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PRISON OFFICER FATALLY STABBED

Corrections trainee and BDOCS colleagues stabbed in altercation at Blu Ice Restaurant and Bar

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A TRAINEE Corrections Officer was fatally stabbed and two of his squad mates injured during a violent altercation at Blu Ice Restaurant & Bar early yesterday morning.

Ashantio Clevorn Johnson, 23, died just months after his proud father cried tears of joy watching him graduate from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services

training programme, a moment his family said symbolised his determination to build a better future. His colleagues aged 21 and 28 suffered stab wounds. During the melee, the suspected knifeman reportedly confronted an off-duty police officer outside the bar, leading to a conflict in which the officer’s service weapon was discharged, grazing the suspect’s head. Videos circulating online showed the suspect confronting a man – believed to be the off-duty officer

– holding a gun. Another video showed the chaos inside the lounge, with ter rified bystanders watching as a man swung at others during the fight. A third clip showed a man bleeding on the ground outside.

Police said the stabbing happened shortly before 2am. The Bahamas Depart ment of Correctional Services described Johnson’s death as a “tre mendous loss.” His sister,

OFFICER - SEE PAGE FIVE

Road Traffic Dept set to recall almost 800 inactive taxi and livery plates

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis said the government’s revenue intake at the Road Traffic Department has at times been “skewed” due to many taxi and livery plates being inactive.

Her comments came after her ministry announced that almost 800 inactive taxi and livery plates are slated to be recalled. She confirmed yesterday that an ongoing audit at the Department of Road Traffic is reviewing inactive plates. In the ministry’s notice, inactive taxi and livery plate numbers were listed for New Providence and

Grand Bahama. Holders of those plates can visit the department to bring their franchises up to date. If they fail to do so, the plates will be subject to recall.

Ms Coleby-Davis said inactive plates form part of government revenue, adding that the weeding out of unused plates had

RECALL - SEE PAGE 11

TRAINEE Corrections Officer Ashantio Clevorn Johnson

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) Leader

Michael Pintard has slammed Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis for his

delayed intervention in the ongoing Junkanoo debacle, accusing him of sanctioning poor decisions and “playing a good cop, bad cop game” as tensions within the cultural community reached a breaking point.

Mr Pintard’s comments

came after the Prime Minister was expected to meet with executives of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) on Monday at 12pm to address the growing crisis. However,

- SEE PAGE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ST ANNE’S MP Adrian White said he was subjected to racial attacks after a video showed him stepping on Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) paraphernalia, adding that despite the backlash, he does not regret his actions and would do

them again.

Mr White dismissed claims that his behaviour was unbecoming of a sitting MP and insisted he would not apologise.

“I have no reason to apologise for being Bahamian,” he said. “No Bahamian should face the amount of racial attacks I received

WHITE - SEE PAGE FOUR

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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

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Climate crisis worsened in 2024

Climate change has been on the world’s radar for decades. Predictions made by scientists at oil giant Exxon in the early 1980s are proving accurate. The damage done by a hotter, more chaotic world is worsening and getting more expensive.

Even so, many countries around the world are failing to meet their emissions targets, with major gaps found even this week between the commitments and actions needed to hold global warming to 1.5°C.

This has put Earth on a dangerous path, as our new report on the state of the climate reveals.

Last year was the hottest on record. It was also likely the hottest in at least 125,000 years.

Every year, we track 34 of the planet’s vital signs. In 2024, 22 of these indicators were at record levels. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and ocean heat both hit new highs, as did losses of trees to fire. Meat consumption kept rising and fossil fuels consumption reached new heights.

Graphs that show the increase in climate emissions, fire and energy consumption. Examples of vital signs, including carbon dioxide emissions, global tree cover loss to fire and energy consumption from different sources. State of the Climate 2025

The consequences of climate inaction are ever more clear. In 2024, the world’s coral reefs suffered the most widespread bleaching ever recorded, affecting roughly 84% of the world’s coral reef area between January 2023 and May 2025.

Greenland and Antarctic ice mass fell to record lows. Deadly and costly disasters surged, including the flooding in Texas which killed at least 135 people while the Los Angeles wildfires have cost more than A$380 billion. Since 2000, global climate-linked disasters have now caused more than $27 trillion in damages.

Stories and statistics like this are sadly not new. Many other reports and warnings have been published before we started this annual snapshot in 2020. Therefore, our report this year focuses on three high-impact types of climate action, across energy, nature and food.

Combined solar and wind consumption set a new record in 2024 but is still 31 times lower than fossil fuel (oil, coal, gas) energy consumption. This is despite the fact renewables are now the cheapest choice for new energy almost everywhere. One reason for this are the ongoing subsidies for fossil fuels. By 2050, solar and wind energy could supply nearly 70% of global electricity. But this transition requires restricting the influence of the fossil fuel industry and a full phase out of fossil fuel production and use, not the expansion we continue to see globally.

As a result of surging fossil fuel consumption, energy-related emissions rose 1.3% in 2024 and reached an all-time high of 40.8 gigatons (Gt) of carbon dioxide equivalent. In 2024, the greatest fossil fuel greenhouse gas emitters were China (30.7% of total), the United States (12.5%), India (8.0%), the European Union (6.1%), and Russia (5.5%). Together, they accounted for 62.8% of global emissions.

Sadly, much of the rise in fossil fuel electricity generation may be due to hotter temperatures and heat waves.

Although there are concerns over the environmental impacts of renewables, the greater threat to our biodiversity is climate change and biodiversity conservation and mitigation measures can be part of project planning.

Protecting and restoring ecosystems on land and in the ocean remains one of the most powerful ways to support climate change, and support biodiversity and human well-being.

Protecting and restoring ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, mangroves and peatlands could remove or avoid around 10 Gt of carbon dioxide emissions per year by 2050, which is equivalent to roughly 25% of current annual emissions.

But we must also stop destroying what we have. Global tree cover loss was almost 30 million hectares in 2024, the second highest area on record and a 4.7% increase over 2023. Tropical primary forest losses were particularly large in 2024, with fire-related losses reaching a record high of 3.2 million hectares, up from just 690 thousand hectares in 2023, a 370% increase. Approximately 30% of food is lost or wasted globally. Reducing food waste could greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions since it accounts for roughly 8–10% of global emissions. Policies supporting plant-rich diets could also help slow climate change, while offering many benefits related to human health, food security, and biodiversity.

The technical mitigation potential associated with switching away from eating meat may be in the order of 0.7–8.0 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2050. This is in part because methane emissions from cows, sheep and other ruminant livestock account for roughly half of all agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Per capita meat consumption hit alltime highs in 2024, and we currently add 500,000 more ruminants per week.

In our report, we note that social tipping points can trigger climate action. These refer to moments when a small, committed minority triggers a rapid and large-scale shift in social norms, beliefs, or behaviours. Research shows sustained, nonviolent movements and protests involving just a small proportion of a population (about 3.5%) can help trigger transformative change.

Many people underestimate just how much support there is globally for climate action, with most people believing they are in a minority. This arguably fosters disengagement and isolation. But it also suggests that as awareness grows and people see their values reflected in others, the conditions for social tipping points may be strengthened.

Reaching this positive tipping point will require more than facts and policy. It will take connection, courage, and collective resolve. Climate mitigation strategies are available, cost effective and urgently needed, and we can still limit warming if we act boldly and quickly, but the window is closing.

Thomas Newsome University of Sydney

William Ripple

Oregon State University

EDITOR, The Tribune.

DEBT JUSTICE: You ever hear of this term? It refers to a movement that advocates for the problem of injustice associated with debt, particularly in developing nations but also in your own backyard. It is concerned with the unjust debts that burden and hinder individuals and developing nations. The Northern Hemisphere is nationally wealthy and prosperous, yet its citizens can experience unjust debt just as easily as a developing nation.

The developing world is still dealing with its historical colonial baggage, and has acquired massive levels of debt to the very same banking systems of old colonial powers. These nations are found in The EU,, America and also nations such as China, Saudi Arabia and most other resource wealthy nations. Indebted to these former task masters the Global South tries to get some leverage politically by borrowing needed funds to develop their nation. This debt is often never repaid, much like a addict to their drug dealer, they continue to borrow until their economy’s basically paying monthly installment’s yet never the principal loans. A vicious financial cycle that has no end. Their citizens endure high taxation rates until these demands become intolerable. Public unrest and possible revolution result catastrophically and these same citizens return to the vicious cycle

under new national management The needs to the many are reliant upon the empathy of a few in power.

The “former” colonial power brokers demand payment indirectly also, exacting pressure upon smaller nations to support them politically. A cycle of former colonial methods demand the debtor repay their master through political submissiveness and usury. Many of your neighbours maybe dealing with unjust indebtedness. All advertising in the West centres upon acquiring brands, products, experiences and wealth and how to acquire it. This personal impulse to acquire brings with it a credit line, credit card debt and unrealistic expectations encouraged by a long term system of finance. How about the poor and needy within our societies?

There are many and for them making ends meet is based upon reliance with state assistance and acquiring some form of credit. The oppressive nature of debt rules the digital, media and airwaves of our society so that a constant call to acquire remains evident. Debt can be as oppressive as a authoritarian regime. Historically corporations relied upon a system that provided low cost employment to their subjects who were responsible

to purchase all the needed trappings to do their job.

The “Corporate Store” was born where a worker was granted credit to purchase all that they needed to live and work and the corporation then deducted from their pay. Soon the worker was indebted to their employer for a long period of time.

Look at your debt. What you purchase and why?

Do you work to simply pay your bills and survive another pay schedule? Sounds familiar does it not?

The Great Nations and Corporations that prosper do so because of You.. Your needs and socially incentivized expectations enslave you to “the man”. A unbroken cycle historically proven to make profits for the few while employing the majority in a fruitless process of so called socio-financial advancement.

Debt Justice attempts to deal with all sorts of debt, such as Illegitimate debt(public debt), odious debt(authoritarian regimes) and unsustainable indebtedness that cause harm to individuals and developing nations. It attempts to deal with the injustice of debt, promote economic fairness and ensure financial systems serve the needs of all people.

“If you can make it, make it. If you do not need it leave it be. Enslavement comes in many forms” St. Ambrose.

STEVEN KASZAB Bradford, Ontario November 2, 2025

Pintard said Davis had to be aware of

MOYSC switch on parade management

officials from the Office of the Prime Minister later announced that the meeting had been rescheduled for another day.

“I think he’s late,” Mr Pintard said. “The Prime Minister has an obligation to again cast a vision for all of his ministers to follow.

The largest single cultural expression of the country is in crisis under the present administration, not just the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture. The Prime Minister sits and presides over Cabinet, so he’s aware every single day of the challenges we’re having in the Junkanoo community.

“There is no possibility that they could have switched from permitting the JCNP to preside over the management of the parades and several other aspects of Junkanoo development, particularly in New Providence, and the Prime Minister not be aware. I would argue that he sanctioned it. It’s no way an Attorney General or a Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture would have been able to do what they have done up to this point if the Prime Minister did not sanction it. So he is again playing that game of good cop, bad cop. He permits his members to run wild and make ill-advised decisions, and then he comes back as if he’s come to rescue the day.”

The FNM leader said the government’s handling of the Junkanoo controversy reflects poor leadership

and disregard for cultural stakeholders, accusing the administration of “bullying” Junkanoo leaders rather than engaging them respectfully.

“We are now just a few short months away from the parades on Bay Street,” Mr Pintard said. “They could have convened a full conclave to discuss the management of the parades going forward, to discuss in detail the bill on establishing an authority or commission to talk about internationalising Junkanoo and monetising it so persons could work year-round. These are all the issues, the parades are but one small part of it. The Prime Minister could have paused a long time ago.”

Mr Pintard also accused the Davis administration of hypocrisy and financial mismanagement.

“They have so many instances of financial irregularities that they have not addressed yet they want to go to the Junkanoo community and say, ‘we checking you all out in detail.’ They ought to be responsible in how they manage our culture and deal with cultural practitioners with respect, and they are not doing that right now.”

The Junkanoo crisis has been building for months. It stems from the government’s decision earlier this year to release a National Junkanoo Authority Bill and then later to take management of the parades away from the JCNP and hand control to a newly formed Parade Management Committee under the

National Junkanoo Committee (NJC).

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture defended the decision as part of broader reforms meant to modernise and professionalise Junkanoo management. However, JCNP members accused the government of acting without consultation, ignoring the voices of cultural stakeholders, and jeopardising months of preparation.

The JCNP said the midseason change “disrupted sponsorship agreements, costume production, and parade logistics” that had already been finalised.

Last month, Mr Davis sought to distance himself from the dispute, telling reporters: “Don’t bring me into it.” He said the matter was being handled by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC).

“I’m not involved in that at all because they accuse the matter of being political, and so don’t bring me into it,” the Prime Minister said at the time. “I’ve directed the Minister of Youth and Sports and the NJC, they are dealing with it, and I’m leaving it to them.”

However, he appeared to become involved after JCNP officials claimed that the most iconic groups, the Saxons Superstars, Roots, One Family, and the original Valley Boys, would not participate in the government-run parades. One Family has since said it would participate in the NJC-run parades.

JCNP denies making any agreement with govt for joint management of parades

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) last night denied that any agreement had been made for joint management of the upcoming Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades with the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP), adding to confusion after a video shared by the Office of the Prime Minister suggested otherwise.

The video featured JCNP

Chairman Dion Miller and NJC Chairman Andrew Pinder, along with other members of the Junkanoo community. In the clip, Mr Miller said the organisations were working in a “unified manner” in the best national interest of Junkanoo.

“We're excited to be at this point and to move forward together hand in hand to make Junkanoo one and

whole for all,” Mr Miller said.

Mr Pinder said they had gathered in the interest of culture and acknowledged Mr Miller, members of the Parade Management Team, the Festival Committee, the Saxons Superstars leader, and Sir Franklyn Wilson, a longtime sponsor of the group, who were all present. However, the NJC later said in a statement that the meeting was not a formal engagement with the JCNP, but rather a discussion with representatives of the Shell Saxon Superstars.

“While Mr Dion Miller, who is affiliated with the JCNP, was present, the conversation was focused solely on general parade preparations,” the statement said. “To be clear, no agreement for joint management between the NJC and the JCNP exists.” The NJC added that the 2025/2026 Junkanoo parades will be managed

exclusively by the Parade Management Team appointed by the committee under the oversight of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

The team is led by Douglas Hanna, a former Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The statement continued: “While the NJC values the contribution and experience of individuals across the Junkanoo community — including those who have previously served with the JCNP — these individuals will participate this year as part of the NJC’s official Parade Management structure, not as representatives of any external body.

“The NJC remains fully committed to a transparent, timely, and professionally managed parade season, ensuring fairness for all groups and preserving the integrity of Junkanoo.”

Mr Miller did not respond to calls up to press time.

Third person charged in fatal drive-by-shooting of Roland Evans Jr

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A THIRD person was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of the fatal drive-by shooting of Roland Evans Jr on Adderley Street in August. Police alleged that Anwar Ferguson, 22, and accomplices shot Evans Jr, 22, as he stood outside a residence around 10pm on August 3. The suspects allegedly fled the scene in a gold Japanese vehicle. Evans Jr later died in the hospital. Ferguson was charged with murder before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley. He was not required to enter a plea, and the case will proceed to the Supreme

Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Ferguson’s co-accused were arraigned for the same charge in September. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his VBI is served on February 12, 2026. Ian Cargill represented the accused, while Inspector Deon Barr was the prosecutor.

MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL DELAY AFTER DEFENDENT FALLS ILL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE trial of a man accused of manslaughter in a 2013 shooting was delayed yesterday after the defendant fell ill.

Jadre “Mice” Evans was seen coughing while wearing a mask, with his head lowered, as he stood in the dock before Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns. Defence attorney Damien White told the court his client had come down with the flu and requested an adjournment so Evans could seek medical attention. Evans is accused of causing the shooting death of Sylvester Woodside on November 28, 2013, in

“There is no possibility that they could have switched from permitting the JCNP to preside over the management of the parades and several other aspects of Junkanoo development, particularly in New Providence, and the Prime Minister not be aware.”

Jubilee Gardens. Justice Archer-Minns told jurors the matter would resume today if the defendant’s condition improves and ordered that Evans be examined by a doctor at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Gary Rolle, Danielle Capron, and Tabitha Frazer represented the prosecution.

Bye election: the importance of being earnest

As MLK understood, Democracy for all depends on the ballot box

The upcoming Golden Isles by-election may offer somecluesastothecontours andpotential outcomeofthe general election next year, thoughit maynotportend the victor in 2026.

Voter turnoutis typically lower ina by-election, but the turnout in Golden Islesmay offeraparticular clue about themood of the electorate in the bellwether seat, which is a potentially winnableseat forboth parties in a general election.

There’s much on the line for both major parties and theirleaders, neitherof whomwanted theby-election at this time. The result will, inlarge part,turn on mobilizingthe partybases and themore independent voters. Thevoters ofGolden Isles have anopportunity to senda messageto themajor parties and the country.

Some may feel like sittingout theby-electionand voting in the general. Still othercitizens, fedupwith their current choices and politiciansin general,don’t feellikevotingineithercontest.

Torefusetovoteisadecision. But voting is not fundamentallyaboutpoliticians. It isabout thecitizenry choosing their elected representatives andholding them accountable. Democracy,like thehumancondition,is imperfect,requiring constant improvementand renewal.

Chaney, anAfrican American from Mississippi,disappeared during the course of their registration efforts.After two months, their bodies were found: Theywere “abducted and murderedin anact ofracial violence.

wewill nolonger pleadto the federal government for passage of an anti-lynching law . . .

Giveus theballotand we will fill our legislative halls with men ofgood will .

paign, an ambitiouseffort to register African American voters in southern US states. The idealistic activists workedin Mississippi,a statewithone oftheworst records of Jim Crow and violence against black Americans. Theparticularly vi-

During the investigation it emerged that the Philadelphia, Mississippi, Police Department, adherents of the local White Knights of the Ku Klux Klanandthe Neshoba County Sheriff's Office were allinvolved inthebrutality against the men.

Disgust and outrage over the murders, includingthe in-

gling. For the progeny of slaves, this disregards and dishonours thestruggles of those ancestorswho fought forbasicfreedomsforgenerations, including in The Bahamas for majorityrule and independence.

A Lesson from the US In the summerof 1964, civil rightsworkers Andrew Goodman Michael Schwerner, and James Chaney were involved in the “Freedom Summer” cam-

There s a certain remove andimmaturity to thosewho refusetohelp choosethe nation s elected representatives; those who expect othersto makethe tough decisionson everything fromcrime tothe economy tohealthcare, while they disengage from the political process. Often, thesesame individuals have much to say on issuesofpublicpolicy,while refusing toexercise abasic right for whichmany have fought anddied, andfor which manyare stillstrug-

cious racism of the state is well-documented and involved lynching, blood, and human degradation.

This registration effort was a part of contesting over 70 yearsof lawsand practices that supporteda systematicpolicy of disenfranchisement of potential black voters by several southern states that began in 1890,” according to Wikipedia.

Goodman and Schwerner, white Americans from NewYork City,and

Giveus theballotand we will placejudges on the benches of the South who willdo justlyand lovemercy

Giveus theballotand wewill quietlyandnon-violently,withoutrancourorbitterness,implement theSupremeCourt's decisionof May 17, 1954.

In2017, asmallgroup of Bahamianscried “Give ustheballot andletusspoil it because we don’t like our choices.”

It was aprofoundly immatureresponse.Acampaign tospoil ballotswouldmake sense indictatorial regimes likethe formerSovietsatellites in Eastern Europe. But such a campaignis reckless and juvenile in a democracy.

Often ina democracy choices are less than ideal. This is when we must dig even deeperinto thewellspring of possibilities and find creative responses to the times.

Apathy makes matters worse. It’sa giftto those politicians and autocrats determinedto suppressvoter turnoutinordertowieldeven greater power.

whereabouts were unknown. Hiswife,CorettaScottKing, fearedfor theworseand reachedouttomanypolitical officials, includingthe Eisenhower administration.

Because of the racial politicsofthetime,however, Democratic presidential contender JohnF. Kennedy gamedhowtorespondtothe callforhelp. Heandhis brother, Robert,reached out to ScottKing andlent their assistance toensure the safety of Dr. King.

Grateful forthe assistance,Dr. Kingandother civil rightsleaders lenttheir supporttoKennedy spresidentialbid inturn. Thismay have helped to tip the razorthin contest infavour of Kennedy, who narrowly defeated Republican Richard Nixon.

volvementof policeofficials, helped securethe passageof the 1965 VotingRights Act. Thedramaticexpansionofthe number of black Americans registered to votewas critical to the organizing strategy of US CivilRights movementof the 1950s and 60s.

A Lasting Affect

Achieving votingrights wasanend initself.Itwas also instrumentalin making peopleaware thatpolitical power could be used to force otherchanges andhelp

“So long asI do not firmlyandirrevocablypossess the right to vote I do not possess myself,” Dr Kingargued. I cannot makeup my mind it is made up for me. I cannot live asa democratic citizen, observingthe lawsI have helpedto enact I can only submit tothe edict of others.

In possession of such a right and responsibility, arguingfora massspoilingof the ballotwas anirresponsible digto thosewhose an-

Votingmatters, bothas ahard-earned civilrightand asameansofpoliticalpower for theelectorate. Theballot isan extraordinaryinstrumentof citizenship,representing variousdemocratic values.

Thosewho refusetoexercise theirright tovote because ofcavalier, unreflective, orill-conceived reasons, doa disserviceto the witnessof Bahamian

Those who refuse to exercise their right to vote because of cavalier, unreflective, or ill-conceived reasons, do a disservice to the witness of Bahamian freedom fighters

achieveracial equalityand social justice.

At aprayer breakfastin 1957in WashingtonDC,Dr. Martin LutherKing spokeof thepoweroftheballot.Hisremarks weretitled, “Give Us the Ballot.”

Giveus theballotand we will no longer have to worry thefederal government about our basic rights .

Giveus theballotand

cestorsyearned forsucha right.

Making of a President

It sdifficult formanyto recallthat blackAmericans wereonce moresupportive ofthe RepublicanParty,the party ofLincoln, andmore suspiciousoftheDemocratic Party, particularly southern Democrats.

During the 1960 presidential election,Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.was arrested in the south. Fora time, his

menand womenfreedom fighters, suffragettes, and protestorsaroundtheworld today and in the past, for whomthe righttovote isa democratic giftnot tobe taken lightly, nor for granted. Though imperfect and oftenwanting, voting is essential inour democracy.

Those who live in Golden Islesshould exercise thisright andlettheir collective voice be heard.

Democrats “hold serve” in US elections

Tuesday wasElection Dayin

the US.While cablenews pundits were all atwitter – election day for them islike a category five hurricanefor TheWeather Channel – did the results show us anything we didn t already know?Well,yesandno.Butthe contests in New York City, New Jersey,Virginia andCalifornia were indisputably important. There were elections for governor inVirginia andNew Jersey. Democraticwomen won bothcontests, withease. InVirginia, theDems rolledup big margins as theygarnered the three statewide posts on the ballot and made significant gains in the state legislature. In New Jersey, the Democrats held thestatehouseaswaswidelyexpected.The marginofvictory there was also impressive. But so what?These have both been basicallyblue states in recent years and their political demographicshave followedthe patternforDemocratic Party success: Population centres become Democratic strongholds, with outlying rural areastrendingredbutwithadecisive numerical disadvantage. In both gubernatorial contests,theDemocraticcandidates were pragmatic, no-nonsense womenwhohavebothservedin the Houseof Representatives and brought withthem impressiveintelligenceand/ormilitarybackgrounds. Thisisnot the current Republican template forwomen inhigh office.No Barbiedoll, formerFoxNews readers in thisgroup. No startlinglyunqualified blondehottiesherewhoseflashylooksand allegiance to their partyleader are their onlyidentifiable quali-

fications for the jobs they hold. The Future Looks Female Both Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill are married withchildren, andthey lookvery muchlike thefuture of the Democratic Party (and maybe, sometimein coming years, the future of the US as well.) Sherrill and her husband met whileboth were atthe US Naval Academy. Spanberger was an actual CIA agent. As nations all aroundthe world continue tochoose womenastheir chief executive officers--including notably Mexico in recent times--the USpersists in lagging behind.

InVirginia,voterschosetheir firstfemalegovernorinthe250year historyof thestate. Democrats also claimed victory in the racesfor lieutenantgovernor and attorney general. The AG racewas noteworthybecause the winner,an African-American manwhose intemperate 2022 textsabout anopponent were cleverly exhumedby the Republicans inmid-October, nonethelessprevailedbyacomfortable margin. He is the first black attorneygeneral ina state that servedas the capitalof the Confederacy duringthe US Civil War.

TheRepublicannomineesfor governorinboth statestriedto align with Donald Trump, but hissupportwas tepid.Thepresidentisaprettygoodassessorof howvotes willgo,and hesaw as well as anyone that neither of theseGOP candidateswas likelytowin.Inthesetworaces, whosesignificance wasmagnified becausethey werethe only governor races on the ballot, it s

safe to say only that the Democrats “held serve.”

And In The Big Apple . . . In New York City, an avowed socialist prevailed easilyto become the Big Apple’s next mayor.Zohran Mamdanidefeated former NewYork governor Andrew Cuomo, whose father wasa long-timeEmpire State governor and who became thedefault candidateofa motley crew of Mamdani haters,including Trump.Mamdani,a USand Ugandancitizen born in Ugandato Indian filmmakerMira NairandIndianUgandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani, isMuslim. Bothparents are preeminent in their fields and hold Harvarddegrees.

While Trump and others tried toportrayMamdani asa Communist’andleft-wingextremist, there isa widespreadconsensus among politicalscientists that his policies aresimilar to those pursued by mainstream centreleft partiesin otherdeveloped democracies. Muslim mayor Sir Sadiq Khan,whose parents were both Pakistani immigrants tothe UK,hasbeen mayorof London since 2016.

Mamdani s wife is an accomplished illustrator and influentialartist. SheisSyrian-American and wasborn in Houston, Texas. This very photogenic,

easy-to-identify-with young couple shouldbe factorsin American politics foras long as theycan toleratebeing so.Take alookat theirweddingand campaign pictures online. They’repretty cute.Andthey certainly don t look like bombthrowers.

Meanwhile, Mamdani will nowbecome chiefexecutivein America’slargest citythatis also home to almost one million Jews,and whereanestimated 10 percent of the world s Jews reside. There’severy chance that his electionwill showcase American inclusivenessand its potentialforpeacefulethnicand racialcoexistence duringanera whereTrump hasledthe country toemphasize opposite characteristics.

California Dreamin’

While these were all significantdevelopments, themost consequential mighthave happened inCalifornia. There, Democratic governor Gavin Newsom spearheaded a successful effort to persuade voters topassProposition 50,aninitiative known asthe "Election RiggingResponse Act."Thisis a Californiaconstitutional amendmentthat wouldallow the stateto usea newlegislature-drawncongressionalmap for elections from2026 through the 2030, instead of the one drawn bythe nonpartisanCalifornia Citizens Redistricting Commission. Democratscontrol the state legislature in California even as do the Republicans in Texas.This initiative was a direct, pointed response

to recentredistricting machinations in that state. Congressional redistricting is typically doneonce every10 years, toreflect population changes recordedby thatyear s USCensus. Redrawingvoting linesinthemiddleofthedecade totryto engineerelectiongains is "a new strategy that is pushingboundaries thathaven't beenpushed before,” an elections expert told the BBC.

"Regardless ofwhether it's Democratsor Republicans,this is just not good for our republic in thelong term,"said Erik Nisbet,a professoratNorthwestern University. "Thequestion nowis wheredoes this stop? It'spolitical sabotageto our democracy."

A yes votein California meantthestate wouldusethe new mapsstarting in2026 until thestate sCitizensRedistricting Commission drawsnew maps following the 2030 U.S. Census. More thanfive million Californians voted yes, and Newsom & companynow have a mandate toredraw California housedistrictsto shutoutRepublicans. The state’s Pacific Ocean coast is where most Californianslive,and it’s mostly blue already. Theagricultural CentralValley ismoreconservative, and the rural, mountainous northeastof thestate might aswell bein eastern Oregon, Idaho or Wyoming.

It’s hopelessterritory forliberals.

Butsome expertsarealready theorizing that the Democrats could, becauseof demographics, jerrymander the state so theGOP wouldget totally shut out ofCongress. California,asthe largestUSstate, has 52 seats in the US Congress of 435 (that’s 12percentofthe entireHouse!) Presently,onequarterofthose seatsareheld byRepublicans. It’s doubtful

the Republicanscould manipulate redistricting for similar gains in stateslike Texas, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina where they havegained a similarmandatetojerrymanderdistricts.

Analysts believe the total GOP gain fromthose efforts wouldn’t exceednine seats. Let ssay Newsomeandthe Californialegislaturemanageto flip10of thecurrent13GOP seats with their own jerrymandering.TheGOPcouldseeanet loss in 2026 from all the manoeuvring this year! Newsom worked forhis result.Amonth ago,hiscampaign sentout thismessage: Trump is threateningto end mail-in votingwhile sending ICE agentsto our events.If this keepsup,there isachanceRepublicansredistrict inTexas, Ohio,Missouri andmoreand welose(on Prop50)inCalifornia.This wouldbasically lock in a Republican House majorityfor theforeseeablefuture.

After the Prop50 vote success, Newsomexulted, butwith caution: “This was not just about drawing lines on a map, it wasaboutholding thelineon what makes us who we are. But none of us can be naive. Donald Trumpunderstands hisposition and unpopularity,so hewill continue to workto rig the midterm electionsbefore one singlevote iscast. They arenot screwing around.” Newsom is,very convenientlyasit turnsout,termlimited asgovernor. Hecannot run againnextyear.Beingoutofoffice is oftenveryadvantageous when runningfor president: Thereisnoregularjobtoignore while campaigning and no decisions to beheld accountable for.

Did Tuesday selections set thetablefor bluesuccessona national scale?

Coleby-Davis: Inactive plates skews

Road Traffic revenue intakes

RECALL from page one

not been done for years. She said the audit was also prompted by high demand from people applying for new plates.

“Cleaning up the inactive plates in the system helps us to be able to address some of the areas where we see potential shortfalls in our finance,” she said.

She noted that revenue at the Road Traffic Department is sometimes “skewed” because calculations are based on all plates issued, without being aware

of the inactive ones. She clarified that it is not that the government is failing to collect revenue, but that many plates are simply not being utilised. The Ministry of Energy and Transport said its audit identified 783 inactive plates in New Providence and Grand Bahama. Any taxi or livery plate with no activity for six months or more, due to delinquency or the death of the franchise holder, is considered inactive.

Effective November 30, under Section 69 (1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act (as amended) and in accordance

Minister of Energy and Transport,

Tourism Ministry, Carnival in talks to boost visitor traffic beyond Celebration Key

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter

TOURISM Minister Chester Cooper said his ministry is exploring ways with Carnival to encourage visitors to venture beyond Celebration Key and increase spend at local businesses after some owners reported a sharp decline in visitors since the attraction site opened.

“We are on an ongoing basis analysing how we can work together with tour operators, with the cruise lines and the various chambers of commerce across the country to ensure there's a win,” he told reporters yesterday.

The push to boost visitor spending at local businesses follows reports from tour operators of declining foot traffic and bookings, leaving many struggling to stay afloat.

Many local businesses had expanded their operations in anticipation of the new port opening. However, instead of seeing an increase in customers, they have experienced a significant decline.

Owners acknowledged that while Celebration Key is a positive development for Grand Bahama, the economic impact on independent operators has been greater than expected.

with the proclamation made by the Minister of Energy and Transport during the 2025/2026 Budget debate, the Controller of the Road Traffic Department will recall all taxi and livery plates inactive for six months or more.

Bahamas Taxicab Union president Tyrone Butler said the government should have considered recalling inactive plates before issuing hundreds of new ones “recklessly” a few years ago. According to reports, between June and July 2022 the Ministry of Transport and Housing issued 580 taxi

plates. Mr Butler said the transportation industry has been oversaturated with plates since then. He added that many operators began leasing their plates to others, but when the market proved too small, many became inactive.

He said some plates belong to retired or deceased holders and that he supports the government recalling those. However, he believes people should still be allowed to update their plates if necessary. He estimated that about 90 percent of the inactive

plates belong to taxi drivers.

Bahamas Livery Drivers Union president Tory Austin praised the ministry for the recall, calling it “a long time coming.” He said his union was aware of the audit process and was not surprised by the number of inactive plates.

“There are a lot of people who are trying to get in this industry, who are trying to make a living for their families,” he said. “But unfortunately, because the market seems so saturated, we need to find out who’s actually active in the workplace.”

The group had previously met with industry stakeholders and Mr Cooper to discuss their concerns on the matter. Among the recommendations raised was that Carnival continue to have some of its ships call on Freeport Harbour to help drive more foot traffic to local businesses.

taxi use and also actively providing content and advertising to ensure guests know Grand Bahama extends beyond Celebration Key.

“The issue really is something that we are monitoring very closely,” he said, while calling on Bahamians to develop tourism friendly experience that would increase visitor spending. He said the ministry is working with Carnival to develop tours that promote

“Ultimately, we are working to ensure that the economic benefit of cruising to the Bahamas is maximised by Bahamians so we we want the guests to come to The Bahamas. We want them to come off the ships. We want them to stay longer on shore,” he added.

Christian Council to release statement on PLP’s decision to ratify Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@ tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander said the council will release a statement on the Progressive Liberal Party’s decision to ratify Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian for the next general election – but warned that it is “dangerous to try to put the church against politics.” The Christian Council has long opposed the expansion of the gaming industry. However, religious leaders have said little since Mr Bastian, the industry’s most prominent leader, announced his plan to enter frontline politics.

“I think it’s dangerous to try to put the church against politics, especially in political season, but what we say has to be from the majority of the churches,” Bishop Fernander said yesterday as he declined to give his personal view.

Mr Bastian said last month that he would step aside from his gaming business as he pursues elected office, declaring that he is “ready to serve” as the party finalises its candidate slate for the next general election.

He said he was confident in his ability to balance business and public service.

“I have over 20 companies,

But Bishop Fernander warns that it is ‘dangerous to try to put the church against politics’

and I’m only the CEO of one,” he said.

“I didn’t build my businesses by myself. I have more than competent teams to ensure continuity in those businesses. I’m here to serve. I have a higher purpose now, and I’m going to focus on that. So, I’m not worried about that.” Under Section 25 of the Gaming Act, Cabinet ministers, their spouses, and immediate relatives are barred from holding gaming licences or having any ownership or financial interest in a licensed operation. Prime Minister Philip Davis has said the government will not amend the law.

Mr Bastian, who has received the endorsement of outgoing Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears, has outlined plans to establish a community impact centre, promote affordable housing, and address the high cost of living.

Archbishop Drexel Gomez lying in repose

Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

DIVIDED JEWISH LEADERS REACT WITH WARNINGS AND HOPE AS NEW YORK ELECTS ITS FIRST MUSLIM MAYOR

NEW YORK Associated Press

WITHIN hours of Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York’s first Muslim mayor, the Anti-Defamation League, which combats antisemitism, launched an initiative to track policies and personnel appointments of the incoming administration, part of a swift and harsh reaction from his Jewish critics.

The ADL said Wednesday the goal is to “protect Jewish residents across the five boroughs during a period of unprecedented antisemitism in New York City.”

Mamdani’s main rival, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, received about 60% of the Jewish vote, according to the AP Voter Poll, after a campaign that highlighted Mamdani’s denunciations of Israel and kindled debate over antisemitism. About 3-in-10 Jewish voters supported Mamdani, the AP poll said.

A conservative pro-Israel newspaper, The Jewish Voice, depicted the city’s Jewish community — the largest in the U.S. — as fearfully bracing for an “exodus.” The two top leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations labeled Mamdani’s election “a grim milestone.”

Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL’s national director, said Mamdani has “associated with individuals who have a history of antisemitism, and demonstrated intense animosity toward the Jewish state.”

“We are deeply concerned that those individuals and principles will influence his administration at a time when we are tracking a brazen surge of harassment, vandalism and violence targeting Jewish residents and institutions,”

Greenblatt added. Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the centrist pro-Israel group J Street, criticized the ADL and Conference of Presidents statements as he called for efforts to bridge divisions. “The fearmongering we have seen from some Jewish institutions and leaders surrounding Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is harmful, overblown and risks needlessly deepening divisions in the city and in our community,” Ben-Ami said. “Our community’s responsibility now is to engage constructively with the mayor-elect, not to sow panic or to demonise him.” Israel-Hamas war was a key election issue

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani was steadfast in his criticism of Israel’s military conduct in Gaza, depicting it as genocide targeting Palestinians. But he welcomed Jewish supporters to his campaign, denounced the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, and denied suggestions from Cuomo that he was insufficiently opposed to antisemitism.

“We will build a City Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism,” Mamdani declared at his victory celebration.

He reiterated that commitment again Wednesday

in his first news conference since winning election, touting his plan to increase funding for hate crime prevention. “I take the issue of antisemitism incredibly seriously,” he said. Mamdani has described his pro-Palestinian views as “central” to his belief in a “universal system of human rights.” But it was Cuomo who sought to make the race a referendum on Israel — a strategy that some Democratic strategists say backfired as the war in Gaza shifted public views. Leaders of the Reform Movement, representing the largest branch of U.S. Judaism, issued a nuanced statement after Mamdani was declared winner of

what they called a “deeply polarizing campaign.”

“In this moment, we urge the Jewish community to help lower the temperature, listen generously, and take steps to promote healing,” the statement said. “We will hold the new mayor accountable to his commitments to protect Jewish communities and all New Yorkers, to confront antisemitism and every form of hate, and to safeguard civil rights and peaceful expression.”

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, urged Mamdani and Jewish leaders to work toward a common goal of “a strong, safe and inclusive city in which Jewish and all New Yorkers can thrive.”

“This was an election in which Jews became a political football — which did nothing to advance Jewish or any community’s safety,” Spitalnick said. “Rather, in so many ways, this election was used to validate the worst instincts and fears on both extremes.”

Among the Jewish groups elated by Mamdani’s win were IfNotNow, which has organized protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, and Bend The Arc: Jewish Action, which describes itself as a progressive Jewish advocacy group.

“Throughout this election, Donald Trump, Andrew Cuomo, as well as far too many out-oftouch Jewish leaders sought to weaponise antisemitism to divide Jews from our fellow New Yorkers,” IfNotNow said.

“As Zohran faced an onslaught of Islamophobia, we organized our Jewish communities and refused to succumb to that fearmongering.”

Jamie Beran, CEO of

Bend the Arc, said the group “endorsed Zohran because we know a strong democracy is what keeps Jews the safest.”

“We plan to take this playbook to cities and towns across the nation and work with our Jewish communities to bridge divisions, see through smokescreens and take back Congress.”

Mamdani will need to prove himself to some A Hasidic Jewish civic leader, Zalman Friedman, had a mixed assessment of Mamdani’s win.

“We are disappointed, and we are hopeful that he will make life better and not worse,” said Friedman, a board member of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council and part of the ChabadLubavitch community that is prominent in that Brooklyn neighbourhood. Friedman said he’s wary of big-government solutions that Mamdani may promote, and hopes the new mayor focuses on public safety, lowering housing costs and supporting government funding for Jewish religious schools.

“We are resilient and resourceful and, thank God, we do have a lot of friends all over the world,” he said. “We will survive this and we will thrive.” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, one of the nation’s most prominent Jewish politicians, said he’s not comfortable with some of Mamdani’s comments on Israel.

“I’ve expressed that to him personally. We’ve had good private communications,” Shapiro said. “I hope, as he did last night in his victory speech, that he’ll be a mayor that protects all New Yorkers and tries to bring people together.”