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Davis: Christie and Ingraham opposed first bid in politics

By RASHAD ROLLE

News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has revealed that former Prime Ministers Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie opposed his initial bid to enter frontline politics, a move he says derailed an early promise of a nomination. Addressing a PLP leadership module on Saturday, Mr Davis said Sir Lynden Pindling had pledged him the candidacy for the

newly created Marco City seat in Grand Bahama in the 1970s, according to his speech obtained by The Tribune. That collapsed after a Candidates Committee vote tied and Sir Lynden cast the deciding ballot against him. “I’ll never forget the day I asked him, ‘What happened?’ He replied with his infamous line, ‘Dey ain’ tell you?’ I had no idea what he meant. It turned out that Christie and Ingraham

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ATTORNEY Bjorn Ferguson has defended his initial election as vice president of the Bahamas Criminal Bar, saying the legal community must uphold the principle of innocence until proven guilty, even as he faces criminal charges. Ferguson, who is charged with accessory after the fact to bribery in connection with a high-profile police corruption probe, was elected during a meeting

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard yesterday unveiled a ten-point plan to tackle violent crime, accusing the governing Progressive Liberal Party of corruption, failed leadership, and awarding public contracts to people allegedly tied to criminal networks. At a press conference at FNM headquarters, Mr Pintard said Bahamians were living in fear as murders and other violent crimes

ZNS GM EYES NOMIN ATION FOR SOUTHERN SHORES SEAT

By EARYEL BOWLEG

ZNS general manager Clint Watson is eying the Progressive Liberal Party’s nomination for Southern Shores, The Tribune understands. Mr Watson was among several hopefuls who attended the PLP’s aspirants’ module over the weekend. Also present were Island Luck owner Sebas Bastian, who is interested in Fort Charlotte; Bahamas Aviation Climate and Severe Weather

Fun times at Goombay on Bay

Ferguson: Criminal Bar was wrong to call the election at the time it did

last Tuesday. However, the results were later declared void after officials ruled that too few members participated.

Ferguson acknowledged that the Criminal Bar Committee “was perhaps wrong to have called the election at the time when they did,” but insisted his candidacy should be judged on principle, not on pending charges.

“As a Bar we should all be staunch in our view to uphold the constitutional guarantee of innocence until/unless found guilty in a court of law,” he said.

“Any other position from the Bar is inimical to our oath and duty to defend and protect the constitution.”

Former president Murio Ducille KC said there was insufficient notice and the turnout did not reflect the full membership, prompting the decision to hold a new vote.

However, one lawyer who attended claimed the

only reason a new vote is being held is because Mr Ferguson was chosen as vice president. The Tribune understands his election unsettled some present and absent.

Some lawyers who did not attend said they were stunned that an election had been held, insisting they received little notice of the meeting and did not expect an election to take place.

Mr Ducille said Mr Ferguson’s pending case should not matter.

“Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “I am not concerned.”

Nathan Smith was elected president of the Criminal Bar during the meeting.

The Criminal Bar, a branch of the Bahamas Bar Association, advocates for criminal lawyers on issues ranging from poor court facilities to low pay for crown briefs. It is often the first body attorneys appeal to before escalating matters to the Bar Council.

‘Far too many oF our brothers and sisters being lost to violence’

threatened families and communities. He argued that government claims of declining crime did not match what residents were experiencing.

“I know the fear in our communities is real. I know the grief in too many families is almost unbearable,” he said. “Yet some officials are quick to claim that some statistics say crime is down. It does not change the reality that far too many of our brothers and sisters are being lost to violence.”

He said murders had increased by nearly 40 percent under the Davis administration compared to FNM years, rising from an average of 86 a year to 119.

“That means thirty more Bahamians are dying every year,” Mr Pintard said.

“And yet this government has failed to put forward a coordinated, credible crime strategy. Their silence is deadly.”

He cited the recent US travel advisory warning about robberies, burglaries and sexual assaults, and pointed to the indictment of 13 people, including police and defence force officers, as well as the armed robbery of the deputy commissioner of police. “If

criminals feel bold enough to target our top law enforcement, what message does that send to the rest of the country?” he asked.

The FNM leader accused the PLP of shielding politically connected figures.

“Right now, the public sees young men arrested for drugs and guns while the people behind them, the bosses, sign milliondollar contracts with the government. That cannot continue,” he said.

“I know the fear in our communities is real. I know the grief in too many families is almost unbearable,”

As he spoke, a MARCO Alert rang out across the room, which he said underscored his call for urgency. “Far too many of us have come to a point where we note it without paying attention to the message and the implication,” Mr Pintard said. “We cannot accept this as normal.”

He pledged that an FNM government would not award contracts to anyone tied to criminal enterprises and challenged the Prime

Minister to make the same commitment. He questioned whether contracts already awarded had gone to people with known criminal ties.

The ten-point plan includes a major recruitment drive to address police shortages, improved equipment and retention, and reforms to training, leadership and technology. It also proposes clearing court backlogs through virtual hearings, creating a modern

forensic lab, strengthening specialised courts, and reviewing sentencing laws to address gun crime and sexual violence.

Mr Pintard said an FNM government would appeal questionable bail decisions, impose stricter conditions on repeat offenders, and expand rehabilitation.

Other measures would separate young offenders from hardened criminals, provide more victim support, and invest in prevention programmes targeting gangs and drugs.

The plan also calls for community revitalisation, expanded neighbourhood watch programmes, and restructuring Urban Renewal.

Drawing from his own past, Mr Pintard said he was suspended twice and expelled from school before being readmitted. He credited mentors and his mother with steering him back. “Every child deserves an opportunity to transition away from a life that can lead them in jail, injured or dead,” he said.

“That is why we believe in rehabilitation and in giving young people a real path forward.”

“These ten steps form a plan that is tough, balanced and achievable,” he said.

“They are not promises for

tomorrow, they are actions we will take under an FNM government to make our communities safer and give our young people better choices.”

In a press release, the PLP dismissed the proposals as recycled and late, insisting its Five Pillars Strategy was already delivering results. “This plan is not on paper. It is being implemented across the country. Major crime has fallen sharply. Guns are being seized in record numbers in partnership with international partners. Gang networks are being disrupted. The courts are working through backlogs and delivering more convictions. Rehabilitation programs are expanding so fewer offenders return to crime,” the party said.

“To pretend these efforts are not happening is to insult the hard work of the police officers who put their lives on the line every day,” the statement added.

While the FNM accused the government of presiding over a surge in murders, the PLP insisted overall crime trends were improving. Both parties agreed on the need for stronger enforcement, judicial reform, and social intervention, but each argued its plan was more credible.

Union head dismisses Dr Strachan’s criticism of UB accreditation pursuit

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribubemedia.net

UNION of Tertiary

Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB) president Daniel Thompson has rejected criticism from former University of The Bahamas (UB) executive vice president Dr Ian Strachan, who called the institution’s pursuit of international accreditation “the most colonial thing” for UB.

Mr Thompson said international accreditation strengthens rather than undermines the university, noting that preparations have been underway for more than eight years. He argued that aligning with global standards enhances quality assurance and allows fledgling institutions like UB to benefit from systems refined over centuries abroad.

He acknowledged that Dr Strachan is entitled to his view but dismissed the claim that long-serving faculty were being broadly disqualified from teaching. Mr Thompson said only a very small percentage of lecturers had been affected by new accreditation requirements.

UB has filed applications with both The Bahamas’ National Accreditation and Equivalency Council (NAECOB) and The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, a US-based agency, as part of its dual accreditation drive. Dr Strachan, who was a finalist for the university presidency in 2022, has argued that the push for foreign recognition reflects a longstanding preference for non-Bahamians in UB leadership. That tension resurfaced in recent days amid controversy over new president Dr Robert Blaine III and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr Maria Woodside-Oriakhi, who was a finalist for the top post earlier this year. At a faculty seminar broadcasted by Eyewitness

“These alignments are not aligning you to North America. These are aligning you with international best practices. These are international best practices that cause you to enhance your quality assurance,” he said. “It’s about you determining how you want to improve your institution and ensuring that you utilize best practice. The university is 50 years old. That’s infantile when it comes to tertiary education.”

News, retired Justice Ruby Nottage rose to publicly urge attendees to support Dr Woodside-Oriakhi’s inclusion on the panel.

“I want each one here to approve Dr Oriakhi should be sitting here,” she declared. “Does everyone agree that she should be here? Yes, alright. Well, either we move together or we don’t move at all.”

Justice Nottage, noting her age of 81 and her long association with the university, told colleagues she expected Bahamians in leadership to be treated with “respect, dignity, law and order,” insisting Dr Oriakhi belonged at the table.

Mr Thompson, who was present, explained that faculty seminars are normally organised by Academic Affairs, but this year the Office of the President took charge and initially excluded Dr Oriakhi. He said Justice Nottage’s interjection reflected her personal view, but it prompted colleagues to call Dr Oriakhi, who joined the panel and participated fully.

“That interjection by the justice is not a negativity,” Mr Thompson said. “It really shows the resilience of the academy

that when she spoke, people called Dr Oriakhi and she was at her office, she came in and she sat right next to me in the panel, and we engaged in healthy discourse.” He added the matter only gained wider attention after footage circulated online. While there had been unease about Dr Blaine’s appointment,

Mr Thompson said the union’s relationship with the new president has been constructive. He emphasised that most faculty report to Dr Oriakhi and have not experienced the animosity some have suggested.

“I think people are mixing up the two things,” he said. “One, it is a lot of tension because of what’s happening with the

accreditation and aligning faculty with their programmes. That in itself, can be rather stressful. I really don’t have the time to assess or to analyze the relationship between Dr Blaine and his employees and staff. I am focused on relationship with Dr Blaine as it relate to my members, the faculty at the university, and that is going quite well.”

Davis: I helped both men’s campaigns behind the scenes while focusing on law

- both of whom I deeply respected - had opposed my nomination. They believed I should stay in the firm and out of politics,” Mr Davis said. At the time, the three were business partners in the law firm Christie, Ingraham & Co.

Davis said he stepped back from frontline politics to focus on law while working behind the scenes on campaigns for both men. He returned in 1991 when Sir Lynden urged him to step in for Cat Island, fought internal resistance and rallied support after again hearing the line, “Dey ain’ tell you?” “Just bring your people,” he said Sir Lynden told him, adding that he then secured the meetings list and mobilised backers.

Mr Davis framed the episodes as proof that politics is unpredictable and often

SPECULATION CONTINUES THAT PLP WANT S TO REPLACE MAJOR

WATSON from page one

Networks Ltd (BACSWAN) founder Robert Dupuch-Carron, who is eyeing MICAL; former PLP Senator Frank Smith; Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer; and Charles Sealy, the former Doctors Hospital chief executive.

Speculation persists that the PLP wants to replace current Southern Shores MP Leroy Major.

Member of the party’s constituency branch said there has been no official word from the party, leaving confusion on the ground. “The members feel that their opinions, and those of others in the constituency, do not matter regarding this issue, due to how their feelings did not matter in other situations and decisions come from the party line,” one member said.

Another member claimed residents have been approached and told Mr Major will not run again, adding that frustration is building.

Branch members are also divided on Mr Watson’s potential candidacy. Some support him out of loyalty to the organisation. Some believe Mr Major deserves another chance.

Several members criticised what they described as the PLP’s method of keeping quiet on renominations. “They want you to suffer in silence so they ain’t never say nothing publicly to cause a public outrage,” one member said. “Because if you was to come out and publicly say, alright, we are not running Mr Major no more, then you have to be accountable for your action. People going to ask you, well, why, right?”

Mr Watson could not be reached for comment.

unforgiving, arguing that persistence and purpose turn setbacks into stepping stones. He noted he entered Parliament as a backbencher, was widely tipped for Cabinet when the PLP returned in 2002 but Mr Christie denied him a position; he instead chaired the National Insurance Board.

Mr Davis noted that even after he rose within the party, advancement did not come easily. By 2009 he was elected deputy leader of the PLP with what he described as a “gentleman’s agreement” that he would eventually succeed Mr Christie as party leader. Instead, he remained in the deputy’s role until the PLP’s 2017 defeat, a stretch he said taught him resilience, patience, and the importance of staying true to his purpose even when the path to leadership seemed uncertain.

Pivoting to the party’s direction, Mr Davis said the

PLP was founded to serve, not to operate as a private club or insider circle, and he called for a recommitment to dignity, discipline and keeping promises to ordinary people. He said the leadership standard he expects is exacting: “Servant leadership is not soft. It is hard. It is raw. It is unglamorous. It means taking calls you don’t want to take. It means walking into rooms where you’re not welcome—and still doing the work. It means standing up when it would be easier to sit down and let someone else carry the load. It means telling the truth — especially when it costs you.”

He closed by telling PLP hopefuls to measure themselves by the trust they build, not by applause or titles: “Let us keep it,” he said. “Let us carry it with care. Let us make this party worthy of our people again. Let us be servants. And let us be leaders.”

Pintard marks FNM’s landmark 1992 election victory with thanksgiving service in Freeport

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard said the party’s landmark 1992 election victory was a transformational moment in Bahamian history, ushering in new freedoms, opportunities, and national development.

Speaking at a service of thanksgiving at New Life Worship Center to mark the anniversary of the FNM’s first win at the polls on August 19, 1992 - after 25 years in opposition - Mr Pintard urged Bahamians to build on that legacy with the same spirit of sacrifice and service, ensuring that opportunities are not confined to the privileged few.

Joined by his wife, Berlice, and daughter Michaela, the FNM leader credited former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and countless supporters who, he said, toiled for decades out of love for country despite repeated defeats. He stressed that the victory was not

about one individual but about the perseverance of men and women whose work laid the foundation for change.

Mr Pintard paid tribute to the party’s early leaders, including Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, the FNM’s founding leader, who died two years before the historic win. He said the 1992 triumph was more than a change in government—it represented a deepening of democracy and an expansion of opportunity.

He pointed to accomplishments of the period, including liberalising the airwaves to promote free expression, upgrading Family Island infrastructure, and fostering an environment where every Bahamian child could aspire to the nation’s highest offices. He said the reforms also emphasised equality and fairness: the right to own property, to be treated with dignity regardless of background, and to access opportunity without political favouritism.

While celebrating the milestone, Mr Pintard cautioned against

treating 1992 as a relic of the past. He said Bahamians must once again embrace unity, fairness, and service above self-interest. He contrasted the selfless spirit of that generation—willing to sacrifice ambition for the nation’s good—with today’s restlessness, noting that people now expect leaders who serve the entire country, regardless of race or political affiliation.

The FNM leader added that while governments change and policies evolve, what endures is work grounded in faith and the determination of Bahamians to create a just society. He said the party remains committed to advancing that vision and called on citizens to rededicate themselves to building what he described as “the best little country on this side of the world.”

A WOMAN was found dead in her Green Turtle Cay home on Saturday afternoon, police reported. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Seaview Lane, where they discovered an unresponsive Caucasian woman with an object around her neck.

A doctor later examined the body and pronounced her dead at the scene. Police said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

The discovery comes as authorities continue to raise concern about a rise in suicides across the country. According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s mid-year report, eight suicides were recorded between January and June this year, compared to five during the same period in 2024. Attempted suicides also increased from 23 to 32 cases. Five of the suicides occurred in New Providence, two in Grand Bahama, and one in the Family Islands. Men accounted for most of the deaths, while the two women recorded were both between 18 and 30 years old. Police said they are continuing investigations into Saturday’s incident.

Arawak Cay vendors say conditions at Fish Fry are driving tourists away

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

VENDORS at Arawak Cay say worsening conditions at the Fish Fry are driving away tourists and hurting business, citing heavy truck traffic, flooding, broken restrooms and years of government neglect.

They told The Tribune that despite repeated appeals, complaints have gone unanswered, leaving one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions in a state of disrepair.

Bar operator Al said heavy trucks cutting through the strip have long disrupted business, filling the air with dust and noise that drive customers away. He said he raised the issue with the vendor association but doubted any real action would come, adding: “It ain’t gonna be no better man, I got to the point now, ain’t nothing gonna be better around here.”

Restaurant manager Kenya Mitchell said the trucks create an unpleasant experience for diners sitting outdoors. Guests struggle to talk over the noise of horns and engines, she said, and many leave in frustration, choosing restaurants with indoor seating elsewhere. She added that the trucks cause traffic congestion and safety hazards, using Arawak Cay as a shortcut.

Another manager, Reka, called the trucks a danger to tourists. She recalled watching several race through the area on a Sunday, honking their horns, saying the government must act “ASAP, before someone really get hurt.” She added that tourists trying to cross the street are often forced to run as truck drivers fail to stop.

Others complained of poor communication from officials. Reka said vendors receive outdated letters every few months but “absolutely no kind of response from government and no kind of communication.”

Michelle Ferguson, who has worked at the Fish Fry since last October, described the truck traffic as relentless. She said the constant noise left

her “like one part of your ears is deaf” and argued the government should find alternate routes for heavy vehicles. Frustrated by inaction, she said she would not vote in the next election unless the problem is addressed.

Restaurant worker Alia Thompson said the trucks are unsafe and disruptive, deterring customers from sitting outside. She added that flooding is another persistent issue, with water sometimes rising onto patios, making it difficult for customers to enter stalls. She called for more drains to be installed.

Operators also highlighted poor restroom facilities, describing them as often unsanitary, out of order, or without basic supplies. “People have to share dirty hand sanitizer, no tissue when it is barely working, the tourists gotta go down there. That is a very bad [look] and people are paying their money,” one vendor said.

Others criticised aggressive solicitation, saying some operators harass tourists in front of restaurants they did not intend to visit, creating tension and a poor impression.

Photographs taken by The Tribune showed rainwater pooling outside restaurants and stalls, collecting around entryways and tables. In one restroom, urinals were covered with plastic bags, indicating they were out of service.

Vendors said the association meant to represent them has failed. One worker complained they never get meaningful opportunities to air their grievances, adding: “The only time I see them is when all them get over there and delegate by the police station and take they fancy picture with they nice tonics, when they come over here with the MPs them, that’s when they’re included.”

She added: “Remember us people, we low class, so when you feel like you have a little position, you high class, that’s how society works now and that’s how they operate. That’s the world. The Bahamas is high ranking in that. Not respecting their own.”

Over 1,000 BPL customers disconnected due to non-payment

Man bitten by shark in Abaco faces long road of rehabilitation after successful surgery

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

A 63-YEAR-OLD American man injured in a shark attack while spearfishing off Big Grand Cay, Abaco, last Sunday underwent emergency surgery and is now said to be in good spirits as he begins therapy.

Superintendent Steven Rolle confirmed that doctors repaired the man’s arteries and tendons after the August 17 incident.

He said the victim now faces a long rehabilitation.

Police said the attack happened shortly after 1pm while the man was spearfishing in waters near the cay. He was first treated at a local clinic before being airlifted to the United States for further medical care.

The Tribune understands medical teams at the Abaco clinic provided emergency stabilisation before the transfer.

Earlier this month, spear fisherman Mike Raich revealed how he narrowly escaped serious injury when a shark bite to his arm missed major nerves and arteries by inches. One of the shark’s teeth was even left embedded in his wound - a souvenir of a scary encounter for the US Marine veteran, 66, who was spear fishing off Spanish Cay when the shark bit the back of his left arm while he was bringing a fish to the surface.

In February, two American women were injured while swimming in Bimini Bay. That case, along with others across the region, prompted the United States State Department to warn travellers in March to exercise increased caution in Bahamian waters due to crime and shark encounters.

Data from the International Shark Attack

File shows fewer than 50 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide in 2024, below the ten-year average of about 70.

Even so, The Bahamas has historically ranked among the higher jurisdictions for recorded attacks, though experts stress they remain rare compared to the volume of visitors and marine activity.

A Bahamian marine expert recently calledd for stronger regulation and enforcement of marine tourism and fishing practices after a series of recent shark attacks in local waters.

Dr Ancilleno Davis, founder of Science & Perspective, a science education platform that explains ecological issues through a Bahamian lens, told The Tribune that such incidents are preventable and often stem from unsafe practices that remain unregulated.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribubemedia.net

MORE than 1,000 Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) customers are currently without electricity due to non-payment, the company has confirmed.

As of July 25, 2025, a total of 1,128 customers had been disconnected, the lowest figure recorded in the past seven months.

Data covering the period from January 25 to July 25 shows the highest number of disconnections occurred in March, when 2,683 customers were cut off. February recorded 2,426 disconnections, April 2,239, May 1,961, and June 1,252, indicating a steady decline from April through June. Meanwhile, residents

in Eleuthera, Cat Island, Abaco and Long Island will receive a 50 percent rebate on their next bills following repeated issues with power outages.

Earlier this month, BPL pledged it would not disconnect Eleuthera customers during the week of August for overdue bills, amid rising anger over frequent and prolonged outages. While acknowledging it is “common practice for the company to do so on past due accounts,” BPL told Tribune Business there would be no disconnection exercise on the island. Concerns had mounted after social media posts urged customers to clear their accounts ahead of a disconnection exercise that was believed to be scheduled for August 5 to 8.

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

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

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Following in the footsteps of our forebears in service to our country

WE ARE certain that when Leon Dupuch, the founder of this crusading media company, published his first “funny little sheet” on November 21st, 1903 he had no idea that he was setting out to build a Bahamian institution — one that has been in continuous publication for almost 125 years.

Yet that is what The Tribune has become. Despite facing off against seemingly insurmountable odds on account of a state sponsored campaign of victimization and intimidation spanning decades; not to mention the denial of work permits and my daughter-in-law’s permanent residency application being rejected by the former FNM Administration until the Department of Immigration received proof that this author was a ‘bona fide’ Bahamian, The Tribune has survived. And, in doing so, has won the admiration of its adversaries and opponents Simply put, by fearless determination we have fought for a free and independent press; given a ‘Voice to those who have no Voice’ when oppressed by injustice, discrimination, corruption or just bad government; helped in drafting the colony’s first self-governing constitution and brought about an end to racial discrimination in public places when my father, Sir Etienne, in the face of fierce opposition, introduced his ‘Anti-Discrimination’ resolution in Parliament on a stormy night in January 23, 1956. Today, The Tribune stands proud of its many social achievements in keeping with its unalienable founding motto of “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master.”

Some years back, former Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the Right Honourable Perry Christie, went on record to praise The Tribune’s many contributions to the growth and development of the country sharing how this funny little sheet became a “fearless voice of the people”.

That The Tribune has been able to win such approbation speaks well for the enduring integrity of this publication and its staff.

Former “Tribune Boy” Sir Orville Turnquest who became an distinguished barrister, Queen’s Counsel and later, Governor General, echoed such

sentiments in our special ‘Centenary Edition’ edition. “In its illustrious history, The Tribune has played a pivotal role at nearly every single stage of development in the Bahamas, particularly on the watches of the late Sir Etienne Dupuch and his daughter, Right Honourable Eileen Dupuch-Carron, CMG, “It cannot be disputed that this newspaper has contributed immeasurably to our Nation”. he added Sir Arthur Foulkes, another “Tribune Boy”, who was to become a Cabinet Minister in the first PLP government of Sir Lynden Pindling recalls his great admiration for Sir Etienne. “There was a mesmerizing rhythm in his writing,” he wrote. “Sometimes he would use his pen like a fencer uses a rapier to puncture the ego of some puffed up politician. Alternatively, Sir Etienne would use his words like a burly construction worker with a jack-hammer - an unrelenting staccato of blows to shatter the hardened attitudes of some block-headed bigot”.

However, this is not a time to stand on our laurels. Our nation is at a crossroads; facing a myriad of existential threats to its stability. If the past decade has not made one thing clear: we have allowed ourselves to become indentured servants to the OECD on the basis that foreigners someone know how best we should govern our affairs. In the same vein, let’s not forget how successive governments have turned a blind eye (a topic we shall return to) of foreign investors to developing such a carefree indifference to the terms of their Heads of Agreements that they use of millions of dollars in promotion board funds — despite showing scant regard for the prescribed levels of employment, maintenance and the purchase of local products that are enshrined therein. So, it should come as no surprise if another generation of the Dupuch-Carron family might wish to follow in the footsteps of their forebears. We only wish there would be more Bahamians willing to take the initiative - persons who are willing to step up and make decisions they believe to be in the best interests of the country, and not what they hope will benefit their own political futures.

PM must scrutinise nominees

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Prime Minister/President of any democratic nation has the option to hire, fire and/or reshuffle cabinet members, in his/her discretion. This is almost an automatic option and the ultimate ‘control lever’ which is wielded by national leaders. Apart from the stark possibility of being cast out of cabinet and the very public scrutiny which would follow, members of cabinet must also be aware of the fact that once thrown out into political darkness, their life in politics could be brought to an ignoble end.

Here in The Bahamas, since Independence in 1973 and, indeed, long before that, Prime Ministers have frequently required the voluntary or even forced resignation of ministers for any number of reasons, even though an explanation is mot constitutionally required. The late Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, God bless his soul, was a master at maintaining total control over his cabinet. At one now fabled National Convention of the PLP, Sir Lynden boldly challenged the late Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, then a powerful Minister of Works and high up on the totem pole of the PLP, to “fish; cut bait or get the hell out of the boat!” Sophie, as Sir Cecil was called (due to his alleged oratorical skills) et al, did just that on the floor of that convention.

Those events ushered in the in a new era in Bahamian politics. Fish; cut bait or get the hell out of the boat...echoes to this very day. Cabinet Ministers, by and large, often would have had no real life experience. Many of them would have been a run of the mill lawyer; an unknown medical doctor; accountant or a business person. Few of them

would have ever had to make a payroll or manage a medium to large scale business enterprises. In short, some are added to cabinet to make up the numbers and as a ‘reward’ to sycophants and bootlickers. In the majority of cases, few incoming PM would want to surround himself/herself with Cabinet colleagues who, at some point, could become a thorn in his/her side.

There comes a time, however, even when the most accommodating and “loyal” Prime Minister must come to the brutal realisation that a handful of his/her cabinet members simply cannot cut it and for the good of the party and the nation, not necessarily in that order, need to be jettison out of the inner sanctum.

Our current ordained Prime Minister, Philip “Brave” Davis, KC, MP (PLP-Cat Island) has a date with destiny on behalf of the people of this wonderful nation. His is the divine mandate to complete the original agenda and mission statement laid out in the initial charter of the Progressive Liberal Party. Much was accomplished under Sir Lynden’s watch. But there is much more work to be done if we, as a people, are to catch a glance of Heaven on Earth while we are yet alive. To successfully do this, the PM must now, at this critical juncture, make the hard decisions as to whether or not current Cabinet members are pulling their weight in this struggle or even, God forbid, if they know what the hell they are doing.

If I were Prime Minister there are four current Cabinet ministers whose performance or lack

thereof must be reviewed. While many are elected to Parliament, few are really competent, in my view, to hold the portfolios which they hold. Mr Davis is more than aware that his legacy will rest on the performance of his administration in critical areas to which I will not refer to at this juncture as I would Not wish to pre-empt the hand of PM Davis.

That handful of Cabinet members who have not/ are not effective where they are, should either be dismissed (gently if possible); reshuffled or even thrown to the political wolves as a token sacrifice. It is my hope that at the appropriate time that the PM and the second best national chairman that the PLP has ever been blessed to have (save and except for the late and deeply missed Bradley Roberts), Frederick Audley Mitchell (PLP-Fox Hill) will undertake a careful analyst of who should stay; who should be reshuffled and who simply need to make room for new blood. No one wants to take bread out of any Cabinet members mouths but the absolute necessity of a second consecutive term for this enlightened and progressive administration, with Brave at the helm, is non-negotiable. The PM has no time to waste when it comes to delivering all Bahamians over the proverbial Jordan and into The Promised Land. It is a sad indictment that after 52 long years of so called Independence that tens of thousands of unwashed Bahamians are still relegated to picking peas out of shaving cream, for want of a better expression. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, JR Nassau, August 13, 2025.

Police Commissioner renews call for new recruits with new application portal

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force is turning to a new online application system in a bid to tackle manpower shortages that have left officers overextended across the country.

Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles has renewed calls for more recruits, stating she could “guarantee a very good and successful career” for those who enlist.

She said all major islands and many cays have police stations that must be manned, but the current force is too small to provide consistent coverage.

“Just as the people in New Providence need to see the police on a 24-hour basis, so the people in

Ragged Island and so the people in Mayaguana should have the same kind of police coverage,” Commissioner Knowles said.

The portal opens tomorrow at 10am to Bahamians between 18 and 30 years old.

She added that the public has not fully felt the shortage because of the dedication of officers who continue to work extended hours. However, she has previously estimated that the force needs at least 2,000 more officers to properly police the country. Concerns about staffing levels within the RBPF are long-standing. Earlier

this year, Commissioner Knowles conceded that the force was stretched thin in both New Providence and across the Family Islands, where officers routinely work extended 12 to 24-hour shifts.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe has also described the shortage as a persistent issue, pointing earlier this year to a shortfall of about 900 officers when the Davis administration came to office in 2021.

He attributed the deficit to the previous administration’s failure to maintain consistent recruitment amid attrition from retirements, dismissals, resignations, and deaths.

A 2021 manpower audit conducted by the Ministry of National Security’s Research and Development Section revealed that the RBPF was not only understaffed at the constable level but also severely “topheavy” in its leadership ranks. The audit found that while the force had 837 constables, it needed at least 791 more to adequately protect Bahamians. At the same time, it had an excess of senior officers, with researchers concluding there was “no conceptual transfer of knowledge” occurring at the top levels to strengthen the organisation.

Newly formed Bahamas Pharmaceutical Union will focus exclusively on collective bargaining

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

PRESIDENT of the Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association (BPA), Dr Marvin Smith, stressed that the newly formed Bahamas Pharmaceutical Union (BPU) will operate separately from the professional body, with the union focused exclusively on collective bargaining.

Dr Smith said the BPA will continue its traditional role of advocacy, education, and professional representation, while the BPU was established as a legal entity to negotiate with government and private stakeholders.

“The aims and mandate of the association are professional representation for the profession,” he said.

“The aims and mandates for the union are collective

bargaining. There is no overlap.”

He explained that the association’s constitution and tax-exempt status prevent it from bargaining collectively, making the creation of a union the only viable path. “If we had attempted collective bargaining through the association, we would have been breaking our own constitution. That is why we had to form the union,” he said.

The push for collective bargaining dates back more than a decade, but Dr Smith said the introduction of National Health Insurance (NHI) made the need more urgent. Partnering with government to dispense medicines and monitor patients created new costs for pharmacies, he said, requiring an organised structure to ensure fair terms.

“The owners are in business. They have salaries to pay, vehicles to maintain, insurance and other costs,” he said. “It makes no sense for government to ask for services that would put us out of business, and it makes no sense for us to demand terms government cannot pay. The union is about finding that balance.”

The BPU launched with 17 registered entities, surpassing the threshold set by the Industrial Relations Act. Its constitution, officers, and membership list have been filed with the Department of Labour. Only registered entities have voting rights, though staff of those businesses automatically become members. Public sector pharmacies are excluded, but pharmacists and technicians may still join to voice concerns.

Dr Smith emphasised the

Man accused of having loaded gun and ammunition in his car

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail on Friday, accused of having a loaded gun in his car. Prosecutors allege that Sheridan Bartley, 21, was found with a black 9mm Taurus pistol and seven rounds of ammunition on August 18 in New Providence. Bartley was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition before Magistrate Lennox Coleby. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial will begin on December 2.

union’s approach will be collaborative rather than confrontational. “People think union means strike, but striking is always a last resort,” he said. “We are professionals. Our approach will be dialogue and partnership.”

He said the BPA will remain the profession’s legislative voice, pointing to its successful lobbying on the draft Medical Cannabis Bill as evidence. “It would be unthinkable for any government to bring legislation on pharmaceuticals to Parliament without talking to us,”

Bartley’s bail was set at $7,000 with one or two sureties. Under the terms of his bail, Bartley must sign in at Wulff Road Police Station every Monday through Friday by 7pm. He will also be fitted with a monitoring device.

Alphonso Lewis represented the accused.

MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON IN CUTLASS ATTACK

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail on Friday after he was accused of assaulting another man with a cutlass in Cat Island last week.

he said. “The association remains the body to advise on professional issues. The union comes in when there is a need to bargain.”

Dr Smith highlighted the rapid growth of pharmacy in The Bahamas, noting the number of pharmacies had nearly doubled in recent years, with distribution companies also expanding. A new local pharmacy degree programme is also being launched, which he called proof the profession is “maturing and moving to the next level.”

“This is the natural progression of pharmacy,” he said. “Doctors have associations and unions. Nurses have associations and unions. Now pharmacists do too.”

Speaking from the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists conference in Dominica, he said the new union had become a major regional talking point.

“Every country is coming up to us and asking us, how

did you all do this? It set the Caribbean pharmacists on fire, because many of them have been trying for years and could not get it done.”

Dr Smith stressed his motivation was professional sustainability rather than personal gain. “I do not own a pharmacy, I have no shares in one, and there is no money in this union,” he said. “Our dues are five dollars per entity to cover filings. Everything else is shared by members. My only role is to advocate.” He said the ultimate goal is to keep pharmacies stable for the long term. “This is about securing something that can be passed down to children and grandchildren,” he said. “It is about keeping pharmacies open and accessible so Bahamians do not suffer for lack of medicine. That is what both the association and the union, in their separate roles, are here to do.”

Immigration says more than 40 foreign nationals repatriated so far this month

T HE Department of Immigration confirmed yesterday that 41 foreign nationals were deported from New Providence during exercises carried out this month.

On Friday, one Cuban national was reportedly repatriated to Havana aboard a Bahamasair flight. In a statement, the department advised the operation was led by officers from the department’s Deportation Unit, with all security and health protocols observed.

Between August 16 and 21, a total of 40 migrants were also returned to their countries of origin.

This group included 35 Haitian nationals, one Colombian, one Rwandan and three Jamaicans. The department said it remains committed to upholding the laws of The Bahamas and encouraged the public to report suspected immigration violations by calling its hotline at (242) 604-0181 or (242) 604-0171/2.

Prosecutors allege that Jeremiah Smith, 58, assaulted Sam Stubbs in Orange Creek, Cat Island during a physical confrontation on August 20. Smith was charged with assault with a dangerous instrument and unlawfully carrying arms before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley. He pleaded not guilty and his bail was set at $4,000 with one or two sureties. Under the terms of his bail he must sign in at the Arthur’s Town Police Station. He was warned not to interfere with the complainant or any witnesses in this matter or risk his bail being revoked.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN awaiting trial for the 2021 murder of tenyear-old Kenron Dean was released on Friday after admitting breaching his bail.

Smith’s trial begins on September 22. Inspector Deon Barr was the prosecutor.

After Lee Evans, 27, pleaded guilty to violating his bail conditions, Senior Magistrate Kara Turnquest Deveaux released him on the breach for time already served in custody while awaiting his arraignment. His murder case remains before the Supreme Court. Evans, who failed to charge his monitoring device at 8pm on August 19, was arrested at his residence later that same day. He is accused of fatally shooting Kenron Dean on Finlayson Street and Bola Avenue on March 11, 2021. Three other men were also shot and injured during the incident.

Inspector Shadrach Coakley was the prosecutor.

MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2025

Where is the outrage?

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

SOMETIMES the most horrific thing about some of the news stories we see day in, day out is the lack of outrage about them.

Last week, there was a story about an alleged gang rape of a 14-year-old girl. Two men and one boy were charged, another was charged later, while police were reported to be hunting for others.

Thankfully, this is before a court of law and those accused – if guilty –can be held responsible. But the lack of outcry was telling. Have we become so accustomed to sex crimes against women and children that we are no longer horrified?

When I think of some of the things the Christian Council has chosen to speak out about in the past, it is remarkable that it regularly fails to speak out on issues such as

Have we become so accustomed to sex crimes against women and children that we are no longer horrifed?

these. When a forum was held at the University of The Bahamas by Pride Bahamas, the Christian Council sought to block that. It has weighed in on marijuana and gaming. It stayed silent this week. I do not wish to solely criticise the council, however, plenty of people remain silent in the face of some of the horrific cases that happen all too regularly. The Minister of Social Services, Myles

LaRoda, under whose remit falls the creation of shelters to offer some form of sanctuary from domestic violence, often appears to have taken a vow of silence on the subject, and certainly shows no inclination towards sharing information with the public on the progress of such protection. His counterpart, FNM Senator Maxine Seymour, did speak up. Rightly, as this case is still under way, it is the broader picture

that needs to be focused on – and as she said, “beyond the courtroom, we must confront the cultural and systemic issues that perpetuate abuse and undermine the safety of our children”.

She added: “The protection of our children is not optional; it is a sacred duty.

“There can be no compromise, no excuse, and no turning away. We must unite and fight relentlessly to safeguard our most treasured assets. The future of our country depends on it.”

All of that is true – and yet all of it is also false. It is correct that this is our duty – but it is also true that it is a duty that we too often ignore. She is right that this is how it should be, but the reality is that neglect and abuse and violence is all too common in our country.

In another story last week, Khandi Gibson, the founder of Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM), talked of a mother of four children trying desperately to get help, who felt driven to the point of no return, considering suicide.

Tellingly, Ms Gibson told The Tribune, the woman said: “Miss I try everybody, but nobody will help me.”

Nobody. That too often is the reality in our country.

Meanwhile, Mr Laroda, called on to give answers about the status of shelters being built by the country, chooses to get into sulky sparring matches with Mrs Seymour rather than delivering details on cost, capacity, construction deadlines and details on access.

When it comes specifically to children, helping them is just simply for starters the right thing to do. We should not need more than that – but if we did, then we also ought to recognise that stopping children from being exposed to violence, either as victims or witnesses, is a way to end the cycle of violence that our country continues to see and which is reflected in the cases of sex attacks in our courts and murders on our streets.

The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors such activities globally – it is not just us. Beyond the immediate impact of any given crime – the deaths, the injuries, the unintended pregnancies, the spread of sexually transmitted infections –there is a broader impact too.

The WHO warns at a societal level of the danger of creating a climate in which violence is normalised. It points out the broken bonds between children and parents. It highlights the

family dysfunction and separation.

But the WHO also points out that violence against children can be prevented. Its seven-step plan calls for enforcement of laws (such as banning corporal punishment and restricting access to alcohol), pushing to change values that condone sexual abuse or aggressive behaviour by boys, working to create safe environments, supporting parents, improving people’s income, providing proper response services such as emergency care and psychological support, and providing education.

A couple of those stand out as being different from the rest – improving income and providing education. Violence and abuse is by no means limited to people who live in poverty or who have less access to education – but each of those can magnify the risk. Living in poverty is an extra stress – it is no excuse but people on the brink can sometimes be pushed too far. As for education, as simple as it may sound, people sometimes need to learn that something is wrong.

If you are in that situation, every day, it seems normal if one member of the family constantly strikes another. It can be a revelation to victims, and

a first step towards safety and justice, that such behaviour is not normal, and that it is criminal.

On a personal level, I have known of a case where a young girl confessed to a friend that a family member was touching her in ways that made her uncomfortable. This came about because of discussions in school about what was appropriate – and what was not appropriate. Education can be key to making victims realise that this is not right.

One of the saddest things is that the case I mentioned at the start of this article – and of course the innocence or guilt of those accused needs to be determined – may have me wondering where is the outrage, but almost any other week it seems there are other horrific cases that could have prompted the same call.

Too often we hear stories of sex assaults, rapes of underage victims, incest and more.

Fundamentally as a nation, we need to reject any thought that this is normal. It is not. The vile human beings that commit these crimes are hurting our women, they are hurting our children, they are hurting our country. The victims in these crimes should not be the only ones crying out “No!”

Make ‘Haitian-led’ mean something

THE Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, has proposed a Road Map for Haiti. It is ambitious, detailed, and promising if adequately owned by Haitians. But plans don’t save people; action, commitment, and accountability do. Haitians must set priorities, approve budgets, and be accountable to their citizens and the international community for results.

Ramdin deserves credit for taking a frontal, active position on Haiti. He has put a framework on the table and invited OAS Member States, Permanent Observers, and Inter-American institutions to help shape it. That is leadership. If others join the momentum he has initiated, this plan can move from paper to practice.

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

A crisis that can’t wait for perfect Haiti is living through the hemisphere’s severest security and governance breakdown. Armed gangs dominate much of Portau-Prince; hundreds of thousands are displaced; schools, clinics, water, food—everything is frayed. Women and girls face the brunt of this crisis. Gang rape is rampant, particularly in the capital, and is exacerbated by precarious conditions in displacement camps. The plea is simple and urgent: act now.

What the Road Map gets right and the help it needs

The Road Map acknowledges that the United Nations must lead on peace and security; the OAS should facilitate, convene, and provide targeted civilian support. It casts the Government of Haiti as owner and agenda-setter, with a Coordinating Group Mechanism (CGM)—Haiti, the UN, CARICOM, and the OAS—providing strategic direction and political oversight. That architecture is sound—if “Haitian-led” is operationalised as

Haitian decision rights, not just attendance.

Security financing is the plan’s roadblock. The Multinational Security Support mission runs on voluntary contributions, and deployment has lagged. A UN support office has been proposed to improve logistics, but until predictable money and machinery exist, timelines will slip—and so will confidence.

The Haitian test: ownership as control Ownership must be matched by decision authority. Three practical safeguards would make that real, as the Antigua and Barbuda delegation argued to the OAS Permanent Council on August 20.

First, Haiti should chair— or at least co-chair—the Coordinating Group. No pillar workplan, budget, or major procurement should proceed without Haitian

concurrence recorded in the minutes, with an emergency-only exception and prompt written notice after any action. This ensures that no one can claim the Road Map was imposed.

Second, a Haitian-issued annual implementation plan should become the map to which donors align. If Haitians cannot say, “This is our plan,” then it isn’t.

Third, billions of dollars have been spent on Haiti over decades, yet donors have not seen commensurate social and economic improvements. Scepticism is natural; accountability is essential. Therefore, the Road Map should include a public scorecard. Quarterly results issued by Haitian authorities—tracking security, governance, humanitarian access, and the fight against gun-running and criminal finance—would provide assurance and accountability.

These safeguards turn “Haitian-led” from words into decisions.

CARICOM’s role

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has tried to play a role in Haiti to the extent of its Member States’ collective capacity. The CARICOM Eminent Persons Group (EPG) helped broker the current transitional arrangements, which have not been without criticism. Ramdin’s Road Map envisages a role for CARICOM in the CGM, but CARICOM has yet to review the plan collectively; it was recently submitted to Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, as CARICOM Chair. CARICOM should ensure its role reinforces Haitian consensus-building and decision-making when it engages.

Money talks. Make it speak plainly

The Road Map’s price tag—about US$2.6 billion—is hefty. Guardrails must give donors confidence. These should include predictable security support through a UN-managed platform with clear modalities, drawing on voluntary and bilateral funds—not a scatter of ad hoc pledges. Before any donors’ conference, there should also be pre-pledged packages for humanitarian action and elections; the conference can then align mediumand longer-term projects to the Haitian plan. Significantly, each country should contribute according to real capacity, not quotas

or expectations. Finally, to attract funding, the budget and unit costs should be published, and funds should be released in tranches only when verified security, governance, and access benchmarks are met.

The calendar cliff:

7 February 2026

One date could undo everything. Haiti will hit a governance barrier if a lawful successor to the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) is not in place by 7 February 2026. Security coordination will stall, election preparation will drift, and dissatisfaction and dissension will grow. There is already growing concern in Haiti that the deadline must not arrive with the unelected TPC still in place.

As contingency planning, a last-resort mechanism should be prepared by the end of September 2025 to replace the TPC if elections cannot credibly be held to install a representative government. It is now evident that no such elections can occur while gangs dominate daily life.

The contingency should be formulated jointly by appointees of Haitian representative groups, CARICOM, the UN, and the OAS, and noted by the OAS Permanent Council. It should provide a 90-day “caretaker body” limited to essential functions: security coordination, humanitarian facilitation, and election preparations.

The measure of solidarity

There’s a cruel belief that Haiti’s suffering is inevitable. It isn’t. Haitians are a proud people despite the poverty of their country and the grinding conditions they endure.

The OAS Secretary-General’s proposed Road Map can help—if the funding is real, the security support is predictable, and Haitian leadership is committed and at the decision-making table.

The plan is not perfect, but it offers a tunnel with a light at its end. Haitians and the international community should help refine, support, and implement it. No one should become immune to Haiti’s horrors.

The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, and Dean of the OAS Ambassadors accredited to the OAS. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

Epst Ein’s formEr girlfriEnd told JusticE dEpartmEnt

By ERIC TUCKER, MICHAEL R. SISAK and ALANNA

DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

JEFFREY Epstein’s imprisoned former girlfriend repeatedly denied to the Justice Department witnessing any sexually inappropriate interactions with Donald Trump, according to records released Friday meant to distance the Republican president from the disgraced financier.

The Trump administration issued transcripts from interviews that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted with Ghislaine Maxwell last month as the administration was scrambling to present itself as transparent amid a fierce backlash over an earlier refusal to disclose a trove of records from the sex-trafficking case.

The records show Maxwell repeatedly showering Trump with praise and denying under questioning from Blanche that she had observed Trump engaged in any form of sexual behaviour. The administration was presumably eager to make such denials public at a time when the president has faced questions about a long-ago friendship with Epstein and as his administration has endured continued scrutiny

over its handling of evidence from the case.

The transcript release represents the latest Trump administration effort to repair self-inflicted political wounds after failing to deliver on expectations that its own officials had created through conspiracy theories and bold pronouncements that never came to pass.

By making public two days worth of interviews, officials appear to be hoping to at least temporarily keep at bay sustained anger from Trump’s base as they send Congress evidence they had previously kept from view.

After her interview with Blanche, Maxwell was moved from the low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas to continue serving a 20-year sentence for her 2021 conviction on allegations that she lured teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. Her trial featured sordid accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14 told by four women who described being abused as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epstein’s homes. Neither Maxwell’s lawyers nor the federal Bureau of Prisons have explained the reason for the move, but one of her lawyers, David Oscar Markus, said in a social media post Friday that Maxwell was “innocent

and never should have been tried, much less convicted.”

‘Never inappropriate’

“I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting,” Maxwell said, according to the transcript. “I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.”

Maxwell recalled knowing about Trump and possibly meeting him for the first time in 1990, when her newspaper magnate father, Robert Maxwell, was the owner of the New York Daily News. She said she

had been to Trump’s Mar-aLago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, sometimes alone, but hadn’t seen Trump since the mid-2000s.

Asked if she ever heard Epstein or anyone else say Trump “had done anything inappropriate with masseuses” or anyone else in their orbit, Maxwell replied, “Absolutely never, in any context.”

Maxwell was interviewed over the course of two days last month by Blanche at a Florida courthouse. She was given limited immunity, allowing her to speak freely without fear of prosecution for anything she said except for in the event of a false statement.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department on Friday began sending to the House Oversight Committee records from the investigation that the panel says it intends to make public after removing victim’s information.

High-profile contacts

The case had long captured public attention in part because of the wealthy financier’s social connections over the years to prominent figures, including Prince Andrew, former President Bill Clinton and Trump, who has said he had a falling-out with Epstein years ago and well before Epstein came under investigation.

Maxwell told Blanche that Clinton was initially her friend, not Epstein’s, and that she never saw him receive a massage — nor

did she believe he ever did.

The only times they were together, she said, were the two dozen or so times they travelled on Epstein’s plane.

“That would’ve been the only time that I think that President Clinton could have even received a massage,” Maxwell said. “And he didn’t, because I was there.”

She also spoke glowingly of Britain’s Prince Andrew and dismissed as “rubbish” the late Virginia Giuffre’s claim that she was paid to have a relationship with Andrew and that he had sex with her at Maxwell’s London home.

Maxwell sought to distance herself from Epstein’s conduct, repeatedly denying allegations made during her trial about her role. Though she acknowledged that at one point Epstein began preferring younger women, she insisted she never understood that to “encompass children.”

“I did see from when I met him, he was involved or -- involved or friends with or whatever, however you want to characterize it, with women who were in their 20s,” she told Blanche. “And then the slide to, you know, 18 or younger looking women. But I never considered that this would encompass criminal behaviour.”

Epstein was arrested in 2019 on sex-trafficking charges, accused of sexually abusing dozens of teenage girls, and was found dead a month later in a New York jail cell in what investigators described as a suicide.

A story that’s consumed the Justice Department

The saga has consumed the Trump administration following a two-page announcement from the FBI and Justice Department last month that Epstein had killed himself despite conspiracy theories to the contrary, that a “client list” that Attorney General Pam Bondi had intimated was on her desk did not actually exist, and that no additional documents from the highprofile investigation were suitable to be released.

The announcement produced outrage from conspiracy theorists, online

sleuths and Trump supporters who had been hoping to see proof of a government coverup. That expectation was driven in part by comments from officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who on podcasts before taking their current positions had repeatedly promoted the idea that damaging details about prominent people were being withheld.

Patel, for instance, said in at least one podcast interview before becoming director that Epstein’s “black book” was under the “direct control of the director of the FBI.”

The administration had an early stumble in February when far-right influencers were invited to the White House in February and provided by Bondi with binders marked “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” and “Declassified” that contained documents that had largely already been in the public domain.

After the first release fell flat, Bondi said officials were poring over a “truckload” of previously withheld evidence she said had been handed over by the FBI and raised expectations of forthcoming releases. But after a weekslong review of evidence in the government’s possession, the Justice Department determined that no “further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.”

The department noted that much of the material was placed under seal by a court to protect victims and “only a fraction” of it “would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial.”

Faced with fury from his base, Trump sought to quickly turn the page, shutting down questioning of Bondi about Epstein at a White House Cabinet meeting and deriding as “weaklings” supporters who he said were falling for the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.”

The Justice Department has responded to a subpoena from House lawmakers by pledging to turn over information.

By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN Associated Press

AT LEAST 76 hostages, including children, have been freed after Nigeria’s military targeted militants with precision airstrikes in the country’s northwest, local authorities said.

The airstrikes were launched on targets around Pauwa Hill, located in the Kankara area of Katsina state, in the early hours of Saturday, Nasir Mu’azu, the state’s commissioner for internal security, said in a statement. The air assault was launched in a manhunt for a notorious kidnapper.

The rescued hostages include some of those kidnapped during an attack on a mosque in Unguwan

Mantau that led to the death of at least 50 people, the commissioner said.

“However, it was regrettably noted that one child tragically lost his life during the ordeal,” Mu’azu said.

In recent months, there has been an uptick in attacks on communities in the northwest and northcentral regions of Africa’s most populous country, where farmers often clash over limited access to land and water. An attack last month in north-central Nigeria killed 150 people.

The conflict has become deadlier in recent years, with authorities and analysts warning that more herdsmen are taking up more sophisticated arms.

The commissioner said the air assault is “part of

a broader strategy to dismantle criminal hideouts, weaken their networks and put an end to the cycle of killings, kidnappings, and extortion that have plagued innocent citizens.”

The West African country is also dealing with an insurgency in its northeast region that has resulted in the death of around 35,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 2 million others, according to the United Nations. Also on Saturday, separate airstrikes in the northwest of Nigeria killed 35 militants in a targeted attack.

Despite the efforts by the government of President Bola Tinubu to curb jihadi attacks, the militancy has persisted.

ON AUGUST 14 2025, the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Authority in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs installed signage on designated emergency hurricane shelters across the island of Grand Bahama. This effort is intended to clearly identify shelter locations and enhance public preparedness during the ongoing hurricane season. Review the 2025 Official Hurricane Shelter List for Grand Bahama to locate the designated shelter in their area available at: https:// getready.gov.bs/wp-content/ uploads/2025/05/2025-Hurricane-Shelter-List-DIR-20052025. pdf.

Photos: Andrew Miller/BIS

Campbell Cares Back-to-School Bash