing one thingatatime

Studentsarrived forclass on a recentanalogue day to find typewriters at the desks, some withGerman andsome with QWERTY keyboards.

“I was so confused. I had no ideawhat washappening.I d seen typewritersin movies,

but they don’t tell you how a typewriter works, said Catherine Mong, 19, a freshmanin Phelps'Introto German class. I didn t know there was awhole science to using a typewriter.

Like a rotaryphone, the manual typewriterappears simple but is not intuitive to the smartphonegeneration. Phelpsdemonstrated howto feed thepaper manually, striking thekeys withforce butnotso hardtheletters wouldsmudge. Sheexplained that the dinging bell signifies the endof aline andthe need to manually returnthe carriage to startthe next line. (“Oh,” saidone student, that s whyit s called return.’”)

Everything slowsdown. It’s likeback in theold days whenyoureally didonething at a time. And there was joy in doing it,” said Phelps, who brings in hertwo children, aged 7 and 9, to serve as “tech support and ensureno one has their phones out.

Students welcomed havingfewerdistractions The assignment carries lessons beyondsimply howto use a typewriter, which is the whole point.

“Itdawnedon methatthe differencewith typingona typewriteris notjust howyou interactwith thetypewriter, but how youinteract with the world around you,” said computer science major Ratchaphon Lertdamrongwong, a sophomore, whose class had to write a critique of aGerman moviethey d watched.

In theabsence ofscreens, there areno notificationsto distract you as you write. Without everyanswer readily available at his fingertips, he asked hisclassmates forhelp, whichPhelps heartilyencouraged.

“While writing the essay, I hadto talkalot more,socialize a lot more, which I guesswas normalbackthen,

Lertdamrongwong said, referringtothetypewriterera. But it’s drasticallydifferent from how weinteract withinthe classroom in modern times. People are always on a laptop, always on the phone.”

Without a delete key and the abilityto correctevery mistake, hepaused tothink more intentionallyabout his writing.

This might sound bad, but I was forced to actually think abouttheproblem onmyown instead of delegating to AI or Google search, he said.

Manual machineswere a workoutforpinkiefingers

Most students found their pinkies weren t strong enough to touch-type, so they typed more slowly, peckingat the keyboardwith theirindexfingers. Mong,the freshman,faced theadded challengeof arecently brokenwrist, requiring her to use just one hand. The self-described perfectionist

was initiallyfrustrated with how messy herpage looked with odd spacing between certain lettersand misspellings. (Phelps toldstudents to backspaceand type ‘X’s over errors.)

“This thingI handedin had pencil marksall overit and definitely did notlook clean or finished.But it s partof the process of learning that you’re goingto makemistakes, said Mong, whofound theassignment oftyping apoem “fun and challenging.”

She embraced the odd spacingand playedwiththe visualboundaries ofthepage to indent and fragment lines in thestyle ofpoet E.E.Cummings. Ittook severalsheets ofpaper andmanymistakes, all of which Mong saved.

I mprobably goingto hang them on my wall,” Mong said. “I’m kind of fascinated by typewriters.I toldall my friends, I did a German test on a typewriter!

Popelka makes edits using a pencil after writing an assignment in German on a typewriter at Cornell University, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Ithaca, N.Y. The professor, Grit Matthias Phelps, brings out the typewriters once each semester for students to disconnect from technology and connect with the assignment in a different way.

Systemsthat letdrivers taketheir handsoff the wheel don't improvesafety, NTSB head says

By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation Writer

Thesystems thatallow drivers totake theirhands off the wheelare convenient but don't improve safetybecause peoplewho use themoften payless attention to the road, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday.

Drivers with automated systems engagedare muchmore likelythan otherdrivers to focus on their cellphones or infotainment screens, Chair Jennifer Homendy saidat the outset of ahearing on the NTSB's investigation of two fatal crashesinvolving Ford s BlueCruise system.The 2024crashes inTexas andPennsylvaniakilled threepeoplewhenFord MustangMach-E cars slammed into stopped vehicles.

Ford andother automakers emphasize thatpartially automated drivingsystems arenot designedto replacethe human driverssitting behind thewheel, who haveto be ready to take control at any time.

MayorMamdaniannounces returnofsocial media app for NYC government

By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE Associated Press

Almost three years ago, NewYork City joined governmentsacrossthecountryto ban TikTok from its phones oversecurity concernsabout theChinese socialmedia site. On Tuesday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a bona fide social media star,took to theapp to announcea reversal: TikTok, we're back.

Thecity willnowallow agenciestostart postingagain on theshort-form socialmedia siteas longas departments follow a set of securityprecautions, according to a memo fromcity cybersecurityofficialsprovidedby themayor's office Tuesday.

The prohibition wasestablished byEricAdams,Mamdani's predecessor, in 2023 as the federal government and manyU.S. statesrestricted theapp fromgovernmentowneddevicesoverconcerns thatitsparentcompany, ByteDance,could sharedata withthe Chinesegovernment.

Ukrainians chideGerman defenseboss for jibes about drones made by 'housewives' By

ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) SeniorofficialsinKyivare taking aswipe atthe head of Germandefense giant Rheinmetall, whoseunflattering comments about Ukrainian dronetechnology andthe roleof women in the war against Russia ignited asocial media backlash.

Rheinmetall AG s Chairman and CEO Armin Papperger likened Ukraine’sdevelopment ofcutting-edgedroneexpertise as like playing “with Lego” and said the drones are being built by “Ukrainian housewives.”

“They have 3D printers in the kitchen, and they produce parts for drones, Papperger saidin comments to The Atlantic magazine published Friday.

UkrainianPresident VolodymyrZelenskyy,who is offering hiscountry’s advanceddrone technologyto Gulf countriesamid the Iran war,on MondaydescribedPapperger’s remarks as “strange.” Cambodiaadvancesa scamcenterlawwith penalties of up to life in prison

By SOPHENG CHEANG Associated Press

PHNOMPENH,Cambodia (AP) Cambodianlawmakerson Mondayunanimouslyadopteda newlawtargeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut them down by the end of April. All 112 members of parliament present voted to approve thelegislation,whichmarks Cambodia s first legal frameworkspecifically aimedatalucrative, illicitindustrythat has transformed the country into a global hub for cybercrime.

The scam operationstypically involve bogus investment schemes and feigned romances that collectively extort tens of billions of dollarsfrom victims around the world every year.