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‘ZNS bo muS

FNM calls Watson’s bid to enter frontline politics while broadcaster GM ‘an egregious violation of ethics’

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman

Dr Duane Sands yesterday demanded the resignation of ZNS General Manager Clint Watson, calling his pursuit of frontline politics while running the state broadcaster “an egregious violation of ethics.”

Dr Sands said Mr Watson’s open bid for the Progressive Liberal Party’s Southern Shores nomination raises serious questions of fairness and breaches the spirit of the General Orders, which govern the conduct of public officers.

General Orders divides public officers into three categories. Those in the “politically restricted” group — typically senior officials or officers in sensitive posts — are barred outright from political activity. Others in an “intermediate” group may take part in political affairs only with formal approval and under strict conditions, while the “politically free” group may participate more fully, provided it

Police suspect inside job in murder of gang leader ‘Monster’

RESIGN - SEE pagE FouR

POLICE suspect the murder of alleged gang boss Duran “Monster” Neely was an inside job, carried out by members of his own organisation rather than a rival group.

The Tribune understands that investigators believe Neely, 37, had a falling out with figures in the Dirty South gang, and that his killers appeared to have

inside knowledge of his movements on the night he died.

Authorities said Neely had long managed to stay one step ahead of the law, a feat they believe was made possible by corruption within the system, whether in the police force or the courts.

INSIDE Jo B - SEE pagE FouR

Judge’s ‘strong message’ with 35 year sentence

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court judge yesterday sentenced a man to 35 years in prison for murder, stressing that a strong message must be sent in a society where

domestic disputes too often turn violent.

Justice Dale Fitzpatrick told Franco Ferguson the courts see far too many domestic conflicts escalate into assaults and killings. “It is a regular occurrence

Mother of newborn breaks down as jail deferral denied

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

go straight to jail Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hilton rejected pleas for compassion, ruling there were no exceptional circumstances to justify a deferral for Ashanti Johnson so she could continue SENTENCE - SEE pagE T

THE MOTHER of a newborn baby broke down in tears yesterday as a judge rejected pleas to defer her sentence for vehicular manslaughter - saying she must

Celebration Key partners with loC al first responders for emergenC y preparedness

CELEBRATION Key has partnered with local first responders to strengthen emergency readiness at Carnival Corporation’s new $600m cruise port in East Grand Bahama.

The training efforts come as the destination, which opened last month, has already seen thousands of daily visitors — and two recent drowning incidents involving American cruise passengers.

The Celebration Key Fire Response Team recently completed two joint training exercises with the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Grand Bahama Fire Services Department. The sessions, held in July and August, featured classroom instruction and hands-on drills covering fire science, hose handling, fire truck operations, and advanced firefighting techniques.

“This collaborative effort not only sharpened our response capabilities but also strengthened our partnership with local emergency services,” said Garelle Hudson, Health, Environmental, Safety and Sustainability (HESS) manager for Celebration Key. “We’re grateful to

the Grand Bahama Fire Services for sharing their expertise. Our fire response team is now better equipped to manage any fire-related threats we may encounter in our day-to-day operations.”

The training series will conclude with a third exercise in September. Grand Bahama Fire Services Administrative Sergeant Narron Rolle praised the effort, noting: “Celebration Key is a major project for Grand Bahama, with thousands of guests and local service providers to keep safe. We commend Carnival Corporation and Celebration Key for their proactive approach to fire safety.”

Police said a 79-year-old American man drowned last Friday while snorkelling off the beach, followed shortly by the death of a 74-yearold American woman who drowned while swimming in a pool. Carnival confirmed both incidents, saying lifeguards and medical teams responded immediately but were unable to save the passengers.

About 700 Bahamians are employed at Celebration Key, including 400 hired directly by Carnival.

Charred remains all that’s left after Abaco blaze that claimed teen’s life

‘Blue’ Johnson says supporters will make their presence felt at FNM ratification tonight

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement is expected to ratify candidates for at least six constituencies tonight, including Fort Charlotte, Tall Pines, Sea Breeze, Freetown, Killarney, and St Barnabas, according to a party source.

Entrepreneur Lincoln Deal is expected to be the pick for Freetown, though he declined to comment yesterday. Mr Deal was previously eyeing Killarney, but that nomination is expected to go to Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis.

Andrew “Blue” Johnson, another aspirant for Freetown, said the party has not informed him of any decision.

“I have not gotten a call to say that I am the candidate and heard Mr Deal will possibly be chosen,” Mr Johnson said yesterday. “I know they’re in a dilemma, because they’re trying to find somewhere for the young fellow because he was not given the Killarney seat what he was trying for.”

He suggested his independence within the party might be working against him.

“What I’ve heard is that I may be a person that you can’t dictate or control,” he said. “What I’m hearing is that I am the perfect candidate for Freetown, but there are a few that feels they want their man, and there are others who disagree, but it’s overwritten so to speak.”

Mr Johnson said he respects party rules but will always speak out when necessary.

He added that his supporters

intend to make their presence felt at tonight’s ratification.

“The people want to show support and show the FNM the people says who they want,” he said. “The residents of Freetown is telling the FNM who they want and it’s time for these political parties to listen to the people. They are coming only in support of Andrew “Blue” Johnson in numbers, we are peaceful, but we want Andrew Blue Johnson.”

In June, the FNM ratified 17 candidates during a rally-style event at the party’s headquarters on Mackey Street.

Among those ratified were Dr Jacqueline Penn-Knowles (Marathon), Dr Nicholas Fox (Fox Hill), Debra MoxeyRolle (The Exumas and Ragged Island), Omar Isaacs (West Grand Bahama and Bimini), Philippa Kelly (Central and South Eleuthera), and Brian Brown (Golden Isles), a British Empire Medal recipient.

Incumbents Kwasi Thompson (East Grand Bahama) and Adrian White (St Anne’s) were also ratified.

Former MPs from the Minnis administration who are re-entering the political fray include: Michael Foulkes (Golden Gates), Marvin Dames (Mount Moriah), Carlton Bowleg (North Andros and the Berry Islands), Elsworth Johnson (Yamacraw), and Rickey Mackey (North Eleuthera). Senator Darren Henfield, who previously represented North Abaco, will now run in South Beach.

Judge: Sending message that we don’t solve domestic issues with violence

SENTENCE from page one

in this society where domestic issues are addressed with hands, fists, knives, and guns,” he said. “There does need to be a message — to you, sir, but also to the public generally — that we don’t solve domestic issues with violence.” Ferguson appeared before Justice Fitzpatrick yesterday as the court weighed aggravating and mitigating factors before sentencing.

Prosecutors said on the night of September 11, 2020, Ferguson went to the Claridge Road apartment of his ex-girlfriend, Adriana Hamilton, where he confronted Charles Demeritte. The altercation turned

violent, with Ferguson arming himself with a knife and stabbing Demeritte to death. Witnesses testified to the attack, and a jury later rejected Ferguson’s claim of self-defence, convicting him of murder.

In determining the sentence, Justice Fitzpatrick applied the Larry Jones guideline, which sets the range for murder

convictions at 30 to 60 years when life imprisonment is not imposed. The judge acknowledged Ferguson’s clean record, cooperation with police, and his apology to Demeritte’s family, but said the domestic context of the killing and the presence of Ferguson’s young daughter during the incident weighed heavily against him. He described the risk of trauma to the child as “of concern to the court.”

“In my view, the fit and appropriate sentence in these circumstances is 35 years,” Justice Fitzpatrick ruled, ordering that the term be calculated from the date of conviction.

During the hearing, Ferguson, who identified himself as a Rastafarian, objected to prison officers cutting his dreadlocks. Justice Fitzpatrick cited earlier rulings protecting inmates’ religious rights and said Ferguson’s hair would not be cut unless the matter is settled by a higher court.

The case was adjourned to Friday morning for further submissions on the Rastafarian rights issue.

Judge rules ‘no exceptional circumstances to Justify a deferral’ in mom’s sentencing

Sands: PM’s confirmation of Watson’s aspirations just makes matters worse

RESIGN from page one

does not interfere with their duties.

The rules define political activity broadly, including canvassing, speaking at political meetings, publishing material to promote a party, or publicly indicating support for a candidate. General Orders also mandates that any public officer formally nominated for election must immediately resign.

Mr Watson’s attendance at the PLP’s aspirants’ module last weekend has fuelled debate over whether such a move qualifies as political activity for someone in his position.

Some argue his role as general manager of ZNS makes him subject to the restrictions, while others contend resignation is only required if and when he is officially nominated.

“The national broadcast station, funded by the Bahamian taxpayer, cannot be allowed to double as a political launching pad for the governing party,” Dr Sands said. “The Prime Minister’s confirmation of Mr Watson’s political

ambitions only makes matters worse. It is impossible to maintain even the appearance of fairness when the head of the national news is simultaneously preparing to run on a PLP ticket.”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis did not confirm whether Mr Watson will be ratified as the PLP’s candidate for Southern Shores, but said Tuesday: “He’s expressed interest for running for quite some time.”

Mr Watson was among several hopefuls who attended the PLP’s candidate module, along with businessman Sebas Bastian, Tribune president Robert Dupuch-Carron, former Senator Frank Smith, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer, and former Doctors Hospital chief executive Charles Sealy.

Dr Sands insisted that to preserve public trust and the credibility of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, Mr Watson should step down immediately. Mr Watson has not responded to calls seeking comment.

Neely believed to have had falling out with Dirty South gang members

MOTHER from page one INSIDE JOB from page one

nursing the child.

She was sentenced to a six-month custodial sentence for causing death by dangerous driving in a traffic accident on Queen’s Highway, Eleuthera, that killed her passenger Kendrick Moss. She crashed into a wall and a tree.

Defence attorney Wellington Orlander urged the court to defer her sentence for nine months so Johnson could continue breastfeeding her infant, stressing the importance of the sixmonth nursing period.

Co-counsel Jairam Mangra argued that separating Johnson from her child at such an early stage would deprive the infant of essential nourishment, citing the American Pediatric Association’s recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.

Counsel also appealed to the court’s sense of mercy,

quoting Shakespeare in urging the judge to exercise “the milk of human kindness.” Prosecutors Zandrel Bain and Betty Wilson, of the Department of Public Prosecutions, opposed the request, insisting Johnson should begin serving her sentence for vehicular manslaughter immediately.

Johnson was formally sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $10,000 in compensation to the deceased’s estate by August 2027. She was taken into custody by Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers following the hearing.

Johnson originally faced a possible nine-month sentence, but her custodial term was reduced to six months before yesterday’s hearing. Her attorney has signalled an intention to appeal. Justice Hilton noted, however, that the matter has concluded in the Supreme Court.

The Dirty South gang is thought to have more than 100 members, making it one of the largest gangs in New Providence. Neely was regarded as its head and, for years, a shadowy figure in the criminal underworld, often described as a “ghost” because he was rarely directly tied to the violence he was suspected of directing.

He was gunned down Monday night in what police believe was a planned hit. Investigators said a truck ran him off the road before several gunmen opened fire, leaving him dead beside a grey Chevrolet Colorado. A white Dodge Ram was later found engulfed in flames nearby.

Neely’s criminal history included charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, but none led to convictions. He was twice arrested in late 2015 and early 2016 but released without charge, later suing the Attorney General for unlawful arrest and detention. In September 2023, the Supreme Court awarded him $26,000 in damages. Before entering frontline politics, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, KC, was among the lawyers who represented him.

His killing has heightened security concerns, with fears of possible retaliation. A voice note circulated on social media after his death captured inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services celebrating. Prison Commissioner Doan Cleare said security at the facility has been stepped up.

Proposal seeks to limit students to four year ‘duration of status’ in US

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN students would be limited to a fouryear stay in the United States under a proposal to end “duration of status” admissions for foreigners.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require F-1 academic students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I-1 foreign media representatives to be admitted for fixed periods rather than for the duration of their programmes.

The move is part of President’s Trump continued crackdown on national security and immigration enforcement concerns linked to the existing system.

The rule, set to be published in the US Federal Register today, would remove all references to “duration of status” from immigration regulations. Instead, students would receive admission for the length of their course of study, up to a maximum of four years, and would need to apply for an extension if more time is required. Exchange visitors would face similar limits, while representatives of foreign media would be admitted for 240 days.

The proposal also shortens the post-study grace period for F-1

students from 60 days to 30. Other changes include restrictions on changing educational levels or programmes, automatic extensions of employment under certain

conditions, and new procedures for requesting additional time in the United States. DHS said the change is meant to strengthen oversight of non-immigrant

visa holders, citing cases where people remained in the country for decades by moving between programmes without ever applying for an extension of stay.

According to DHS estimates, the rule would impose annualised costs of about US$390m to US$392m over ten years, including expenses for students and schools.

Public comments on the proposal will be accepted for 30 days after its publication. Comments on its information collection requirements will be accepted for 60 days.

HANNA-MARTIN: WE’RE WORKING TO RESOLVE SENIOR SCHOOLS OFFICIALS ISSUES

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Minis-

ter Glenys Hanna Martin said officials are working urgently to resolve a standoff with principals and other senior education officers who have withdrawn their labour, stressing that schools must open uninterrupted next week.

Her comments followed the Bahamas Educators Managerial Union’s (BEMU) decision to remain off the job until the Ministry of Education addresses longstanding concerns, including allowances and promotions.

“The only thing I would

say about that is that we want to work to resolve it,” Mrs Hanna Martin said. “We value our administrators. They are leaders on the school campuses and elsewhere. They’re leaders. So we want to get past the impasse and get back on track so we can start delivering education without interruption. I mean, post pandemic, it’s critical, you know, so we need to iron out the issues and get everything back on track.”

Education Director Dominique Russell said contingency plans exist in case the dispute drags into next week, but she emphasised officials are focused on reaching a settlement.

“We’re going to do our best based on the environment that we are in,” she said. “Like I said, all of my team members, the team members in the Ministry of Education, are working to resolve these issues, and we did say that we will meet with BEMU on Friday to give an update as to where we are with these matters. So we are hoping that our team members will see the that we are working in good faith, and that as a result of that, they will ensure that they are.”

BEMU, which represents about 490 members, secured a strike certificate in May 2024. The union represents principals, vice principals,

assistant directors of education, and senior education officers.

Union leaders said they hope significant progress will be made before schools reopen on Monday, insisting none of their demands are unreasonable.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Getting rid of fossil fuels is really hard

IF miners, the media, policymakers and renewable energy companies are to be believed, Australia is in the midst of a green energy transition aimed at preventing the worst effects of climate change.

This appealing narrative suggests we are progressively reducing greenhouse emissions by replacing fossil fuels with clean alternatives such as wind and solar power, batteries and electric vehicles.

But there’s a real problem in accepting this idea without question. To date, the green energy transition has largely added more energy to the mix, rather than actually replacing fossil fuels. In other words, our decarbonization is yet to begin in earnest.

For countries with a laser focus on economic growth such as Australia, this means shifting away from fossil fuels is particularly challenging. Growth and fossil fuel use have long been linked.

As one of the world’s top three liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, Australia exports much of the problem. Tackling climate change would mean picking a fight with powerful industries that have dominated Australia’s economy and politics for decades.

Confronting the true scale of the decarbonization challenge is daunting. We need to challenge fossil fuel interests in politics and consider whether continual economic growth can ever be compatible with climate stability.

For at least two decades in Australia, much effort has gone towards making the green energy transition a reality. Solar panels are now on a third of Australian houses, while wind farms and large-scale solar funnel ever more energy into power grids, reaching new heights of 43% in the main grid this year. Electric vehicles are becoming more common on Australian roads, and the production of green steel is nascent but promising.

Australia’s direct emissions are slowly beginning to fall, due mainly to changes in land uses and, more recently, to renewables replacing coal plants. The latest figures show a 1.4% drop over the past year. But if the emissions of Australian gas and coal burned overseas are considered, Australia’s emissions would still be rising.

Positive trends foster assumptions that less and less fossil fuels will need to be burned.

This, however, isn’t guaranteed. Energy historians have pointed out new forms of energy don’t necessarily replace the older ones. Instead, they are getting added to the mix.

The world economy now uses more wood, coal, oil and gas than ever before. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions are still rising as fossil fuels continue to be used alongside renewables.

Energy use, carbon dioxide emissions and economic growth have long gone hand in hand. While some richer countries are managing to decouple economic growth from carbon emissions, these countries often effectively export emissions to poorer nations. It’s proving far harder to make absolute emissions cuts while still growing the economy.

In economics, it’s long been believed that energy consumption is determined by how fast an economy is growing.

Energy economists have since learned the opposite may be true: that only when

energy is available, economic growth follows. When new energy sources emerge, they will be used to build more, drive technological change and other economic activities.

While green growth advocates hope new technology will make it possible to keep expanding the economy at minimal environmental cost, these hopes are misplaced.

In theory, renewable energy resources are near-infinite. If the world ran on 100% renewables, continual economic growth might be possible. But adding renewable energy to the mix while we exploit all available carbon-based energy won’t be enough to stop climate change or save species from extinction.

The way we think about the economy has to change from a focus on infinite growth to a restorative approach.

China’s recent success in stabilising emissions through very rapid renewable energy deployment suggests low-carbon development is still possible. But even this historic effort may not be enough to make the rapid, deep emission cuts needed to stave off the worst of climate change. China’s decades-long focus on economic growth has come at huge cost to its environment more broadly.

China’s massive renewables expansion was possible only because its government has actively pursued decarbonization as a national priority, alongside building clean energy industries.

It’s a different story in Australia.

While the nation has taken up solar at world-beating speed, successive governments have also worked to rapidly expand the LNG industry and keep coal alive.

From the Howard era onward, fossil fuel lobbyists have fought against the adoption of strong emissions targets, downplayed the urgency of climate action, and worked to stop measures such as the short-lived carbon price.

It seems unthinkable for an Australian government to deny a fossil fuel producer anything. Federal approval for Woodside’s giant North West Shelf project to continue is only the latest example of a political system unable to make the changes necessary to meaningfully cut emissions.

It doesn’t have to be this way, of course. Australia is rich in sun, wind, metals and critical minerals. Prominent figures from Rod Sims to Ross Garnaut to Alan Finkel have laid out how Australia could create large new green industries as the sun sets on fossil fuels. Big Australian companies say rapid emission cuts would spur huge new industries. But our attitude towards exploiting existing energy resources needs to change.

Grasping the true difficulty of keeping Australia’s fossil fuels safely in the ground is an essential first step before we can begin a more honest discussion about how to achieve a prosperous and safe future. Cutting emissions fast enough to avoid the very worst of climate change will require far greater ambition and far-reaching structural change to the economy.

By Martin Brueckner, Charles Roche and Tauel Harper The Converstation

Political folly of Dr Minnis

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN a recent opinion piece by this author in The Nassau Guardian, he had expressed complete shock at the news that Tribune President Robert DupuchCarron was actively seeking to secure the Progressive Liberal Party nomination for MICAL. In perhaps a symbolic gesture to demonstrate political reconciliation between The Tribune and the Pindling estate, a photo was published by the foregoing national daily on August 25 with Dupuch-Carron and Leslie Pindling, one of the sons of Sir Lynden, in front of PLP headquarters in recent days. The Nassau Guardian stated that the two gentlemen attended the PLP leadership module. This reinforces the rumours of Dupuch-Carron’s attempts to run under the PLP banner in the upcoming election. Ironically, on the same day this photo appeared in The Nassau Guardian, The Tribune published an editorial titled “Following in the footsteps of our forebears in service to our country.” In it, the following was written: “Yet that is what The Tribune has become. Despite facing off against seemingly insurmountable odds on account of a state sponsored campaign of victimisation 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.” I am assuming, until proven otherwise, that Tribune Editor Eileen Dupuch-Carron had written this editorial.

Several clues in it point to this conclusion, one of which is the statement about Sir Etienne Dupuch being her father. If my hunch is correct, then it would be another major development on the political front. For years The Tribune has been an unsolicited ally of the Free National Movement and its former leader, Hubert Ingraham. Between 1992 and 2021, there had been four FNM administrations; from 1992 to 2002,; 2007 to 2012 and from 2017 to 2021. An examination of

the editorials written by Dupuch-Carron during the Ingraham era would reveal that she had a very favourable view of the FNM administration. Even up until February 2016, The Tribune was somewhat pro-FNM, as one of its editorials that month defended Loretta Butler-Turner against the Minnis faction. The loyal support given to Ingraham by The Tribune was not extended to Minnis. It was the Ingraham policy of opening up the airwaves that catapulted the private media sector into levels of prosperity heretofore unseen. The Tribune being no exception. I vividly recall The Tribune’s centennial anniversary edition in 2003, in which Ingraham was celebrated, while Sir Lynden Pindling was chided for playing politics with either a work permit or residency application for the late Roger Carron. I believe that this was around the same timeframe that the English expat John Marquis was writing his weekly column in The Tribune that was so critical of the PLP, that a group of PLPs had gathered at the newspaper on Shirley Street in protest.

My point is this: in light of Ingraham’s cozy relationship with The Tribune, I cannot imagine any of his administrations giving the Dupuch-Carron family a hard time over an immigration application. Consequently, the circumstantial evidence I’ve gathered all point to the former FNM administration of Dr Hubert Minnis as being the culprit. If so, this is one more example of Minnis burning an important bridge for the FNM.

I recall it being stated in a Nassau Guardian editorial that that paper was also allegedly victimised by Minnis for criticizing one or several of his government policies. Assuming it was the Minnis administration that victimized the DupuchCarron family, was this a case of retaliation for what was written in one of The Tribune editorials?

Is this one of the reasons Robert Dupuch-Carron has gone PLP? Does this also mean that Eileen

Dupuch-Carron is PLP?

Minnis comes off as one who doesn’t take constructive criticism well. I remember Minnis snapping at a reporter a day before Hurricane Dorian made landfall in 2019. The reporter’s question was silly, but Minnis should have maintained his composure. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis has covered another important base by wooing another major media executive into the PLP fold. In a few short years Davis has gotten Nahaja Black, Clint Watson, who, by the way is seeking the PLP nomination for Southern Shores; Island Luck TV owner Mr Sebas Bastion, Mr Wendell Jones, owner of Jones Communications; former Guardian Radio personality Juan McCartney and the late Rodney Moncur, into his political organisation. While The Tribune has as its motto “Being Bound to Swear to the Dogmas of No Master,” I cannot envisage the daily returning to its former anti-PLP posture in light of what I wrote above regarding Robert DupuchCarron. At the very least, I am hoping that the newspaper would retain a modicum of objectivity in reporting political news. I am a bit wary of so many prominent media personalities aligning themselves to one political party, which could pose an existential threat to the integrity of the fourth estate, which is already severely compromised. For the FNM, this political evolution by The Tribune owners presents another important lesson in the importance of forging political alliances and of remaining cordial towards the press. You cannot remain politically relevant as a party if you are needlessly creating so many enemies. The conversion of the Dupuch-Carron family to the PLP shows the stark difference between Ingraham and Minnis in their relationship with the fourth estate. It also shows why it would be political folly to go back to Minnis, who had been playing checkers while his predecessor, Brave Davis, has been playing chess.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama Nassau, August 26,

Sands: Alarm over medical waste build-up at Rand in GB

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FNM Chairman Dr Duane Sands has sounded the alarm over what he described as dangerous neglect in the handling of medical waste at Rand Memorial Hospital, warning it poses a serious health and environmental risk.

During a visit to Freeport last Thursday, the former Minister of Health said he was appalled to find a dumpster overflowing with medical waste and numerous red biohazard bins left piled up for more than six months outside the hospital’s Operating Room.

Dr Sands, who travels to Grand Bahama twice a month to perform surgeries at the Rand, said he has repeatedly pressed the government to fix the problem.

“This has been something I was talking about for months and months,” he said. “I have begged, pleaded, implored, demanded, and asked the Ministry of Health and Wellness, through the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), to empty the garbage that has been collecting outside of the Operating Room of the Rand Memorial Hospital. Bags and bags of biological waste have been here unemptied for months — more than six months.”

He added that while there are occasional efforts to reduce the pile-up, “it is

never ever emptied.”

Dr Sands said the accumulation has attracted rodents and insects, creating filthy, foul-smelling conditions. “If you could imagine in the heat of the summer to have garbage sitting around for more than six months, the kind of creatures that are bred, sustained, nourished in this environment,” he said. In a Facebook post, he described a dumpster “completely full of red bags,” with containers recently removed “to an unknown site.” He questioned why the Rand’s functioning incinerator is not being used.

“One of the questions we have to ask is, why are we not using the incinerator that is functioning in Grand Bahama? Is there a contract for the management of biological waste in Grand Bahama?” he asked.

When The Tribune visited the site on Wednesday, red biohazard bins were still visible, some hidden behind ambulances parked on the compound. The dumpster itself was obscured by a 40-foot trailer but remained filled with medical waste.

The hospital administrator was unavailable for comment and did not return calls.

Efforts have since been made to clean up the area, but the biohazard dumpster remains full.

In February, the PHA assured the public that biohazardous waste at the Rand is managed under established protocols and international standards, explaining that waste is shipped to New Providence for incineration. Officials blamed delays on poor weather and the availability of private transport.

Cuban healthC are workers remain in Country as govt works new deal with us

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

CUBAN healthcare workers remain in The Bahamas as the Davis administration negotiates with the United States over its proposal to directly contract the professionals, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville confirmed yesterday.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is leading the discussions with Washington and reiterated that the government is prepared to hire Cuban workers directly, ending the longstanding reliance on Cuba’s state-run medical recruitment agency.

That agency has faced intense scrutiny in recent years. The Trump administration branded it a forced labour programme that underpaid, intimidated and coerced Cuban workers abroad.

When asked if Cuban healthcare providers are still working in local hospitals, Dr Darville confirmed they remain in the country but did not say whether they are actively on duty. He gave no timeline for when negotiations may conclude but stressed the critical need for their services.

The Bahamas currently employs three Cuban nurses and three doctors — two ophthalmologists and one optometrist — along with X-ray technicians, physiotherapists and biomedical specialists. Dr Darville said the Ministry of Health intends to integrate them into a new initiative to expand lab and diagnostic services throughout the Family Islands.

He said the sector is in

said the nurses will help to ensure Bahamian healthcare services remain open and functioning.

“survival mode” as Bahamian doctors and nurses continue to leave for the US in search of better pay and career opportunities. To fill the gaps, the ministry has recruited professionals from Ghana and is pursuing talent from the Philippines, India, Turkey and other countries.

In July, Dr Darville said most Cuban workers already in The Bahamas were eager to remain under new direct contracts with the government. His comments followed his June announcement that The Bahamas would cut ties with Cuba’s medical recruitment agency and instead hire Cuban professionals directly.

International reports and the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons assessments have alleged that Cuba exerts coercive control over overseas medical workers by confiscating passports, restricting movement, subjecting them to surveillance and threatening reprisals against them or their families if they defect or criticise the programme.

The policy shift in The Bahamas came after US officials warned they could revoke visas for Bahamian government officials and their relatives if the country continued to participate in Cuba’s labour export scheme, which Washington says amounts to forced labour.

A leaked 2022 contract, published by Cuba Archive, showed The Bahamas paid up to

$12,000 per month for each Cuban doctor, while the doctors themselves received only $990 to $1,200. The remainder went to Cuba’s state-run agency, Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos

Cubanos (CSMC).

Although Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell initially downplayed concerns about the pay structure, the threat of

visa sanctions forced the government to change course.

This week, education officials announced that most Cuban teachers will continue to be employed in the country.

Day of reckoning coming to BTC and Cable Bahamas

When Cable Bahamas recently and abruptly suspended PBS from its lineup it was the last straw for many already angry customers sickened by the continuous and seemingly irreversible decline of the company’s quality of programs and poor service culture.

As usual, there was no explanation or transparency regarding the suspension. Still, there are suspicions about the financial reasons behind why the cable provider has dropped a number of channels over the years.

PBS is a quality channel with exceptional public broadcast and other programs such as British productions including Masterpiece Theatre. It was an oasis away from much of the low-quality reality television and other crappy fare on local cable. There is no telling if or when it may return. no matter”, said a friend and others, who finally decided to junk the company and purchase a Fire TV Stick. An associate chimed in: “Cable Bahamas is so bad, they also forced me to get the Stick”, which she went online to purchase the next day. There have been problems with the PBS feed before. The sound on the

channel, like other channels, was reliably and regularly off.

The Bahamas is stuck in a telecommunications quagmire cum quicksand caught between a duopoly with monopolistic practices.

The current dismal and pathetic service from BTC and Cable Bahamas for telephone, internet, and cable TV service, is arguably some of the worst consumers have experienced over the decades. A reckoning is on the horizon.

everyone has a story. A sampling. A customer was called and told a cable TV technician would be at his residence in two hours. The technician never called or showed up.

Another customer was assured twice that a technician would come to see why the hBO package he is paying for is not on his television. Again, a technician never arrived. hBO is still off for him. It has been more than six weeks since he first complained.

Cable Bahamas is happy to fine a fee for late bill payment. Perhaps they should fine themselves a late fee and reimburse customers for not showing up on time or at all and for not for not bringing back on in a timely manner missing channels.

A dear friend recounts her nightmares dealing with Cable Bahamas. Three times she waited on the phone over the course of an hour to get the company to send a signal so she could get online.

each of these times the phone hung up as her call was being answered. As in other jurisdictions, is it the case that there is a strategy in place at so-called customer service to disconnect after a period of time to fend off complaints?

The weariness of a customer in the US desperately attempting to resolve a service problem sounds typical of what Bahamians experience daily with BTC and Cable Bahamas.

“My calls began getting lost, or transferred laterally

‘The

legacy carriers of BTC and Cable Bahamas have complained to the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) that they cannot compete with the likes of Starlink, owned by parent company SpaceX. They are correct.’

to someone who needed the story of a previous repair all over again. In time, I could predict the emotional contours of every conversation: the burst of scripted empathy, the endless routing, the promise of finally reaching a manager who—CLICK.”

Accompanying the abysmal service are the annoying and empty marketing campaigns by the companies lauding their quality customer service and technology. A better marketing strategy might be: “We are really very bad but we’re trying to improve”, which may have a minimum ring of credibility.

An aside, someone recently suggested a new theme song for BPL: “Mammy no light, no light”.

When a technician tells a customer that their complaint will be escalated it is code for good luck. First, the poorly trained customer service representative is clueless as to how to fix the problem even after sending multiple hits to a box which may or may not work.

Secondly, it means you are royally screwed and your problem will not be fixed or responded to anytime soon. escalation is a synonym for buzz off, a euphemism for another four-letter word preceding off.

God help you if you do not know how to locate and take a picture of the number from the back of your cable box, a number that is so small that even those with good eyesight have trouble reading.

With internet service down, again, and again, some consumers have had to use their cell phones as hotspots to get online, resulting in higher bills. A customer with BTC complained bitterly that because his internet was off, he had to use his ALIV cell phone as a hot spot service to get online for a meeting. This same customer recalls calling BTC to find the store nearest him. The customer service representative said she had no idea as she was resident in Freeport. Many of the company’s representatives are indifferent to queries and complaints. BTC residential lines are constantly off because of the unresolved problems with the company’s infrastructure. home and cell calls are constantly dropping. Bad reception with WhatsApp calls in the country are likely caused by “unreliable or slow internet connections, which require more bandwidth for voice and video calls...”

A technician from BTC told this columnist to drop the company’s residential service and try ALIV because the company he worked with for two decades was not going to put fibre optic lines in certain neighbourhoods anytime soon. The old BATeLCO monopolistic practices are legend. For decades they gouged customers in the long-distance telephone market, charging exorbitant prices, including for

1-800-calls to the US

A number of businesspeople regularly travelled to Florida to make calls within the US The cost of an airline ticket, accommodations, car rental, food, and other expenses often proved cheaper than using BATeLCO.

With new technologies this market eventually collapsed. Is the domestic cell phone market also going to collapse under new technologies?

The legacy carriers of BTC and Cable Bahamas have complained to the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) that they cannot compete with the likes of Starlink, owned by parent company SpaceX. They are correct.

Scores of Bahamians have now shifted to the internet provider, including those at odds with the politics of the company’s major shareholder, elon Musk. In a number of Family Islands, Starlink is a necessity given the awful internet service in many communities.

Other companies, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper, OneWeb, and the Chinese governmentbacked SpaceSail, will offer Starlink more competition in time.

Starlink is offering cell phone service in the US When this satellite-based technology becomes ubiquitous and affordable, many Bahamians will get rid of their landlines and utilize overseas companies for cell service.

Bahamians do not mind paying a fair price for a domestic service that works consistently. Instead, we have in many ways been abused through a history of monopolistic practices, arrogance, gouging, limited options, and poor customer service. We have been stuck with deplorable service providers.

But a fed-up populace, with new technologies at hand and more on the horizon, is going to have a reckoning with Cable Bahamas and BTC. In the not-too-distant future, many if not most Bahamians will utilize a foreign internet and cell phone service provider, and international streaming and other services for what was once provided by local companies. This means they will no longer rely on local companies for any telecommunications services. The only question is when the reckoning, which has begun, will reach its fullest intensity.

Israel held to a higher standard

The war around Israel continues, with at least dozens of civilians dying every day, some of them foreign journalists and aid workers. One of the world’s most influential opinion shapers, in a private speech and in a recent New York Times column, brings to light both the context and the peril of the current situation.

Thomas Friedman, perhaps the New York Times’ most distinguished current columnist, was awarded the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting (from Lebanon) and the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting (from Israel). he also won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for commentary.

Friedman became the Times’s foreign affairs opinion columnist in 1995. he had joined the paper in 1981, after which he served as the Beirut bureau chief in 1982, Jerusalem bureau chief in 1984, in Washington as the diplomatic correspondent in 1989 and later as the White house correspondent.

STATESIDE

Over the weekend, Friedman discussed the continuing Israeli aggression in Gaza. It’s safe to say that many of his views are shared by senior opinionmakers all over the Middle east, and that this current Israeli occupation and warfare in Gaza is putting at risk one of the

most significant diplomatic achievements of the first Trump administration.

was trying to expel hamas from Gaza and replace it with an Arab peacekeeping force in partnership with the Palestinian Authority.

“Is it any wonder Israel is losing so many friends around the world — as well as potential regional partners like Saudi Arabia?”

Friedman began by explaining why the world seems to be ganging up only on Israel now, when hamas initiated this conflict with a deadly sneak attack last October 7. “Because the world holds Israel to a higher standard than hamas, and because Israel has always held itself to a higher standard,” Friedman noted.

Then the veteran columnist repeated an allegation that has been making the rounds of newsrooms and television studios for many months. Friedman added that world condemnation is so widespread and consistent “because the world can tell the difference now between a war being waged for the survival of the Jewish state and a war being waged for the political survival of its prime minister.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long faced legal jeopardy. Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust –all of which he denies. he has cast the trial against him as an orchestrated leftwing witch-hunt meant to topple a democratically elected right-wing leader.

In one of the cases, the PM and his wife Sara have been accused of accepting more than $260,000 worth of luxury goods such as cigars, jewellery and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favours.

Many including Friedman theorize that Netanyahu is prolonging the war in Gaza to extend a national crisis that in turn has compelled Israeli courts to several times postpone trials on national security grounds that could result in significant jail time for the prime minister.

Friedman also contended that the world is almost completely united in condemning Israel “because the world can no longer look the other way at the loss of Palestinian civilian life in Gaza as the inevitable byproduct of a war in which — it hoped — Israel

About a week before that column appeared in the Times, Friedman spoke to a private audience in New York. he put the loss of Saudi confidence in Israel into historical context, starting with “the key event of 1979.” his audience immediately thought of the Iranian revolution that toppled the Iranian monarchy, drove the reigning Shah of Iran into exile in Los Angeles and triggered a 444-day hostage takeover of the US embassy in Tehran. That crisis in Iran not only held millions of Americans in anxious suspense for over a year. The ultimately futile and even feckless American response under then-president Jimmy Carter made the US chief executive seem weak. It was a major factor as his first-term presidency began to unravel and set the stage for the 1980 Republican return to the White house under former California governor Ronald Reagan. Also in 1979, the Soviet Union launched a misguided and ill-fated invasion of Afghanistan; an American nuclear power plant suffered a scary partial meltdown on an island in the Susquehanna River just south of Pennsylvania’s capital city of harrisburg, and Israel and egypt signed the Camp David peace treaty which established a peace between two once bitter rivals that endures today.

But despite all that, Friedman explained, those events in were not the most significant of 1979. “The bigger event was the takeover of the Grand Mosque in Mecca by fundamentalist jihad militants.”

In Friedman’s mind, that one month long crisis in Islam’s holiest city led to a Saudi turn to the right that has only truly begun to moderate in the last few years.

The crisis in Mecca ended when Saudi authorities reoccupied the Grand Mosque and immediately executed the militants. The Saudis vowed that such a calamity would never be repeated, and the ruling family imposed strict religious-based limits on its citizens, especially women.

Much of the Middle east followed Saudi Arabia back into a much more conservative social and political environment that, in its disenfranchisement of women, empowered a younger generation of men who were in turn attracted to 9/11 terrorist Osama bin Laden, among other radicals. After the deadly 2001 attacks on New York City and Washington, Friedman believes Saudi Arabia gradually began to turn back to a more liberal political philosophy, and eventually led the relatively new Persian Gulf neighbouring states like the United Arab emirates to embrace a pragmatism that has spawned spectacular architectural construction, world sporting events and sharp increases in tourism.

The Abrahamic Accords were a series of agreements signed in 2020 that normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Brokered by the US under Trump, these accords marked a profound shift in Middle eastern diplomacy, moving beyond past conflicts to foster cooperation, mutual understanding, and economic opportunity among the signatory countries. especially after Trump was reelected in 2024, hopes for a structure for peace in the Middle east –except Iran – seemed to be justified. Many of the most wealthy and influential nations of the Persian Gulf region seemed committed to a lasting peace with Israel. For experienced observers of the region, the implications were staggering.

Then hamas launched a deadly cross-border sneak attack on Israel, and many hopes for peace evaporated in the days, weeks and now months that followed. hamas, armed and politically influenced by the theocratic leaders in Iran who saw such a regional rapprochement as contrary to their anti-American and anti-Western mind set, encouraged the essentially nihilistic step of shattering the peace and the hopes of millions.

Ironically, Netanyahu’s continuing bludgeoning of hamas and Gaza, whether it is genuinely motivated by a desire to eliminate perhaps the greatest lingering threat to regional peace or the need to distract Israeli courts from prosecuting legal charges against him, or both, continues to threaten the fragile comity between Israel and many of its Arab neighbours.

Friedman concluded his remarks with a hopeful summary of the current situation. “This is a moment of incredible peril, but also incredible opportunity. I think that no one could better to enhance this opportunity that if President Trump called up Prime Minister Netanyahu and said ‘get your hostages out of Gaza, end the current war. Open negotiations for a Palestinian state.’

“There is an opportunity to actually lock in this inclusion network of Abrahamic Accords nations. I believe we have the best opportunity not just for peace with the Gulf states, but also for peace between Israel and Lebanon, Israel and Syria, Israel and Iraq. It will be hard, very hard. But it would be truly heartbreaking if Israel were to miss this incredible moment of opportunity and instead get mired in this moment of peril.”

There’s another truth in all of this period of peril and opportunity. Trump, especially since predecessor Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” is known to actively desire a Nobel for himself. If he can persuade Netanyahu and Israel to follow Friedman’s advice and stop this war, he could strengthen his candidacy immeasurably.

Shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school kills 2 children, injures 17 people

MINNEAPOLIS Associated Press

A shooter opened fire with a rifle Wednesday through the windows of a Catholic church in Minneapolis and struck some of the nearly 200 children celebrating Mass during the first week of school, killing two and wounding 17 people in an act of violence the police chief called “absolutely incomprehensible.”

Armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, 23-year-old robin Westman approached the side of the church and shot dozens of rounds through the windows toward the children sitting in the pews during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic school just before 8:30 am, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian o hara said at news conferences. he said the shooter then died by suicide. the children who died were 8 and 10. Fourteen other kids and three octogenarian parishioners were wounded but expected to survive, the chief said.

on Wednesday evening, hundreds prayed, wiped away tears and held each other during a packed vigil at a nearby school’s gym where Gov. tim Walz and Us sen. Amy Klobuchar, along with Catholic clergy, joined the mourners.

Archbishop Bernard hebda talked about the inscription at the front of the Annunciation Church that reads: “house of God and the gate of heaven.”

“how is it that such a terrible tragedy could take place in a place that’s the house of God and the gate of heaven?” he asked. “It’s unthinkable.”

Fifth-grader Weston halsne told reporters he ducked for the pews, covering his head, shielded by a friend who was lying on top of him. his friend was hit, he said.

“I was super scared for him, but I think now he’s okay,” the 10-year-old said, adding that he was praying for the other hospitalized children and adults.

halsne’s grandfather, Michael simpson, said the violence during Mass on the third day of school left him wondering whether God was watching over.

“I don’t know where he is,” simpson said.

Police investigate motive for the shooting

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that the shooting is being investigated as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.

o’hara said police hadn’t yet found any relationship between the shooter and the church, nor determined a motive for the bloodshed. the chief said, however,

that investigators were examining a social media post that appeared to show the shooter at the scene.

“the sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” said o’hara, who gave the wounded youngsters’ ages as 6 to 15. he said a wooden plank was placed to barricade some of the side doors, and that authorities found a smoke bomb at the scene.

on a Youtube channel titled robin W, the alleged shooter released at least two videos before the channel was taken down by site administrators Wednesday. In one, the alleged shooter shows a cache of weapons and ammunition, some with such phrases as “kill Donald trump” and “Where is your God?” written on them.

A second video shows the alleged shooter pointing to two outside windows in what appears to be a drawing of the church, and then stabbing it with a long knife. It was unclear when that video was uploaded to the channel.

Westman’s uncle, former Kentucky state lawmaker Bob heleringer, said he did not know the accused shooter well and was confounded by the “unspeakable tragedy.” the police chief said

Westman did not have an extensive known criminal history and is believed to have acted alone.

Federal officials referred to Westman as transgender, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey decried hatred being directed at “our transgender community.” Westman’s gender identity wasn’t clear. In 2020, a judge approved a petition, signed by Westman’s mother, asking for a name change from robert to robin, saying the petitioner “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”

Bill Bienemann, who lives a couple of blocks away and has long attended Mass at Annunciation Church, said he heard as many as 50 shots over as long as four minutes.

“I was shocked. I said, ‘there’s no way that could be gunfire,’” he said.

Police chief says officers rescued children who hid the police chief said officers immediately responded to reports of the shooting, entered the church, rendered first aid and rescued some of the children hiding throughout the building.

Frey and Annunciation’s principal said teachers and children, too, responded

heroically.

“Children were ducked down. Adults were protecting children. older children were protecting younger children,” said the principal, Matt DeBoer.

Danielle Gunter, the mother of an eighth-grade boy who was shot, in a statement said her son told her a Minneapolis police officer “really helped him” by giving aid and a hug before her son got into an ambulance.

Amid a heavy uniformed law enforcement presence later Wednesday morning, children in dark green uniforms trickled out of the school with adults, giving lingering hugs and wiping away tears.

Vincent Francoual said his 11-year-old daughter, Chloe, survived the shooting by running downstairs to hide in a room with a table pressed against the door. But he still isn’t sure exactly how she escaped because she is struggling to communicate clearly about the traumatizing scene. she told us today that she thought she was going to die,” he said.

Gov. Walz lamented that children just starting the school year “were met with evil and horror and death.” he and President Donald trump ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on state and federal buildings,

respectively, and the White house said the two men spoke. the governor was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in last year’s election against trump’s running mate, now Vice President JD Vance, a republican.

From the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram of condolences. the Chicagoborn Leo, history’s first American pope, said he was praying for relatives of the dead.

News of the shooting rippled through a national Democratic officials’ meeting nearby in Minneapolis. Us rep. Ilhan omar, a Democrat who represents the area around the school, visited the scene.

Atlanta Archbishop Gregory hartmeyer, who chairs the board of the National Catholic education Association, said in a statement that reasonable firearms legislation must be passed.

“the murder of children worshipping at Mass is unspeakable,” hartmeyer said. “We must take action to protect all children and families from violence.”

A string of fatal shootings in Minneapolis

Monday had been the first day of the school year at Annunciation, a 102-year-old school in a

leafy residential and commercial neighbourhood about 5 miles (8 kilometres) south of downtown Minneapolis.

Karin Cebulla, who said she had worked as a learning specialist at Annuciation and sent her two now-collegeaged daughters there, described the school as an accepting, caring community.

e veryone felt safe here, and I just pray that it continues to be a place where people feel safe,” she said.

t he gunfire was the latest in a series of fatal shootings in Minnesota’s most populous city in less than 24 hours. o ne person was killed and six others were hurt in a shooting tuesday afternoon. h ours later, two people died in two other shootings in the city.

o ’ h ara, the police chief, said the Annunciation shooting does not appear to be related to other recent violence.

Alongside many major U s cities, violent crime in Minneapolis has decreased since the C o VID-19 pandemic, based on data from A h Datalytics and its r ealtime Crime Index, which tracks crimes across the country using law enforcement data.

Labour Department dismisses claim workers unfairly terminated from Celebration Key

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

CLAIMS that dozens of Bahamian workers have been unfairly terminated at Celebration Key were rejected yesterday by the Department of Labour following an investigation into the matter.

Concerns have circulated for weeks that Grupo Anderson, operator of the food and beverage department at Celebration Key,

has been releasing groups of Bahamian workers after only a month on the job. Critics say the swift dismissals destabilise families and betray the promise of job creation on Grand Bahama, particularly for those who left stable positions or returned home to take advantage of the new opportunities. Some have also alleged that workers were initially told probation would last six months and questioned whether foreign staff may be brought in to

the public in July.

replace Bahamians.

Community voices have described the situation as “a betrayal of trust,” warning that Grand Bahama residents deserve fair treatment, job security, and genuine investment in their success, not to be treated as expendable.

Labour Executive Manager Quinton Laroda said his department and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) unit immediately investigated the complaints, meeting with

Grupo Anderson’s head of HR and about 14 managers and supervisors.

“We told them our expectation and that we wanted compliance with labour law,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “We also told them there will be no tolerance for mistreatment of Bahamians. If you speak down to Bahamians or use racially insensitive language, that’s a one-way ticket out of our country. There will be no tolerance for that at all.”

The Labour Department concluded most of the complaints were unfounded, though some issues appeared to stem from cultural differences. Mr Laroda said the department will remain vigilant.

“I instructed the team in Grand Bahama to monitor the probationary process, just to make sure it is as fair as possible, and Bahamians get the best situation,” he said.

He added that the company employs about 600 people, with only a small number released during its three-month probationary process. “One of the things that Grupo Anderson have is a probation period of about three months. And within the three months of probation, it’s a test for suitability, and if you don’t meet their company standards, either in aptitude or whatever, they don’t make you permanent and that’s allowable by law,” he said.

Govt to introduce pilot programme using AI to monitor elderly patients’ health

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

ELDERLY patients in The Bahamas could receive continuous care through a new artificial intelligence platform that tracks their health and reminds them to take their medication.

One hundred elderly patients will participate in the Remember 2 Platform Pilot Project, which introduces remote patient monitoring for seniors. Over the next eight weeks, participants from the Geriatric Hospital’s gerontology clinic will use Android smartwatches powered by the AI platform for continuous monitoring.

During the launch at the Public Hospitals Authority headquarters, Minister of Health and Wellness

Dr Michael Darville said healthcare systems

worldwide are adopting AI to improve patient care and outcomes.

“Technology alone is not the solution to better healthcare,” Dr Darville said. “Success depends on the collective commitment to human compassion in healthcare. We’re having too many complaints at all of our tertiary institutions about the quality of care and the time spent with the patient and compassion. I want to bring that type of compassion back into healthcare delivery systems, and with the use of AI and technology, we now can use our skills to improve that quality.”

The RM2.ai platform uses smart wearable devices to monitor blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, hydration, and overall wellness. It can also predict health issues and help reduce hospitalisations.

Corlette Deveaux,

co-founder of RM2, said being from The Bahamas, she recognised the importance of introducing such technology to support the country’s elderly. She added that the tracking feature is useful for locating missing seniors.

The platform can also engage users in conversations, remind them about their doctor’s appointments and medication, and send emergency alerts to loved ones.

A team from the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) helped participants with setting up the platform on their smartwatches and phones.

Linda Strachan, 76, one of the participants, said she was excited to use the platform and encouraged other seniors not to be afraid of embracing technology.

Following the launch ceremony, a workshop was held for participants.

Death Notices for

PEDRO “Kitty” SIMON, 40

a resident of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, died in Exuma on Thursday, August 14, 2025.

He is survived by his mother: Rochelle Moss; father: Jeffrey Simon; stepmother: Candice Simon; 4 brothers: Jerome, Jeffrey Jr., Nikeil & Justin; sisters: Candia, Keva, Ashley & Brittany; grandfather: Leslie Lopez; aunts: Linda Bridgewater, Stephanie & Wendy Colebrooke, Cessalene Whyte, Mae Culmer & Monique Barton; uncles: Zhavardo, Kenny, Cruz Whyte; step grandfather: Cecil Whyte; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

NATASHA MONIQUE CASH, 53

a resident of Armbrister Street, died at PMH on Monday, August 18, 2025.

She is survived by her mother: Alsaida Griffith; father: Erroll Cash; 4 sons: Mark & Dario Cash, Alexio Miller & Deangelo Pinder; 1 daughter: Alexis Miller; 2 grand children, numerous sisters & brothers & a host of other relatives & friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

IRONICA PATRICIA KEMP née RIGBY, 82

of #6 Armeryllis Avenue, Garden Hills #1 and formerly of Mangrove Cay, Andros, died on Thursday, 7 August 2025.

She is survived by a children: Mayfield KempHolbert, Cheryl Ann Kemp, Mark Kemp and Dr. Karen Kemp-Prosterman; Seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, other relatives and friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

MINISTER CHARLES WESLEY MUNNINGS, 69

a resident of #36 Bougainvilla Blvd., South Beach Estates, died at his residence on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

He is survived by his wife: Elder Cherilyn M. Munnings; 2 sons: Corey Wesley (Donette) and Carlos Wayne Munnings; 4 grand children; 2 sisters: Carol (Vernal) Brown and Vanessa Horton; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

MARJORIE LOUISE PINDER, 71

a resident of East Street, died at PMH on Thursday, August 14, 2025.

She is survived by her 1 son: Stephen Pinder; 2 daughters: Schyonne Ottley & Schvall Pinder; 8 grandchildren; 2 sisters: Eva Joyce & Natasha Hinsey; 4 brothers: Anthony, Everette, Albert & Douglas Black; son-inlaw: Tony Bethea; common law husband: Earl “Sunny” Haven; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced later

WILLIAM ALBERT KELLY, 83

a resident of #167 South Beach, died at PMH on Tuesday, 19 August, 2025.

He is predeceased by his wife, Sharon Kelly.

He is survived by his Sons: Carlos Neely and Adrian Kelly; daughter-in-law: Alice Kelly. Grandchildren: Carlisa Neely, Carlina Neely and Caleah Neely, Ashannon Kelly, Ason Kelly, Angel Kelly, Ashad Kelly & a host of other relatives & friends

Funeral arrangements will be announced

St Paul’S BaP tiSt ChurCh CeleBrateS 155 YearS of MiniStrY

St Paul’S Baptist Church is proud to celebrate its 155th anniversary under the theme “Repositioning in Christ”. the celebration is grounded in the scripture passage Colossians 2:6–7, reminding members and the wider community to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith with thanksgiving. the church will recognise its anniversary during three services on Sunday 7.30am and 11am. a special afternoon service will also be held at the at 3.30pm.

Founded in 1870, St Paul’s Baptist Church has remained a spiritual pillar within the Fox Hill community for more than a century and a half. the church has been shepherded by a remarkable line of pastors: the late Rev Khoma Roker, who was the first pastor, followed by Rev Johnny Roker, Rev Samuel Roker, Rev levi Roker, Rev Elisha Roker, and Rev leroy

Henry. In 1982, leadership was passed to Bishop Dr J Carl Rahming, who became the seventh pastor. Bishop Rahming’s tenure marked a season of expansion. He oversaw the growth of the congregation and the physical church building, establishing St Paul’s as a beacon in Fox Hill. His dedication to both ministry and community life earned him the affectionate title “Mayor of Fox Hill.” the church’s motto, “Where everybody is somebody,” continues to capture the welcoming spirit that defines the congregation. as the nation faces many social challenges, St Paul’s Baptist Church remains firm in its biblical mandate to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.” the church continues to thrive by adapting to changing times and embracing new technologies, all while remaining anchored in its mission,

vision, and core values.

Over the years, innovative ministries have been developed to meet the needs of every generation. these include the Children’s Choir and Dance team, Sunday School for all ages, as well as active departments for Youth, Men, and Women. Outreach and evangelism remain central pillars, with ministries such as feeding the poor and community upliftment initiatives, all carried out to the honour and glory of God. Reflecting on the significance of this milestone, Rev George Bodie, the current Senior Pastor, said: “this celebration is not only about looking back at our history with pride, but also about looking forward with faith as we continue to reposition ourselves in Christ. Our legacy is one of perseverance and service, and we remain committed to being a light in this community.”

Faith on the Job

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

FOR many Christians, faith doesn’t end after leaving those four walls at church on a Sunday. It follows right into the home, the food store, on a lunch date, in a classroom at school, as well as in the office space. And while these individuals may not be preaching from a pulpit, small habits and quiet practices are often the ways they keep God at the centre of their nine-to-five.

Tribune Religion spoke to a number of Bahamians who shared their thoughts on the topic, “Faith on the Job.”

For Keisha Bain, keeping a Bible verse written on a sticky note on her computer literally gets the job done every time.

“People that lead busy lives may sometimes say they just don’t have the time to sit and pray. But that’s a crazy way to think. You can literally have your oneon-one with God any and everywhere possible. You can speak to Him about everything – He listens. I am a firm believer of that. And guess what? It doesn’t have to be long. Sometimes it’s just a simple, ‘Thank You, Lord.’ No matter how busy the day gets, I acknowledge Him always,” said Kayla. Moreover, others find creative ways to insert worship into their workday. Angela Roberts said when in the office, her AirPods are her absolute go-to.

“I enjoy most music genres but when at my desk typing away (especially first thing in the morning), I can honestly say I’ve more than likely got praise and worship blasting in my ears.

“Every time I get stressed, which is sometimes often in my line of work. I just glance at it. It may sound cliché but the Bible verse is Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It reminds me to just breathe and not internalise issues in my work life, and issues on the whole. My coworkers more than likely think it’s just a decoration, but for me it’s a lifeline,” said Keisha. There are also those who use their lunch breaks as prayer breaks, like Kayla Deal, who said before eating she is sure to be seen bowing her head in prayer; not only praying to God to bless her meal, but speaking to Him about anything that comes to her mind at the time.

The emails pile up, but so does my spirit. It’s a feeling I can’t even describe properly. It’s a calmness I highly recommend – it’s 10/10,” said Angela.

Apart from this, many agree that faith at work doesn’t have to be loud at all. Sometimes it’s simply shown through kindness, patience and peace.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one that watched that Madea movie when Cora asked, ‘What would Jesus do?’ And even though she said it in the context of a joke, it’s a phrase that remains true in so many ways. There are many times I want to lose my cool on a rude customer or coworker. But asking myself that one question has saved those individuals in many ways. I’d rather live my life in a way that is more pleasing to God than man. If I can keep my cool, maybe they’ll see a little bit of God in that,” said another local, Jason Pratt.

Not everyone is comfortable talking about their faith at work, but words aren’t always needed when people can see how you carry yourself – one Bible verse at your desk, one song playing in your AirPods, and one prayer during your lunch hour – at a time.

Faith and Education: Parents Struggle to Find the Right Balance

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AS classrooms across the country reopen and students settle into a new academic year, parents are once again confronting the challenge of balancing two powerful forces in their children’s lives.

On one side is the pursuit of academic excellence, the steady climb through homework, exams, and grades. On the other side is the desire to nurture faith, values, and character. For many families, the tug-of-war between education and faith is not an abstract concept but a lived reality that unfolds every single morning before the school bell rings.

For some parents, faith is not only an added element but the cornerstone of their child’s preparation. Patricia Johnson, mother of a ten-year-old and a teenager in secondary school, describes mornings at her home as a blend of the practical and the spiritual. “I iron uniforms and make sure the

lunches are packed, but the most important thing for me is prayer,” she explained. “School teaches my children how to achieve and how to compete, but faith teaches them how to stand firm when challenges come. I can buy all the books and the pencils, but if they do not know God’s word, then I feel something vital is missing.”

Patricia is not alone in this conviction. Many parents feel a sense of urgency to ensure that faith is planted deeply in their children’s lives before the wider world begins to shape them. With so much emphasis placed on exam scores, college placement, and the promise of career success, parents like Patricia believe faith is the one factor that equips children to handle failure, rejection, and even success without arrogance. “The school system measures grades,” she added, “but faith measures the heart. And it is the heart that I am most concerned about.”

Others, however, believe that while faith is important, education must remain the primary focus

during the school year. Michael Cartwright, father of three, admits that he worries about his children being able to compete in a world that places such a high value on achievement.

“I grew up with religious education in school, and it shaped my values. But times have changed. Religious education does not carry the same weight as before, and I cannot rely on the school system to give my children that grounding.

I make sure they attend Sunday School and youth group, but I also insist on extra lessons and revision because academic success is what will open doors for them. Faith gives them strength, but education gives them options.”

Michael’s view reflects a growing sentiment among parents who see the modern classroom as less about character formation and more about academic performance. In the past, religious education lessons often carried a sense of seriousness, sometimes accompanied by scripture recitations and memory verses. Today, many schools present RE as

part of a broader look at world religions or moral education, leaving some parents to question whether it still plays a meaningful role.

There are also parents who try to hold both priorities in equal measure, seeing the tug-of-war not as a conflict but as a balance. Melissa Ferguson, who has a daughter preparing for national exams, believes the two must go hand in hand.

“I tell my daughter that integrity and faith are just as important as her marks,” Ferguson shared. “She must know that success without character is no success at all. When she studies, I remind her that diligence is part of her faith. And when she prays, I remind her that God expects her to put in the work as well. I want her to leave school not only employable but also honourable.”

Melissa believes that schools, parents, and churches each have their own role to play. She sees schools as essential for sharpening the mind, but she views faith communities as the space where children learn resilience, kindness, and

accountability. “The church teaches my daughter about grace, humility, and service,” she explained. “The school teaches her to calculate and analyse. Both are important, and both must work together,” she told Tribune Religion. For students, the balancing act can sometimes feel even more personal. They live in a world where exam results and peer pressures collide daily with the values taught at home and in church.

Sixteen-year-old student David Butler, who attends RM Bailey High School and a local youth group, said: “My parents always tell me that I may be the only Bible my classmates ever read. It is not always easy to live that out at school, but it keeps me grounded when I face temptations or when things get stressful.”

The tug-of-war between faith and education does not appear to have a simple solution. For some families, academics will always come first. For others, faith is the anchor that holds everything together.

Governor General, Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt received Indira Demeritte-Francis, president of the Industrial Tribunal (left) along with recorder Anesta Weekes, KC of London, England (right) in a courtesy call in the Drawing Room at Government House on Tuesday.