04222026 NEWS

The Tribune PUZZLER

‘RULES COLLAPSE IF NO ENFORCEMENT’

Brensil Rolle calls for disciplinary action against Foreign Affairs

PS Melvin Seymour

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Public Service Minister Brensil Rolle is calling for disciplinary action against Permanent Secretary Melvin Seymour after he was photographed last week in Progressive Liberal Party paraphernalia, warning that failing to act would make the rules governing political activity unenforceable and expose the government

to challenges from public officers previously disciplined under those same rules.

Mr Rolle said the issue is not simply one of optics but of enforcement, insisting the government cannot apply General Orders selectively without collapsing the system used to regulate public officers.

Mr Seymour, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

COALITION of

though an initial effort earlier this month failed after the request was made without a formal application.

The Tribune understands the request was raised orally by attorney Tanya Wright, who appeared on Mr Bain’s behalf, during

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement chairman Dr Duane Sands said the party will move to remove former leader Dr Hubert Minnis as a member in due course, but declined to say when, insisting the party has “far more important things” to focus on

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Grid Company’s new chairman yesterday voiced “200 percent” confidence it will fulfill its energy reform obligations despite its managing partner’s sudden exit as he revealed the recent shooting death of a US contractor had delayed completion of $130m in network upgrades by two months.

Anthony Ferguson, who is also CFAL’s principal, told Tribune Business that the separation with Island Grid and Eric Pike had been “an amicable dissolution” although he referred this newspaper to Bahamas Grid Company’s now-former managment firm and its principal when asked to explain the reasons for the relationship ending less than two years into what was supposed to be a 25-year tie-up.

during the election campaign. Dr Minnis formally entered the Killarney race as an independent last week, setting up a contest against the FNM’s Michela Barnett-Ellis, the Progressive Liberal Party’s Robyn Lynes and the Coalition of Independents’ Dr Veronica McIver.

2026 Grand Bahama Junior Junkanoo awards ceremony

Tourist recounts trauma after husband’s sudden Exuma death

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A CANADIAN woman said she was forced to sit on a flight with her husband’s body at her feet after it was transported from Exuma in “green garbage bags”, describing the aftermath of his sudden death while on holiday in January as traumatic and undignified.

Ann Martell, of Ontario, said she is now in therapy and taking medication as she copes with what she described as one of the most difficult experiences of her life. She has contacted police seeking a copy of their report into her husband’s death and shared correspondence sent to the Commissioner of Police with this newspaper. Commissioner Shanta Knowles did not respond to requests for comment up to press time.

Mrs Martell and her husband, Gerry, who had been married for more than 30 years, travelled to Staniel Cay on January 16 for a three-day trip to celebrate his 70th birthday. The trip took a tragic turn on the second day.

She said the couple were on a boat tour and swimming near a cave when she saw her husband in distress, clinging to an orange buoy provided by others nearby. His last words were, “help me, I’m dying,” before he lost consciousness.

A yacht captain launched a small boat, brought him aboard and rushed him to shore. During the journey, Mrs Martell said her husband appeared to be having seizures and may have suffered a brain bleed.

On shore, a doctor who was at the marina attempted CPR, but he could not be revived. Mrs Martell said she was then informed that her husband had died. She said the events that followed compounded her trauma. Her husband’s body was placed in a medical trailer, and she was told to gather her belongings, get money and prepare to leave before dark because there was nowhere to store the body.

“I was given very little time to call family, to be with my husband, to say my goodbyes,” she said. “All I remember is somebody yelling at me and saying: ‘You have to get $60,000, or Medevac won’t come’ and then the next breath, it was ‘Oh, you have to get 6,000’ and we have to get him out of here. We have nowhere to put the body. Take your husband’s credit card. Go get money.”

She also described a distressing encounter with a police officer at the scene.

“The policeman kept chasing me around the trailer, saying I need your statement, I need your statement,” she recalled. “I was getting really frustrated with him saying that, just leave me alone. You’re not listening to what I was saying.”

Mrs Martell said informing her family was equally traumatic, adding that her daughter, who lives in Egypt, collapsed when she received the news.

She said she later watched as her husband’s body was transported in green garbage bags secured with red tape as they left the island, and that she sat on the plane with the body at her feet.

“Nobody,” she said, “had the common sense or even an ounce of compassion to perhaps sit me down and caution me that his body was going to be transported in such a way and with such poor regard for human dignity?”

The following day, she said a nurse told her the body was inside a clear body bag beneath the outer covering, which was used because the body was wet.

“He didn’t drown. He was in the water for a very short time, like that’s just ridiculous,” she said.

After arriving in New Providence, Mrs Martell said she waited more than an hour for a mortician, who told her he had been delayed by a funeral. She said she and her family also waited hours before formally identifying the body.

She said both the Coroner and a pathologist expressed concern about what she described and indicated the matter would be investigated, but months later, the family has not received answers.

“I want the police report,” she said. “I want to know what was written down. I want to know what they consider to be the chain of events.

I don’t even know who the guy was that did the CPR. He was just a doctor who happened to be there.”

Mrs Martell said the experience has been extremely difficult and that she has relied on friends for support.

“The way they behaved on that island was just reprehensible to me,” she said. “I’m disgusted. I’m heartbroken - you name it. I feel like my husband was treated with no dignity or respect.”

Doctors later determined that her husband died from a heart blockage. He was cremated in The Bahamas and his remains returned to Canada.

TikTok mom launches non-profit to help women without support

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A YOUNG mother who built a following on TikTok by documenting her first pregnancy has launched a non-profit to support women who lack a reliable support system.

Danille Hanna, 26, said the idea for Her Village Foundation grew out of her own transition into motherhood last month and the messages she received from other women online.

She said her platform expanded after a Christmas series and later her pregnancy journey, drawing about 15,000 followers and prompting mothers to reach out with their experiences and questions.

She said some asked about her doctor and recommended products. “I realised, hey, this is a really big community with women that are pregnant, like, this is something that I can talk about,” she said.

Ms Hanna shared videos of her exercising, attending medical appointments, travelling and preparing for delivery. Women responded by sharing their own experiences, including difficulties recovering after childbirth and relationship challenges with their

child’s father. She said many also spoke about the absence of a strong support system and the need for a “village” to help them manage the physical, mental and financial demands of motherhood.

The need became clearer, she said, after she offered unused postpartum items on Facebook. After donating those items, more mothers reached out for baby clothes and supplies,

highlighting gaps in support and prompting her to establish the foundation.

“Sometimes our family members, our partners, they're busy,” she said. “Everybody else is still carrying on with their normal life, while we still have to heal and still take care of a baby. And so that kind of helps me come up with the idea of creating a nonprofit, just having a safe community for mothers.” Her Village Foundation

launched on April 2 and is largely self-funded, with additional support from donations. Since then, Ms Hanna said she has assisted 35 mothers. She recently organised a food drive that distributed bags of fresh fish to 30 mothers and provided groceries, including baby items, to five others. Some recipients were moved to tears after receiving the assistance.

A TikTok video about

last month and the messages she received from other

the foundation drew more than 18,000 views up to press time, with dozens of women expressing interest in donating and others sharing their own challenges as new mothers. Asked about common misconceptions, Ms Hanna said: “Even women with help, it's hard. When everybody goes to work and you're up all night making bottles, and then you're doing it all day and all night.

“I think they think that help is just financial, and it's not. I feel like it's more so hands on. Yes, finance plays a big part in it, don't get me wrong, but I feel like it's very time consuming.”

Ms Hanna said she hopes to expand the initiative across The Bahamas, particularly to the Family Islands, noting that women from Andros and Eleuthera have already reached out.

Sands says Minnis is seeking attention, will lose Killarney

MINNIS from page one

Under a constitutional amendment ratified by the party on February 25, 2022, his decision to run against an official FNM candidate means he is deemed to have resigned from the party.

Dr Sands said the process to formalise that outcome would happen, but not immediately.

“There’s a process and that process will take place when it takes place but we have far more important things than to worry about than Dr Minnis,” he said. “Dr Minnis is going to be defeated in Killarney and we have no interest in giving him any oxygen because this is all attention seeking behaviour.”

Dr Minnis, who led the FNM to a landslide victory in 2017 before the party’s crushing defeat in 2021, would become the first leader to be removed from

the organisation he once led.

Despite the pending removal, Dr Sands said the party would not erase his legacy.

“The historical reality of Dr Hubert Minnis as the prime minister and leader of the Free National Movement doesn’t change,” he said. “We don’t tend to rewrite history.”

Dr Minnis has been critical of the party since breaking ranks, alleging that it launched a smear campaign against him and his wife and restricted his participation in party events.

“I have had a bond with Killarney for more than 20 years, even though the FNM abandoned me, I never abandoned Killarney,” he said at his campaign launch earlier this month. “I would not abandon the great and loyal people of this wonderful constituency Killarney.”

Election chief defends register and warns against public attacks

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

PARLIAMENTARY

Commissioner Harrison Thompson defended the integrity of the voters’ register and the work of the Parliamentary Registration Department yesterday, as the opposition stepped up concerns about the electoral process ahead of the general election.

In a statement responding to recent criticism, Mr Thompson said reviewing and updating the register is a routine and lawful part of election administration carried out under the Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act. His comments come after Opposition Leader Michael Pintard and the Free National Movement

raised concerns about the accuracy of the voters’ register and called for increased international observation, including involvement from the United States.

Mr Thompson said The Bahamas has a strong record of “peaceful and successful elections” and noted that international observer missions have long been part of the country’s electoral process, with invitations already sent to several groups for the upcoming vote.

He also pointed to ongoing engagement with political parties, saying concerns raised are reviewed and addressed where necessary.

“The Department maintains a working relationship with the legal teams and representatives of all major political parties,” he said. “Where a party identifies a concern, that concern is reviewed.

Where a correction is required, that correction is made. This has always

been the practice.” Mr Thompson urged political leaders and public figures to avoid undermining confidence in the electoral system or targeting public officers.

“Civil servants who carry out their duties under law deserve fairness and respect,” he said.

“Political disagreement should never become a basis for attacking officers whose role is to apply the law faithfully and professionally.”

He added: “I will defend the integrity of this Department and the good name of the public servants who serve within it.”

“I urge every stakeholder in the electoral process to respect the law, respect the officers charged with carrying it out, and respect the institutions that support free and fair elections in The

Bahamas.”

“The Parliamentary Registration Department remains committed to acting fairly, lawfully, and in the public interest.”

The US Embassy, through Chargé d’Affaires Kimberly Furnish, confirmed that a request to observe the 2026 general election had been made through formal diplomatic channels, with invitations expected to be issued from Government House. The opposition has intensified its criticism in recent days, pointing to reported cases of fraudulent voter documentation and calling for procedural changes on polling day, as well as the removal of senior election officials. Mr Pintard said his party has raised concerns since 2022 and submitted formal complaints earlier this year.

Environmental advocates target waste from campaign signs

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

AS campaign signs spread across the country ahead of the general election, environmental advocates are urging a broader debate about sustainability, warning that current practices contribute to waste and long-term environmental harm. While it is unclear what materials local parties are using, campaign signs are often made from substances such as polypropylene, which do not fully break down in the environment.

Bahamian environmental scientist Dr Ancilleno

Davis said the importation of large quantities of materials for short-term use carries environmental costs, including fossil fuel consumption and waste that lingers long after campaigns end.

“You will see that a lot of those signs, the metal stakes that go on the ground, they'll still be there sometimes for months afterwards or even sometimes you'll find them in remote areas like six months after,” he said.

“If they are picked up, they end up piling up inside the dump, where those things don't break down, but all the chemicals in them end up inside our groundwater, etc. It’s

a high price to pay for this type of campaigning.”

Dr Davis also criticised the scale of campaign spending on signage, arguing that funds could be better directed toward long-term community projects, such as gardens, rather than toward temporary materials that create waste.

Dr Davis suggested political groups should rely less on posters and instead use a mix of outreach methods such as social media, radio and targeted publicity. He said campaigns should limit signage, use biodegradable or recyclable materials and consider long-term environmental impacts.

Nikita Shiel-Rolle, founder and CEO of the Cat Island Conservation Institute, said the issue should not be limited to posters alone but should form part of a wider discussion about how political campaigns engage with communities.

“I think that is a real conversation because is it necessary to have hundreds of signs, probably not, you know and so maybe it may lend to new campaigning regulations as far as dictating how far apart they can be,” she said.

“Those are sort of measures that could try and control. But we all know I think campaign season

Political signs seen around New Providence. Photos: Chappell

people are just paid to go put up signs so there isn’t much structure or intentionality other then ‘Get my face out there and make sure my community knows I’m here to

represent them’.”

She said the more pressing issue is what happens to campaign materials after the election.

“I think as long as there is a plan as to what they're

going to do with the signs, I think that's the most important thing,” she said. “I think that kind of goes back to even like the bigger environmental conversations that we have.”

Former minister warns of civil service hypocrisy

declined to comment on the matter on Monday, as did Minister Fred Mitchell.

Photos showing Mr Seymour in PLP paraphernalia on Nomination Day surprised many observers, who view the rules governing such conduct as strict and clear-cut.

As recently as February 2, Gina Thompson, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Public Services, even issued a circular to senior civil servants on political activity by public officers, drawing attention to General Order 949, which speaks to the involvement of public officers in political activities.

Entitled POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC OFFICERS, she warned:

“The character of any public service depends entirely on its loyalty, integrity, ability and impartiality. It follows therefore that public officers should maintain a code of reserve in all political matters and that the public airing of an officer’s own political views may destroy that impartiality which any Government may expect of its own public service. To ensure, therefore, that standards are upheld, it may be necessary in a case of seriouys indiscretion, to consider action against the public officer concerned.”

Yesterday, Mr Rolle

said he was extremely disappointed.

“While I believe permanent secretaries have a right to their own political persuasion, as long as they’re holding that post as permanent secretary, they cannot violate any aspect of general order and any clear violation of general orders by a permanent secretary, like any other public officer, that person must be disciplined,” he said.

“Going forward, any public officer who participates in any political event cannot be disciplined until Mr Melvin Seymour is disciplined. And furthermore, if any public officer was disciplined because of political activity while Melvin Seymour was not disciplined, they have a right, in my opinion, to sue the government to receive justice because it cannot be justice for some and injustice for everybody else.”

According to sources, someone in Mr Seymour’s position would be on a wage of around $104k, with a $20k ‘responsibility allowance,’ a $12k housing allowance, plus full pension - as he had previously retired - and car allowance.

Observers point to General Order 949, which requires public officers to maintain political neutrality through a “code of reserve”, even though it does not prohibit membership in a political party.

EXCERPTS from Ministry of Labour circular on senior civil servants wearing political paraphernalia.

Mr Rolle said the disciplinary process would typically begin with a showcause letter requiring the

officer to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken.

The controversy has been sharpened by the experience of foreign affairs officer Ivan Thompson, who wrote on Facebook that he

was warned in a May 2024 letter — signed by Mr Seymour — against engaging in political activity because he was contravening General Order 949.

After images of Mr Seymour surfaced, Mr Thompson publicly shared the letter alongside a photograph of the permanent secretary in PLP paraphernalia, questioning the consistency of enforcement. In a post of Facebook, Mr Thompson said: “Imagine being called in by your PS, getting a serious tongue lashing, not giving you any opportunity to respond, then issuing you this said letter. Then today, this picture comes across your phone by the very person demonizing you of the very thing!”

“It is crazy,” Mr Thompson said yesterday. “When you consider that the Permanent Secretary runs the ministry — the minister is not responsible for the ministry — the highest official in any government ministry is the permanent secretary, and when you see the highest official in the ministry doing that, you know we have some serious problems.”

According to attorney Hilbert Collie, who represents Mr Thompson, the matter raises concerns about whether established procedures and terms of employment are being applied evenly.

COI leader files to seal civil debt case from public

Notice to Attend Examination hearing on April 1, 2026.

Attorney for the claimant, Travette Pyfrom, objected, arguing that no proper application had been filed and that the matter was being heard in open court.

The court indicated it had no objection to the request in principle but said it could not make a determination because there was no formal application before it at the time.

Court officials later confirmed that the application was filed on April 2, a day after the hearing had already taken place.

As a result, the request was not considered during the April 1 proceedings, and no order was made to seal the matter. The case remains a matter of public record for now.

According to court documents, the application seeks a sealing and nondisclosure order and asks that the claimant, Zinnia Rolle, be required to

attend all future hearings in person unless otherwise directed by the court or agreed by the parties.

The filing argues that Mr Bain is a public figure and claims that information disclosed during

proceedings held in chambers was later shared publicly on social media, particularly Facebook, despite a warning from the court.

It further alleges that the information could only have come from someone present at a March 13, 2026 hearing and raises concerns that the claimant has failed to attend hearings for several years, which the application suggests may mean she is unaware of directions given by the court.

The application also indicates that Mr Bain intends to rely on an affidavit filed in support of the request. The dispute stems from a failed investment dating back to 2010. Zinnia Rolle secured a Supreme Court judgment in December 2021 ordering Bain and his company to repay $64,000. The ruling was later upheld by the Court of Appeal, and in October 2025, an additional $26,000 in costs was awarded after the Judicial Committee of the Privy

Council declined to hear Bain’s appeal. The combined $90,000 remains unpaid, with enforcement efforts intensifying in recent months. Mr Bain was previously required to appear before Supreme Court Registrar Renaldo Toote as part of proceedings related to the outstanding sum. In his recent financial declarations ahead of the May general election, Mr Bain claimed he has a net worth of more than $1.5m. He listed liabilities as $85k.

The Tribune Limited

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Voters demand consequences

TRY to predict what the Bahamian electorate will care about in any given cycle will give you a thousand different answers, but one thing is for certain – Bahamians do not respond well to be taken for granted, or to a lack of consequences for actions.

Recently, McKell Bonaby has been in the forefront of the news – which is a change for someone who has been far from the forefront of politics during his relatively forgettable time in Parliament this term.

In Opposition, Mr Bonaby was quite the critic of the administration of Dr Hubert Minnis for spending in the Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority, yet strangely he is now quiet when being asked to explain how, as executive chairman of the authority now his party is in power, it has gone over budget every year and spent more than $141m.

Asked by The Tribune to explain the overspend, Mr Bonaby brushed aside the question before walking away shouting “PLP!”

It is election season – the kind of sensitive time when such actions alienate voters. Mr Bonaby last night took to the airwaves to quibble over the amount that was spent and point the finger of blame at leftover debts from the previous administration. That does not answer the questions of course – as the budget should have been adjusted to cover such debts if they were an issue. Instead, the authority kept on spending more than its budget.

The consequences for Mr Bonaby and the PLP might well be lost votes – but in another case, that of Permanent Secretary Melvin Seymour, there should be no quibbling.

Mr Seymour was photographed last week wearing PLP paraphernalia. He should be doing no such thing.

Members of the public service should not be out campaigning in party colours – they should maintain the appearance of impartiality.

That is not just the opinion of this writer – it is written in the rules of the service.

General Order 949 requires public officers to maintain political neutrality through a “code of reserve”.

Indeed, in February, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Public Services, issued a note to senior civil servants warning over political activity, saying: “The character of any public service depends entirely on its loyalty, integrity, ability

and impartiality. It follows therefore that public officers should maintain a code of reserve in all political matters and that the public airing of an officer’s own political views may destroy that impartiality which any government may expect of its own public service.”

Brensil Rolle, the former Public Service Minister, said there must be disciplinary action against Mr Seymour – and noted that failing to do so will make the rules unenforceable.

After all, if the permanent secretary can do it, why can’t everyone else?

The General Orders must apply to all, or they apply to none.

After all, if a new administration takes over – not just in this case but in any such changeover – if a senior civil servant has been publicly campaigning against the incoming party, how is that new administration to be confident that individual will be impartial in implementing the policies of the new government?

This newspaper has long spoken out against victimisation, where one party or another has been accused of ousting staff members suspected of having political leanings favouring the opponent in favour of new recruits who are party followers. Any senior civil servant who would put themselves in party colours on the campaign trail puts themselves at risk given our environment – but would the same also apply to those that person has appointed too?

There is someone else who would tell Mr Seymour he is in the wrong on this matter – and that is Mr Seymour himself.

In 2024, foreign affairs officer Ivan Thompson says he was warned in a letter against engaging in political activity, because he was in breach of that same order, General Order 949. Mr Thompson has shared that letter on social media – noting it was signed by Mr Seymour.

As Mr Thompson said yesterday: “When you see the highest official in the ministry doing that, you know we have some serious problems.”

If the General Orders are to matter, there should be action in this matter. If there is not, if there is no accountability, then that is when Bahamians will begin to feel they are taken for granted. Where are the consequences for breach of those rules?

At some point, it all adds up – and it is the voters who will ultimately decide the consequences.

A Fox loss would look bad for Bahamas

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I CONSIDER Free National Movement Garden Hills candidate Rick Fox to be a national treasure.

His accomplishments in the US as a member of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers are impeccable. Fox, a three-time NBA champ, is perhaps the most successful Bahamian athlete in history. His decision to enter Bahamian politics came with a huge risk, however. It has exposed him to the vitriolic, mudslinging tactics we commonly witness during the Silly Season. He has been subjected to a relentless barrage of character assassination attempts by individuals who lack morals. Fox’s financial position has been the focal point of discussion for Progressive Liberal Party and Coalition of Independents trolls. They were adamant that Fox was hurting financially. And therefore, decided to enter the political arena in

The Bahamas to “catch himself.” When I had posted on Facebook that Google had information online regarding Fox’s net worth being in the ballpark of $20 million, after earning $34 million during his 13-year NBA career with the Lakers and the Boston Celtics, this was shouted down by his political detractors. On Monday it was printed by the two major dailies in Nassau that Fox declared his assets to be a staggering $469 million. This claim too has been outright rejected by his political detractors, who are now, ironically, claiming that Fox is only worth about $20 million. You can’t make this up! In any case, the battle for Garden Hills has, I believe, international implications. The eyes of the NBA world will be fixated on The Bahamas on May 12. If Fox loses to the PLP’s Mario Bowleg, thousands of American NBA fans will then take a closer look at

Hospital deal should alarm Bahamians

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AMBASSADOR Herschel Walker and the US Embassy were absolutely correct to warn the Bahamian people about the New Providence Hospital Project. Ignoring this warning would be reckless for our country.

The Embassy’s action was straightforward: it cut through the ceremonies, hard hats, smiling officials, staged optimism, and cheap political theatrics, redirecting attention to what truly matters: the terms of the deal.

The Embassy did not criticize the need for a hospital; rather, it highlighted the risk that The Bahamas might be entering into a financing arrangement that could compromise our sovereignty.

Reports suggest that this project will operate under Chinese law and jurisdiction on Bahamian soil, which raises serious concerns. This is not a routine diplomatic comment; it is a red flag of the highest order.

Let’s not pretend this is a minor misunderstanding or a small dispute between governments. It is a direct warning that a major public project in The Bahamas could be linked to a foreign legal framework in a way that might undermine our national control, legal authority, and future autonomy.

This should alarm every serious Bahamian. If it does not, then we are no longer thinking like a sovereign nation.

Too many significant decisions in our country are now based on appearances rather than facts. We see groundbreaking ceremonies before the contracts are signed.

We hear slogans instead of scrutiny, and speeches about progress while the real terms remain hidden behind closed doors.

Bahamians are expected to applaud on cue while being denied access to critical aspects of the agreement, such as the governing-law clause, jurisdiction clause, guarantees, enforcement rights, default remedies, and the overall balance of power.

This is not governance; it is manipulation.

This is why the US position deserves strong support. The Embassy pinpointed the core issue with precision:

the campaign. They will see how poorly Fox was treated. It will be a bad look on the entire country. A son of the soil who was very successful abroad decided to come home to a small developing nation in the Caribbean to help his people. But instead of being embraced, he was completely eviscerated by a paid political machinery that was ruthless in its execution. They will see that Fox’s policy proposals weren’t the catalyst for his loss. His crime would be that he dared to leave the comfort of the US and Canada to run in The Bahamas. This decision by Fox does not sit well with many Bahamian xenophobes. Madame Editor, my fear is that a loss for Rick Fox in Garden Hills will be a very bad look for The Bahamas on the international stage.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama April 21, 2026.

infrastructure financing is never neutral when it threatens to compromise our sovereign decision-making.

A hospital may be a public good, but a poor deal can transform that public good into a long-term national liability.

Responsible leaders understand this; political performers do not.

Ambassador Walker was also right to question the speed of the process. A government that genuinely believes it has signed a sound agreement does not rush past legitimate concerns.

A transparent and accountable government does not hide behind ceremony, nor does it rely on emotion and urgency to suppress scrutiny. It publishes the terms, addresses the questions, and invites review. Confidence welcomes examination; weakness fears it.

This is why the Embassy’s warning is so significant. It put into the open what the Bahamian public should have been informed of from the very beginning: the issue is not merely whether a hospital gets built, but whether it is financed under terms that expose our country to unnecessary legal, financial, and strategic risks.

Moreover, the United States did not oppose the project itself. It clearly stated its support for healthcare infrastructure that serves Bahamian interests, respects our sovereignty, adheres to international norms, and reduces project risk.

The Embassy also indicated that better financing options are available. This is a strong and credible position, as it dismantles the false choice that governments often present: either accept this deal as it is or risk being accused of opposing development. That is not accurate; one can support the hospital while rejecting the terms. One can champion progress while refusing to compromise leverage. One can welcome foreign capital while insisting on national dignity.

Some may dismiss this as an America-versus-China issue. This simplistic view comes from those who do not wish the contract to be closely examined. While geopolitics is certainly a consideration, it does not weaken the US warning; it actually strengthens the case for scrutiny.

When outside powers contest the legal and financial structure of a project on Bahamian soil, that is not a moment for blind trust; it is a time for maximum vigilance.

The real scandal here is not that Ambassador Walker spoke out. The real scandal is that Bahamian officials created the conditions that allowed such a credible warning to be issued in the first place.

If the deal is sound, publish the details. If the US warning is incorrect, disprove it with facts. If the concerns are valid, the government has no business hiding behind appearances while treating sovereignty as a negotiable detail.

The Bahamas is too small, too exposed, and too strategically positioned to fall into legal and financial dependence under the guise of development.

We cannot afford leaders who equate access to foreign capital with effective governance. We cannot have a political culture that views difficult questions about jurisdiction and sovereignty as obstacles. And we certainly cannot continue to tolerate governments that believe a shovel in the ground resolves issues that only the contract can clarify.

Ambassador Walker and the US Embassy did what our own government should have done from the outset: they brought the real issue to light.

As Bahamians, we must do what a sovereign people do: demand the contract, seek the facts, pursue the truth, and disregard further distractions.

A hospital built on weak foundations is not progress; it serves as a warning.

Extremely Concerned. NOĒSIS — CRITICAL THINKER Freeport, Grand Bahama April 20, 2026.

Clear disparity in political paraphernalia

EDITOR, The Tribune. GREETINGS! I stopped by to raise the observation, in the caption, one that is impossible to avoid and that’s the signage for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), versus everyone else. This up in your face plastering billboards, placate on every light pole has become an eyesore. Leaving me to deduce just what the message might be? As I try to fathom the sources of the funds to do all of this, I estimate amounting to millions perhaps, and at a time when Princess Margaret Hospitals nurses and many of the teachers, doctors, others were locked in trade disputes with The Bahamas Government?

This does seem to be much for a nation caught at the crossroads, and faced by so many unknowns, to wit: The war in the Republic of Iran, and the blatant highly glaring obvious truths, that petrol prices swear being increased to buffer the extenuating circumstances these wars brings, but why haven’t the Bahamian politicians gotten the message, or even will to tighten their economic financial, curtailment of the proverbial belts? In conclusion, it is amazing how the populace was being disrespected by this government, and now that the tides have changed the same forgotten Bahamians, were now the ones they need to continue the opulent lifestyles, but God! It aches my heart to see so many of the less fortunate wearing the full attire of the government party was this another brainwashing exercise?

Editor, I take courage in knowing that no matter what they do, Father God has already made His decision and the preponderance of Bahamians do respect and honor God’s judgment, that He alone sets up Governments, and He alone is bringing them down, hallelujah to the Lamb of God, amen.

FRANK GILBERT Nassau, April 17, 2026.

Defence accuses police of planting gun in robbery trial

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE prosecution and defence gave sharply conflicting accounts of the night two men were shot and arrested by police, with officers alleging one of the accused pointed a gun at them, while the defence claims the weapon was planted to justify the shooting.

Dominic Stuart, 32, and Antonio Neely, 32, appeared before Justice Neil Braithwaite as their trial for armed robbery and attempted murder continued.

Prosecutors allege the men, armed with a handgun, robbed Travis Johnson of $80 on May 15, 2018. They are also accused of attempting to cause his death on the same date.

Sergeant Deandra Forbes testified that she and Police Constable Deal responded to information and went to Newman Avenue in Garden Hills that night.

She said she saw a red Kia Sportage approach

at a high rate of speed and identified Stuart as the driver, with a masked passenger.

After the vehicle stopped, Sgt Forbes said she saw Neely draw a weapon from his right side and point it at PC Deal, prompting her to fire. She said the firearm was later recovered from the floor of the vehicle after the men were arrested.

Defence attorney Jairam Mangra suggested that Stuart exited the vehicle with his hands raised and was unarmed.

He also suggested police fabricated the firearm evidence and that Sgt Forbes placed the weapon at the scene. She denied those claims, maintaining that she fired after seeing Neely draw a gun.

Sgt Forbes rejected a suggestion that officers were “trigger happy”, saying she feared for her life.

Mr Mangra questioned how she was able to see events clearly from about 15 feet away. Sgt Forbes said streetlights were on and both vehicles had their headlights illuminated.

Photographs shown in court indicated the Kia Sportage did not have tinted windows.

Another defence attorney, Cassie Bethel, suggested there was no gun in the vehicle and that Neely never had a weapon. Sgt Forbes described those claims as false.

Sgt Forbes said she could not recall whether she or her partner turned in their firearms after the shooting but agreed it was standard protocol to do so.

Ms Bethel also suggested there was no reason to shoot Neely and that the firearm was introduced after the fact. Sgt Forbes denied that.

She also rejected a claim that the vehicle was still moving when officers approached, saying it had already been parked at the side of the road.

During Neely’s arraignment on May 22, 2018, his attorney said he had been shot by police and had a bullet lodged in his right arm.

Vashti Bridgewater and Kristin Butler-Beneby are prosecuting the case.

Man remanded after alleged knifepoint motorcycle theft

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD man accused of robbing another man of his motorcycle at knifepoint earlier this month was remanded to prison. Prosecutors allege Cardinal McPhee, armed with a knife, robbed Djelo Alcyd of his 2023 black-and-white Yamaha XTZ motorcycle

near a tyre shop on Zion Boulevard around 4pm on April 9 before fleeing west on the bike. The stolen motorcycle is valued at $3,000. McPhee was not required to enter a plea to armed robbery before Acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. He was told the matter will proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment. McPhee was also informed of his right to apply for bail in the higher court. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until August 20, when the voluntary bill of indictment is to be served.

Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case, while Levan Johnson represented the accused.

Teen given 18 months in prison for unlicensed 9mm firearm

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months in prison last week after he was found with a loaded firearm in New Providence. Tory Smith was found

with a black Springfield 9mm pistol and three rounds of ammunition on April 17. Smith pleaded guilty to possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition before Magistrate Lennox Coleby. He was also fined $6,000

or faces an additional year in prison if the fine is not paid.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie prosecuted the case, while Benjamin McKinney represented the accused.

Repeat offender gets three years prison for housebreaking

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 28-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to three years in prison after breaking into a Sea Breeze home and stealing $1,000 worth of items.

Claude Desir broke into the residence of Sundaya Lewis on Sea Breeze Lane between April 12 and 14 and stole a 19-inch television, a wooden bed frame, a portable stove burner and a 16-inch fan. Desir pleaded guilty to housebreaking and stealing before Deputy Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville. Inspector Cordero Farrington, the prosecutor,

urged the court to impose a strict sentence in the interest of public safety, citing Desir’s criminal record.

Desir had a prior stealing conviction from 2025 and a firearm conviction. He was sentenced to three years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Police seize $18k and drugs during Star Lane house raid

A 44-YEAR-OLD man and a 35-year-old woman were arrested after police seized suspected marijuana and more than $18,000 in cash during a search of a Star Lane residence on Monday afternoon. Officers, acting on intelligence, executed a search warrant shortly after 1:00 p.m. at a white home in the area. Police reported that upon arrival, both occupants attempted to flee toward the kitchen before officers gained entry and

presented the warrant. A search of the premises uncovered multiple quantities of suspected marijuana, including 24 packages found in a grey garbage bag and additional amounts on the kitchen counter. Four clear jars containing suspected marijuana were also recovered. In a bedroom on the western side of the home, officers discovered a large quantity of cash. Police seized $15,900 in U.S. currency and $2,525.50

in Bahamian currency, for a total of $18,425.50, believed to be proceeds of criminal activity. Additionally, officers confiscated approximately 1.2 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, with an estimated street value of $2,300. The total weight and value of the remaining suspected drugs are still being determined. Both suspects were taken into custody and cautioned in connection with the discovery. Investigations are ongoing.

Reparations: Is it finally time?

ONDecember17,2025,the

Second International Decade for Peopleof AfricanDescent wasproclaimed bytheUnited Nations. BarbaraReynolds, Chair ofthe UnitedNations Working Groupof Expertson People of African Descent noted that thefirst decade raised awareness of anti-black racism, and the second decade must bring action.

“Itisnow timetoturnthe rhetoricinto reality,theacknowledgment into answers and the apologies into action toaddresstheunfinishedbusiness of racial justice, she said.“Forreparatoryjusticeto righthistorical wrongs.For environmentaljustice,forsustainabledevelopment, andfor digitaljustice toassure thefuture of all peoples.”

The three core objectives of the first International Decade for Peopleof AfricanDescent were: To strengthennational, regionaland internationalactionandcooperationinrelation to the full enjoyment of economic, social,cultural, civil andpolitical rightsby peopleof Africandescent and their fulland equal participationin allaspectsof society; To promotea greater knowledge of and respect for the diverseheritage,cultureand contributionof peopleof Africandescent tothedevelopment of societies; Toadopt andstrengthennational,regional andinternationallegal frameworksin accordance with the Durban DeclarationandProgramme of Actionand theInternational Conventionon the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and toensure theirfull andeffective implementation.

In the firstdecade, the United Nations Permanent Forumon PeopleofAfrican Descent wasestablished throughtheAugust2021resolution 75/314. The resolution describes the Permanent Forum as a consultative mechanism forpeople of Africandescent andotherrelevant stakeholders as a platform for improvingthe safety and qualityof lifeand livelihoodsofpeopleofAfricandescent,as wellas anadvisory body to theHuman Rights Council[ ] ofthe programme of activitiesfor the implementationof theInternational Decadefor Peopleof African Descent.

Bahamian Chair of the

Permanent Forum for PeopleofAfricanDescent In 2022,Bahamian human rights expert Gaynel Curry was appointedto theUnited Nations Permanent Forum for Peopleof AfricanDescent. Earlier this month, Ms. Curry was appointedChair ofthe PermanentForum. Inher statement, shesaid, As Chair of the PermanentForum for People of African Descent, I will strive to ensure that the Forum continuesto placethe aspirationsand humanrights concerns of people of African descent atthe centreof allits work. Iwill workto ensure that our effortscontinue to meaningfullyreflectandbring visibility tothe challenges faced byvulnerable and marginalized groupsof our constituency. In particular, women and girlsof African descent, persons with disabilities, children, youth, the elderly, migrants, andthe economically disenfranchised. “These socio-economic inequalities that plague communities of African descent are deeply rootedin thelegacies of enslavement and colonialism andrequire collective, intentional, transformational

Curry said. To this end, I will sincerelyengage andseek meaningful opportunitiesto strengthen tiesbetween Africans on the continent and people and peopleof African descent.”

Statement from Bahamas National ReparationsCommittee At thesession atthe United Nationsin Geneva,Chairof The Bahamas National Reparations CommitteeNiambi HallCampbell Deanmadea session. “Giving honour to the

ders we stand on,” she said, the Bahamas National Reparations Committeecongratulates ourvery ownGaynel Curry on herappointment as chair ofthis Forum.From an archipelagic nation of more than700islands andcays,but fewer than 400,00 people, GaynelCurryisanexampleof the great impact that small island developing states can have on the world.

HallCampbell Deancontinued, Conversely,thethreat of erasurethrough intensifying hurricanes and rising

seasisa demonstrationofthe devastating impact that industrialeconomies builtupon our enslaved ancestors' backsarenow havingonus. We were traffickedto these lands and forcedto forget ournames. Nowwelive under theconstant threatof being forgotten.We arethe valuables thatwere stolen, andouridentity istheculture that must be restored.

Wedonot callonthe52 countries thatremain neutral in momentsof truth,but gaslightus bypledgingsupport to this Forum to do this work. Tothem andthose who flatout refusetoacknowledge the gravest crimesagainst humanity: You will pay us. You will pay. We appreciate the structure providedby meetingin these hallowed halls, but note that Pompey, Bookman, Queen Nanny, andZumbi dos Palmaresstrategized inda bush.Wemustultimatelyseek ourown spaces,free fromthe funding whimsof thoseinvested in our degradation.

“We cannot use the master's tools to dismantle the master's house when we only speak the colonizer's languages. We rec-

Women take the lead in whiskey as more female drinkers and distillers change the industry

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press

SHOREHAM, Vt. (AP)

MeghanIreland alwaysloved chemistry,but asacollege freshmanstudyingchemicalengineering, shedidn t knowshe could channel her passion for science intothe artof making whiskey.

It took stumbling across an article about a female chemical engineer who became a master whiskey distiller for something to click: Ireland'sfellow students could go intoplastics and pharmaceuticals, she was going into whiskey. It was kind of like a connection of, 'hey, Ican see someone who lookslike me, whohas the same exact kindof education and backgrounddoing thisjob,'and kind ofopened it up asan option,” said Ireland,now thechief blender behind Vermont-based whiskey brand WhistlePig.

Ireland isamong agrowing number of women who have become leaders inside a traditionallymale-dominatedindustrythat has notalways welcomedoutsiders.Increasingly, womenare launching theirown brandsand findingnew waysto innovatein distillingand blendingat atime when morewomen aredrinking whiskey.

Women areoften asked: ‘Do you even like whiskey?

There is acommon, lingering doubt among some male colleaguesand consumersthatthe women gaining expertise in the industry even like whiskey.

BeckyPaskin, ajournalist from the U.K.and founder of OurWhiskeyFoundation, anorganizationthatpromotesandsupports women in the whiskey busi-

ness,saidshe wasaskedthat question whileserving asa judge at a whiskey tasting event. It is a drink that comes with certain expectationsaround which gender drinks it and which gender makes it,” Paskin said, adding: “Barely anyother drink or food falls under such scrutiny,”

Paskinsayspart ofherworkis creating stock imagesof women consumingwhiskey thatdon't present women as sex objects and are not a public service warning.

“The only imagesof women drinking whiskey were depicting them as being pregnant, drunk, naked;or pregnant,drunkand naked,” she said.

There's along historyof women preserving and advancing whiskey

Whiskey-making has long beenconsidered amasculineprofessioninAmerica,adrinkexclusively enjoyed bymen swirling golden liquid indark, smoky rooms. Butindustry expertsand historians are quickto point out that women havealways been involved in the process and were likely key to its survival in the U.S.

Thefirst distillinginstrument wascreated bya woman,Maria Hebraea, an alchemist from aroundthe2ndcentury,according to Susan Reigler,a bourbon expert.From there,distillingwas largely seen aswomen’s work as they were incharge of home brewing,making medicineand taking care of the home.

Women notably managed distilleries in the 1800s in Kentucky, where CatherineCarpenter recorded the firstknown recipe for sour mash, now the most commonstyle ofAmerican whiskey. Andwhile womenled

thetemperance movementinthe 19th and 20th centuries, some historiansestimate theremay have beenmore femalebootleggers thanmen duringProhibition in part because women were less likelyto be searchedby police, according to the book “Whiskey Women,” written by Fred Minnick. Reigler says she often marvels at theU.S. whiskeyindustry's transformation,which wasina serious downturnin the1990s whenshefirst beganreportingon it fromLouisville, Kentucky.As distillers workedto make whiskeyappealing toAmerican consumers,Reigler begandocumenting howwomen contributed to that effort, ranging from the wives who made key marketing decisions that boosted distillery

tourism to the female bartenders who designed new whiskey cocktails.

Threewomen co-foundedthe Kentucky Bourbon Trail a novel idea at the time that has sincebeen copiedacrossthe country including Peggy Noe Stevens, theworld's firstfemale MasterBourbon Taster,whowas working at WoodfordReserve, as wellasDonnaNallywithMaker's MarkandDorisCalhounwithJim Beam, Reigler said. There have always been women in bourbon,” she said. But a lot of them have been behind the scenes.”

Women advance innovation and creativity in whiskey InVermont,Irelandhasbeenin charge of keeping WhistlePig’s whiskey consistentsince 2018,

ommendthe foruminvestin African language programs throughoutthe diasporasowe canoneday speaktoeach other withoutinterpretation. We fully support the developmentof aGlobalReparations Fund that values the voice of SIDS,includesAfricanepistemologies,andrecognizesyour words, Dr Soomer, that, as the wombs of African descendant women birthed capitalism, the hands of African descendant people will kill it at least in its current form.”

Finally and repeatedly, she powerfully closed, “Haiti isournorthstar.Ifthereareno reparationsfor Haiti,thereare no reparations. Reparations now!”

Recommendations

1.SpitWhiteLime. This dup exhibitionwith workby KEEYAand AngelikaWallace Whitfield opensat The Current Galleryin BahaMar onThursday, April16 at6pm. “Rootedinthe cadenceofBahamian oraltradition, thisexhibition reflects on storytelling as a vessel for cultural memory, survival, and transformation. Through mixed media practices,KEEYA and Wallace Whitfield reimagine inherited narratives activating them asliving forces thatshape identity,community, and place. These works speak to the power of stories carriedinthe bodyandshared across generations,reminding usthatwhat wepreservecontinues to define us.”

2.Nature Matters: Vital Poems fromthe GlobalMajority.This anthologyofnature poetry, editedby Mona Arshi andKaren McCarthy Woolf, is the Feminist Book Club pick for this month. The collection calls usto reconsider naturepoetry from global-majority perspectives and its themes include the climate crisis and the Anthropocene, urban nature, solitude and alienation,protest and radical empathy, and Indigenous wisdomand alternative histories.” Bernadine Evaristo called it an exquisitely profound andgroundbreaking testamentto ournaturalworld bymany ofthe mostpowerful poeticvoices ofourtimes. Olive Senior and Kei Miller areamong theCaribbean poets whose workappears in NatureMatters. Jointhediscussion at 6pmat Poinciana Paper Press, 12 Parkgate Road.For FeministBook Clubupdates, registerat tiny.cc/fbc2026.

but she also oversees experimental batches.Herfirstwhiskeyinnovationwas the Boss Hog VIIthat quickly attracted praise and awards forher decision to finish itin Spanishoak andBrazilian teakwood barrels. Irelandsays morewomenbecoming involvedin theindustryestablishes whiskey as a drink for everyone.

“It can be enjoyed by everyone and it’s being made by females too, she said.

JudyHollis Jonesspentyearsas asenior executive in the food industry before launchinga whiskeycompany inKentucky in 2019. Thetransition to the whiskey world mimicked the boardrooms she hadbeen infor decades,where she was often the only woman present.

HollisJones isthepresident andCEO of Buzzard'sRoost, a whiskeybrand she co-founded withMaster BlenderJason Brauner. Shedescribes thewhiskey industryas a “tough business” that has ebbedand flowedover theyears, butone thing that has steadilyincreased is the number of women showing up to tastings andtours,eagerto takepartakeinthe whiskey experience.

“I’ve hadpeople say to me, ‘Oh, well, youdon twearjeans,bootsandacowboy hat,’” shesaid. “AndI said: ‘No, Idon’t. And every bourbondrinker female does not.Weareverywiderangeofpeoplethat love bourbon.

Cook to step down at Apple

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer

APPLE CEO Tim Cook is stepping downfrom thejob that he inheritedfrom thelate Steve Jobs, ending a 15-year reign that saw the company s market value soarby morethan $3.6trillion during aniPhone-fuelled era of prosperity

Cook, 65,will turnthe CEO duties over to Apple’s head of hardware engineering,John Ternus, on Sept.1 while remaining involved with the Cupertino, California,company as executive chairman. That s similar tothe transitionsmade by Amazon’sJeff BezosandNetflix sReed Hastingsafterthey ended theirhighly successful tenures as CEO.

ToallowCook toassumehis new job, Arthur Levinson will relinquishhis roleasApple's non-executive chairmanwhile remaining on itsboard of directors.

“It has been the greatest privilege of my life tobe the CEO of Appleandto havebeentrusted to lead such an extraordinary company," Cook saidin a statement. “I loveApplewith allof mybeing,andIamsogratefulto have hadthe opportunityto workwitha teamofsuchingenious, innovative,creative, and deeply caring people.

Ternus, 50,has beenwith Apple for the past quarter century, including the past five yearsoverseeingtheengineering underlying theiPhone, iPadand Mac arolethatmade hima prime candidate to succeed Cook.

I amprofoundly gratefulfor this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward, Ternus said in a statement.

Cookand Ternusmayhave more to sayabout the changing of the guard on April 30 when Apple is scheduled to release its financial resultsfor thefirst three months of the year.

The transition toa new CEO comes at apivotal time for Apple.Artificialintelligencehas unleashed the most upheaval withinthe industrysinceJobs unveiled the firstiPhone in

2007. Apple has gottenoff to a rough startin AIafter stumbling in its effortsto deliver new features built onthe technology, as promised nearly two years ago.

Earlierthisyear,Applefinally turned to Google an early leaderin theAI race for help making theiPhone's virtualassistantSiriintoamoreconversational and versatile helper. Cookcreated amajorlegacy at Apple but it was ultimately time to pass thetorch to Ternus with the AI strategy now the focus,” WedbushSecurities analyst Dan Ives said. Although he never shook the perception thathe lackedJobs vision, Cookleveraged thepopularityof theiPhone andother breakthroughs orchestrated by his predecessor tolift Apple to heightsthat seemedunfathomable when it was on the brink of bankruptcy during the mid1990s.

Notlong afterCooktook

10,000 workers scammed people globally from ThaiCambodia compound

By HUIZHONG WU

Associated Press

O'SMACH,Cambodia(AP)

I haveoften usedthe wordindustrial-scale inmy ownwriting to describe the scam compounds thatdot thisregion inSoutheast Asia.

But theweight ofthat phrase truly sunk in atthe O’Smach Resort complexthat wevisited on Tuesday. Thailand's military, which conducted atour for the media, said thatthe whole area encompasses around 197 acres (80 hectares),equivalent to150 American football fields.

It wasn't my first time at a scam centre, but its scale dwarfed anything I had seen before.

From mybase in theregion, I havefollowed thisissue forthe past few years,watching its scale only grow larger and larger.

Scamcompounds have mushroomedacross SoutheastAsia sincethe pandemic.Insidethese industrial-scale complexes,

workersattempt tolureunsuspecting targets from countries all across the world in sophisticated online-basedscams.Thelatestestimatesfromthe U.N.officeon Human Rights arethat around 300,000 workersare caughtup in the industry regionally. Thailand s militaryinvited journalists back to the huge scam complex it seized in December during itsborder conflictwith Cambodia.The militarysaidit took the area inresponse to the Cambodian side using it as a base ofoperations forlaunchingattacks.

The complex wascalled the O’Smach Resort, owned by Cambodian politician Ly Yong Phat, who faces U.S. sanctions for rightsabuses inthe verysame complex. It's unclear, however, whether the new construction also belongs toLy. Throughout themassive groundsof theselfcontained town, therewere signs ofconstruction. Pilesofbricks and constructioncranes sat

over,Apple becamethefirst publicly traded company to be valued at $1 trillion, then becamethe firsttobevalued at$2 trillion and $3 trillion, too.

But afterApple's slowstart in AI, chipmaker Nvidia rode the feverish demandfor itsprocessors thatpower thattechnology to bethe firstcompany to reach the $4 trillion thresholdand then thefirst tobreakthrough the$5 trillion barrier,too. Apple is currentlyvaluedat $4trillion,up from $350 billionwhen Tim Cook took over in August 2011, shortly before Jobsdied after a long bout with cancer.

Steve Jobs was never going to bean easy act tofollow, yet Tim Cook tookJobs legacy and transformed Apple into a durable,resilient financialpowerhouse,” said Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee. Besides guiding Appleto a phenomenalrunoffinancialsuc-

cess, Cookalso madehis mark inanOctober 2014essayacknowledging his homosexuality – a disclosure by the leader of a renowned company that was hailedas abreakthrough forthe gay rights movement.

Beforehis death,Jobsspent timegroomingCook tobehis successor–amovethatreflected theApple co-founder’s respect and admirationfor anexecutive that he hired in1998 to oversee the company ssupply chain. Knowinghis successorwould likelybe measuredagainsthis legacy, Jobs advisedCook to be guided by his own instincts and never bother musing, What would Steve do?”

Cook,anAlabamanativewho previouslyworked atCompaq Computerand Apple s former nemesis, IBM,masterminded theintricaciesofaninternational supply chain that plumbed the cheaper labourand efficiencyof China’smanufacturing plants.It has playedan instrumentalrole in the production of the Mac computers, iPods,iPhones, iPads and other products that accountformostofApple’sannual revenue of$416 billion – up from $108billion whenCook became CEO.

Butmost ofApple’s bestselling devices were all conceivedwhileJobswasstillCEO, raisingquestions aboutwhether Cook was moreof a logistics man than an idea man.

While Cook has kept Apple’s growthtrajectory movingat asteadyclip, hehas notoverseenastep-changeinnovationthat wouldresetApple s competitive position for the next twodecades,asJobsdidwiththe iPhone,” Chatterjee said.

The company didcreate the twopopular newproduct lines

theApple Watchandwireless AirPod headphones – and a stillnicheVision Proheadset for experiencing virtualreality, but none of them have been the kind of breakthroughs that became Jobs’ trademark. Meanwhile, other ballyhooedprojects such as Apple’seffort tobuild aselfdriving car never materialized after yearsof researchand investments.

waiting for workers to finish the job.

The military also took us to the premises whereworkers likely scammedAmericans. FBIdata released on Tuesday shows that Americanslostnear$21billionto scams in 2025 alone.

On the desks inside a fourstoryoffice buildingwerestill snacksfromtheprevioususers,as well as scripts and notes in Chinese oneach aspectof thescam. AmericanSIM cardswerescattered about as well. There wasan elaborateback-

story totarget theAmericans. Oneofthescriptsonthedeskwas 24 pages of an in-depth character sketch ofa womannamed Mila whohadearnedalotofmoneyon the gold options trading market. But the scriptwent further. Mila had lost her husband to leukaemia whentheir daughter wasjust ababy. Itconstructed memories ofher childhood,such as her gettingbullied by other girls, andthen herparents sendingherto SouthAfricato livewith heruncleinorder tobe in a healthier environment.

American YouTuber sentenced to6 months in South Korean prison for offensive stunts

SEOUL, SouthKorea (AP) An American YouTuber whosparked national outragein South Koreafor provocative stunts,includingdancing ona statue honoring victims of wartime sexual slavery, was sentenced tosix monthsinprison Wednesday.

The Seoul Western District Court found Ramsey Khalid Ismael, a self-proclaimed internet troll known online as JohnnySomali,guiltyof multiplecharges,includingobstructionof businessanddistributing fabricatedsexually explicit content.

Prosecutorshad soughtathree-yearterm forIsmael, whoalso facedaccusationsofharassing staffandvisitors at anamusement park, disruptinga conveniencestore by blasting music and upending noodles onto a table, causing similarscenes ona busand subway,and distributingnonconsensual deepfake videos.

Snapchat owner cuts 16% of global staff in latest round of job cuts

The Associated Press

Theowner ofsocialmediaplatform Snapchatsaid Wednesdayit'seliminatingabout 16%ofitsglobalworkforce,or about1,000jobs thatwill beculledin itslatest round of layoffs.

Snap Inc. said in a regulatory filing that the job cuts will costabout $95millionto $130millionin severancepayments and related costs.

“The headcount reduction is designed to further streamline our operations and reallocate resources toward our highest-priority initiatives, leveragingincreased operational efficiencies to accelerate our path toward net-income profitability," the company said in its filing.

Snap had 5,261 full-time employees as of Dec. 31, 2025, the company said in its latest annual report.

US faces demand to restore $350 million in federal funding to help power Puerto Rico

By DÁNICA COTO Associated Press

SAN JUAN,Puerto Rico(AP)

Nearly 200 organizationsare urging theTrump administration and Puerto Rico’s governorto restore$350 millionin federal fundingthat was meant to financethe installation ofrooftop solar andbattery systems for 12,000 low-income families across the U.S. territory

Many of the families have disabilities or medical conditionsthat requireelectricity. Concernisgrowing thatthe U.S.willabandonthem as chronic power outages persist and theAtlantic hurricane seasonofficially nears it runs from June 1-Nov. 30.

“Forthem inparticular, whethertheyget a(solar) systemor notis somethingthatis reallylife ordeath, Charlotte GossettNavarro, Puerto Rico chiefdirector for the Hispanic Federation, said in a phone interview.

AI startup Anthropic commits $100 billion to Amazon's AWS over next 10 years

The Associated Press

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has agreed to commit more than $100 billionto Amazon's AWS cloud platform over the next 10 years to train and run its Claude chatbot.

Amazon willinvest $5billion immediatelyas partof thenew agreementannounced thisweekby thecompanies, and upto another $20 billion inthe future. Amazon previously invested $8 billion in Anthropic.

ThepartnershipwillallowAnthropic tosecureupto5 gigawatts of Amazon’s Trainium chips to train and power their artificial intelligence models.

“Ourcustom AIsilicon offershighperformance atsignificantlylower costfor customers,which iswhy it s in such hot demand,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

Amazon said AWS customers will be able to access the fullAnthropic-native Claudeconsolefrom withinthe AWS cloud platform.

World News

US forces board a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, the Pentagon says

By BEN FINLEY, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and BILL BARROW Associated Press

US forces have boarded an oil tanker previously sanctioned for smuggling Iranian crude oil in Asia, the Pentagon said Tuesday, as it puts into place a global warning to track down vessels tied to Tehran.

US forces "conducted a right-of-visit maritime interdiction" of the M/T Tifani "without incident," the Pentagon said on social media.

The tanker was captured in the Bay of Bengal — between India and Southeast Asia — and it was carrying Iranian oil, according to a US defence official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing military operation. The military will decide in the next four days what to do with the vessel, such as tow it back to the US or turn it over to another country, the official said.

It's the latest move by the US to stop any ship tied to Iran or those suspected of carrying supplies that could help its government, from weapons and oil to metals and electronics. The tanker was seized before President Donald Trump announced

that the US was extending a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war at mediator Pakistan's request but was keeping the blockade in place.

The tanker is the second vessel linked to Iran that has been interdicted by the US military. The US Navy attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday that it said had tried to evade its blockade of Iranian ports, with Trump saying an American destroyer blew a hole in the ship's engine room.

The Pentagon on social media described the Tifani as "stateless" despite it being a Botswana-flagged vessel.

"As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran — anywhere they operate," the Pentagon announcement said, echoing previous statements from Trump administration officials. "International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels."

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week that the enforcement actions would extend beyond Iranian waters and the area under control of US Central Command.

Takeaways from former top UK official's testimony on the Mandelson appointment scandal

US forces in other areas of responsibility, he told reporters at the Pentagon, "will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran." He specifically pointed to operations in the Pacific and said the US would target vessels that left before the blockade began outside the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for energy and other shipments.

The military also detailed an expansive list of goods that it considers contraband, declaring that it will board, search and seize them from merchant vessels "regardless of location." A notice published Thursday

By SYLVIA HUI and BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press

A FORMER top British official on Tuesday revealed behind-the-scenes details about how scandal-tainted politician Peter Mandelson, a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, came to be approved as Britain's ambassador to Washington despite failing security checks.

Olly Robbins, the former head of the Foreign Office, was fired by Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week over his decision to approve Mandelson for the top diplomatic job despite being briefed about security concerns. In his defence, Robbins told lawmakers Tuesday that his department followed the correct procedure. But his comments did little to dispel

says any "goods that are destined for an enemy and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict" are "subject to capture at any place beyond neutral territory."

The US military's actions against Iranian-linked vessels, namely the attack over the weekend on the cargo ship named the Touska, have raised questions about the two-week ceasefire.

The US and Iran are operating in "an awkward space where the law doesn't give you a clean yes-or-no answer" on whether the ceasefire was violated, said Jason Chuah, a law professor at the City University of London and the Maritime Institute of Malaysia.

months of questions surrounding Starmer's judgment in appointing Mandelson, and led to renewed calls for Starmer to step down.

The fallout for Starmer has rumbled on even though he fired Mandelson last year after documents showed the ambassador had maintained much closer ties to Epstein than previously thought.

Here are some key takeaways from Robbins' testimony to Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee: Robbins says the Prime Minister's office was 'dismissive' of security vetting

One of the most damaging revelations for Starmer was Robbins' description of the political pressure to push through Mandelson's security vetting.

Robbins told lawmakers there was a "very,

"The United States seems to take the line that the conflict never fully switched off — that is there is still a state of armed conflict," Chuah said. "By saying that, it can keep doing things like enforcing a blockade and even using limited force at sea."

Iran is treating the ceasefire as a pause on all hostile acts, Chuah said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday called the US blockade a breach of the ceasefire and said "striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation." In a letter, Iran's UN Mission asked the UN Security Council and UN chief António Guterres to condemn the US for seizing the Touska and its crew.

The US earlier had instituted a blockade against sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela but had never fired on those vessels.

Blockades and even limited attacks on vessels can be lawful in wartime, with merchant vessels becoming legitimate targets if they contribute to military actions, carry contraband or are incorporated into enemy logistics, Chuah said.

It's harder to prove that a ship such as the Touska is realistically contributing to military action against the

very strong expectation" from Downing Street that Mandelson "needed to be in post and in America as quickly as humanly possible."

Robbins said security vetting was underway but not yet complete when he took up his job, about two weeks after Mandelson's appointment was announced in December 2024. The U.S. government had accepted the nomination and Mandelson was granted access to classified briefings.

Downing Street took a "dismissive attitude" to Mandelson's security vetting, Robbins said.

There was "never any interest, as far as I can recall, in whether, but only an interest in when," he said.

Starmer said he was "furious" he wasn't told Mandelson had failed security clearance and that he fired Robbins for withholding that information. The government said Starmer only found out last week that United Kingdom Security Vetting, the team carrying out highly sensitive security checks on officials, had advised against granting Mandelson clearance.

Robbins said Foreign Office confidentiality rules barred him from telling the prime minister he had approved Mandelson for the posting despite the team's advice to the contrary, and that the vetting process is so secretive that even he was not shown the panel's report on Mandelson.

The government has said vetting officials give their recommendations on a document with three boxes — green, yellow and red — to indicate if clearance should be approved or denied. It's not known what risks were flagged by the vetting officials, nor whether Robbins knew what they were.

Robbins said he never saw the document but that he was briefed that the vetting officials considered Mandelson a "borderline case" and were "leaning towards recommending that clearance be denied."

Nonetheless, Foreign Office officials decided those risks could be managed or mitigated. The furor over the appointment arose earlier this year when new files released in Washington suggested Mandelson sent market-sensitive information to Epstein following the 2008 financial crisis when he was the U.K. government's business secretary.

US, Chuah said.

"The whole dispute really turns on a deceptively simple question: Did the ceasefire actually suspend the right to use force?" Chuah said. "If it did, then firing on vessels or seizing them is very hard to square with the United Nations Charter."

Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and a senior defence adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said a violation of the ceasefire is up for interpretation because there were no defined terms.

"Trump announced it. The Iranians agreed. But there's no formal agreement," Cancian said. "So whether it broke the ceasefire or not depends on your perspective. ... Nothing was written down." Michael O'Hanlon, a defence and foreign policy analyst at the Brookings Institution, said the US did not violate the ceasefire because it was limited to bombing Iran, not the blockade.

"We agreed to stop dropping bombs on them, and that's the basic thing they wanted," O'Hanlon said, adding that the US still had to enforce the blockade "if you're going to make it mean anything."

But Robbins said explicitly that concerns raised in Mandelson's security screening had nothing to do with his ties to the convicted sex abuser.

Alarms, however, were sounded in a "due diligence report" when Mandelson was first named as the future ambassador. The report released to Parliament last month showed civil servants raised concerns about the "reputational risk" the elder statesman posed for the government if appointed to the high-profile diplomatic post.

In addition to citing the Epstein relationship, the report outlined Mandelson's troubling business ties to Russia and China and noted his resignations from two previous Labour governments because of scandals over money and ethics.

Starmer apologized and blamed Mandelson for lying about the extent of his ties to the convicted sex offender.

Robbins' testimony that Mandelson was appointed despite significant security concerns has heaped new pressure on a beleaguered Starmer to defend himself from rivals calling for his resignation.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said it was "inconceivable" that nobody in Starmer's office knew Mandelson had flunked the security clearance, and she accused him of misleading Parliament.

"The evidence from Olly Robbins is devastating to Keir Starmer," Badenoch said. "It is clear that No. 10 not only made the appointment before vetting was completed, but that Mandelson was already acting as the ambassador before the vetting, even seeing highly-classified documents. ... It is now absolutely clear that 'full due process' was not followed."

Polling has consistently shown support for Starmer is falling. Keiran Pedley, director of politics at the polling firm Ipsos, said the latest revelations could entrench the public's negative views about his leadership.

"Recently it had been suggested that Starmer's response to the Iran war had put questions about his future on the back burner," Pedley added. "That may no longer be the case."

Upcoming local elections in England, Scotland and Wales could deliver a more resounding referendum on his leadership if they are, as expected, particularly bad for the Labour Party.

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

DINNER in Nassau is no longer confined to a single table. With the introduction of Amuse-Bouche, the city’s culinary scene is being reimagined as a moving, immersive concept that blends flavour, atmosphere and discovery into one seamless evening.

Now offering what is described as Nassau’s first high-end, chef-driven food tour, the experience goes beyond dining, giving guests the opportunity to explore multiple restaurants in one night, without ever having to worry about the logistics in between.

From the moment the tour begins, the experience leans fully into its promise of a VIP evening.

A TASTE OF

Nassau like never before

taurants adds another layer to the experience. Rather than remaining in one space, the evening flows across multiple locations, allowing guests to enjoy the island without the usual hassle of driving or coordinating plans. That sense of ease becomes part of the appeal, particularly as the experience builds from one stop to the next.

There is also a strong social element that develops throughout the night. The group dynamic plays a key role, as guests settle into the experience, share conversations

Guests are greeted upon arrival and guided through each step with ease before being transported from one location to the next in a way that feels both seamless and intentional. There is no stress about reservations or timing, just a smooth transition into an experience that unfolds stop by stop. Tour restaurants includes options like Claudios Bahamas, Latitudes, Meze Grill, Solemar, and more.

At the first location, the tone is immediately set. Tables are prepared in advance, staff are ready, and dishes begin arriving almost as soon as guests are seated. What follows is a carefully orchestrated rhythm where chefs step forward to introduce each dish and bartenders present signature drinks, creating an atmosphere that is both informative and entertaining. The movement between res-

one curated journey rather than a single dining destination.

“Amuse-Bouche is designed to be an effortless, elevated evening from start to finish. Guests are transported between some of Nassau’s top restaurants, where VIP tables are reserved and chefs present curated tastings at each stop,” said Ms Knowles.

The experience is carefully paced, allowing guests to sample a variety of dishes without feeling overwhelmed, while maintaining a natural flow throughout the evening.

“Each course is intentionally portioned, just enough to excite the palate without overwhelming it, paired with cocktails or non-alcoholic options, creating a natural flow throughout the night. It’s not

and create their own moments of fun along the way. By the time the final stop is reached, the evening feels like a shared outing.

At the centre of it all is founder Gina Knowles, whose vision reflects a shift in what diners are now seeking.

“Nassau has always been known for its rich culinary scene, but there has been a noticeable shift in what both visitors and locals are seeking. People are no longer just looking for a great meal; they are looking for a complete, elevated experience,” said Ms Knowles. That shift is what led to the creation of the concept, bringing together top restaurants into

joyable the evening feels, and how the combination of great food, great company and attentive hosting creates a truly extraordinary experience,” said Ms Knowles. Through its partnerships with leading restaurants, the tour also highlights the diversity within Nassau’s culinary landscape, offering a broader perspective on what the local food scene has to offer.

“Through our partnership with Titan Hospitality, which represents some of the top restaurants in Nassau, we’re able to showcase a collection of standout dining experiences in one effortless journey,” said Ms Knowles.

For those weighing their options, the difference between a traditional dinner and this experience lies in the journey itself.

“Amuse-Bouche offers what a traditional dinner cannot: variety, movement and a fully curated experience. Guests enjoy multiple top-tier restaurants in one evening, while also exploring the island along the way. Tables are reserved, managers personally greet guests, and chefs present their dishes at each stop.

There’s also a social element, with guests meeting new people and sharing the experience together, all at a price point that is unmatched for the level of experience offered,” said Ms Knowles.

With each stop building on the last, the evening becomes less about where you are dining and more about how you are experiencing the city, with every detail working together to create a seamless and memorable outing.

just about the food; it’s the combination of movement, atmosphere, storytelling, and service that makes the experience feel indulgent, well-orchestrated, and memorable from beginning to end,” said Ms Knowles.

While the structure remains consistent, the energy of each tour evolves based on the people taking part, giving each evening its own unique feel.

“While the menu is thoughtfully preplanned and consistent, no two tours are ever the same. The energy of each evening is shaped by the guests, the hostesses and the overall atmosphere, which creates a different dynamic every time,” said Ms Knowles. That balance between structure and spontaneity is what keeps the experience engaging from start to finish, with guests responding not only to the food but to the overall flow of the evening.

“The reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Guests often comment on how smooth and en-

“It’s that combination of elevated dining, seamless flow and atmosphere that makes it truly unforgettable,” said Ms Knowles.

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE journey back to the ocean is rarely straightforward, but for one small sea turtle, it has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Information provided by the public relations team at Atlantis Paradise Island outlines the story of Lucky, a critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle whose survival has marked a rare and hopeful moment in marine conservation, arriving just in time for Earth Day.

That recovery set in motion the next phase of his journey. Atlantis Paradise Island officials explained that once Lucky was deemed stable, efforts began to identify a suitable facility in a warmer climate where he could continue rehabilitation before being released back

Lucky was discovered last autumn along the rocky shoreline of Halifax, Nova Scotia, far from the warm waters where his species typically thrives. Cold, weak and barely responsive, he had become what scientists describe as “coldstunned”, a condition that leaves young turtles immobilised when ocean temperatures drop too low. In that region, survival under such circumstances is almost unheard of.

the Gulf of Mexico, where large groups of females gather offshore before coming ashore to nest. From there, they make their way into the ocean, often finding shelter among floating sargassum, where they feed and grow before eventually migrating to coastal waters.

“Sometimes, juvenile sea turtles aren’t strong enough to navigate winds and tides and get pushed too far north, too late in the year. When water temperatures drop, these turtles become “cold-stunned,” meaning they are weak, immobile and float on top of the water. The waves often strand them on shore. In Halifax, where Lucky was found, it’s very rare for any sea turtle to survive the ordeal,” said the local team members.

story serves as a reminder of the fragile bal ance within marine eco systems and the far-reaching impact of conservation efforts that stretch well beyond borders. believe the move to warmer waters was a critical

into the wild. Atlantis Paradise Island, with its marine habitat and specialised veterinary care, was ultimately selected.

“The team was ready for their trip to Atlantis Paradise Island on February 24, but the weather had other ideas. Halifax received nearly 12 inches of snow that day with wind gusts up to 60 mph. But luck was on their side, and after 2,700 miles from Halifax to Toronto to The Bahamas, the group touched down and met our team at the airport.

On April 8, following weeks of observation and care, Lucky was given a final health check by Atlantis veterinarian Deandra De

The team noted that his rescue marked the first time in Canadian history that a cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtle has been found alive and successfully rehabilitated. Volunteers from the Canadian Sea Turtle Network, who patrol the coastline during the colder months, spotted the turtle and brought him into care, where he slowly regained strength under veterinary supervision.

Lucky boarded our SeaKeepers rescue vehicle, was driven to Atlantis and arrived at our Fish and Turtle Hospital to recover in quarantine until ready to be released,” said team members at Atlantis.

The next day, the Atlantis veterinarian and aquarist team conducted a proper intake: measurements, weight, physical exam and blood tests.

This Earth Day, Lucky’s

preparing the young turtle for life back in the ocean, allowing him to regain natural behaviours and rebuild the strength needed to survive on his own.

Resort officials also explained that Kemp’s ridley sea turtles – the world's most endangered species of sea turtle, as well as the smallest – typically

Lucky’s story may have begun with a wrong turn into dangerously cold waters, but it ends with a powerful example of what can happen when people come together in service of the natural world.

On a day dedicated to the planet, it stands as a quiet but meaningful reminder that even the smallest lives can inspire global effort, and that second chances in nature are worth every mile.

• The species is named after Richard M. Kemp, a fisherman from Key West, Florida, who first submitted the species for identification in 1906.