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CCA URGED TO PAY UP $1.7BN

D’Aguilar: Govt should ‘stand on the side of person that is right’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER Baha Mar director yesterday urged the Government “to stand on the side of the person that is right” while demanding the project’s contractor “do the honourable thing” and pay Sarkis Izmirlian some $1.7bn.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, who

sat on the project’s Board under the original developer prior to its ill-fated Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing, told Tribune Business that China Construction America (CCA) and its affiliates should bring “this whole sad process” dating back almost ten years to an end rather than mount a fresh legal appeal.

STORY ON BAHAMAS S TRIPING contract ‘doesn’t add up’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE government’s explanation for why the Prime Minister intervened to place a $183m west Grand Bahama roadworks contract on hold “doesn’t cut the mustard”, the Opposition’s chairman argued yesterday. Dr Duane Sands, speaking out after the Government confirmed a controversial contract destined for Bahamas Striping was never awarded or approved said that “the story doesn’t add up” given that IDB’s private sector financing arm was due to discuss at Board level providing $22m in financing for the project on April 29, 2025.

Bahamian man ‘believed to be’ wrongly named in US drug trafficking case

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

UNITED States federal prosecutors believe they named the wrong man in a cocaine trafficking case that has grabbed local headlines,

mistakenly identifying a Bahamian as the target in a trafficking scheme allegedly involving several Bahamians. Theodore Nathaniel Adderley, aka “Blue”, is among 11 Bahamians named in a federal

indictment unsealed last year, accusing them of playing key roles in a transnational cocaine trafficking operation that facilitated the flow of drugs into the US.

‘We don’t Want Vaughn miller to run again’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL Golden Isles residents, including longtime Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporters, say they do not want Vaughn Miller to seek re-election, citing broken promises, neglect, and a lack of youth support in the community.

Residents expressed frustration to The Tribune yesterday over what they described as years of decline and unmet expectations. They said Mr Miller, who now serves as Minister of the Environment, had been underwhelming, even when first elected under the

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner

Shanta Knowles yesterday defended the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s public reporting practices after officials failed to include an alleged rape involving a US tourist in recent official crime reports.

“We don’t hold information back from the public,” she said yesterday. “We make sure that everything that

GOLDEN Isles MP Vaughn Miller.

BAHA Mar resort on West Bay Street in Nassau.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

PHA director unclear over number of working ambulances

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A DAY after Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville rejected claims that only three ambulances are operational in New Providence, Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) managing director

Aubynette Rolle struggled to provide a definitive figure of how many are functional.

“From day to day, you will notice that some of the ambulances are down. I cannot give you a fixed number of what’s working,” Dr Rolle said yesterday, adding: “You’ll find this evening, based on what’s going on, it may not.”

Several Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, told The Tribune that only three ambulances — including a recently acquired model — are currently in operation in the capital. They claimed the remaining units are out of service, leaving New Providence unable to meet emergency transport needs.

However, Dr Darville dismissed these claims on Monday, calling them exaggerated. He said between seven and nine ambulances are in service and explained that some seemingly inactive vehicles are reserved for deployment to the Family Islands as part of the EMT training programme.

Responding to questions about the conflicting numbers, Dr Rolle described the matter as “difficult” to answer definitively.

She spoke during a press conference about a new training initiative for Royal Bahamas Police Force officers from the Family Islands, which aims to teach them how to drive ambulances and help ease the manpower shortage in those areas.

Dr Rolle noted that, as of yesterday morning, the number of operational ambulances ranged between “three to four” and “seven to nine”.

In some cases, ambulances originally designated for the Family Islands are used in New Providence.

She explained that because ambulances are in service 24/7, it is difficult to find time for routine maintenance. Ageing vehicles and mechanical issues also contribute to downtime.

She said maintaining the fleet through its dealer, Friendly Ford, has been a challenge.

When PHA is unable to meet demand, Dr Rolle said officials turn to private providers such as Doctors Hospital, the Bahamas Red Cross, Oak Tree Medical, and others.

She also stressed the need for better public education on how the emergency response system operates. The system is run through the police control centre, where officers answer calls and transfer them to dispatchers. In some instances, officers speak directly with callers.

She said the goal is to ensure responders can tell patients or family members that an ambulance will arrive — even if there’s a

delay — rather than saying no ambulance is available at all.

Last September, the Ministry of Health imported 14 ambulances purchased for $1.4m through an InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) loan. The Spain-based vehicles have drawn criticism from EMTs, who say the units are too small to hold essential equipment or accommodate larger patients. They also reported ongoing mechanical issues, including faulty emergency lights, electrical problems, and malfunctioning brakes. One larger ambulance was reportedly pulled from service after its brakes failed during a response.

Dr Rolle acknowledged some flaws in the model but said officials replaced parts even in vehicles that were not experiencing issues to prevent future problems. She said that just like computers or cars sometimes have issues, ambulances can, too.

Although the ambulances were intended for the Family Islands, some remain in New Providence due to critical needs. Dr Rolle said EMTs have not submitted any written complaints besides concerns about mechanical problems.

Meanwhile, Dr Darville said EMTs at the conference were invited to share their concerns, but they did not speak publicly. He added that he and Dr Rolle will travel to Geneva in May to continue procurement efforts for additional ambulances.

PHA launches programme to train police to operate ambulances on Family Islands

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

FACED with a longstanding shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) on the Family Islands, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) has launched a programme to train police officers and reserves to operate ambulances and assist with critical medical care.

In partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the initiative aims to fill urgent staffing gaps that have left many islands struggling to respond to medical emergencies. Seventeen officers have been selected for cross-training, with some arriving in New Providence this week to begin instruction.

During a press conference yesterday, PHA managing director Aubynette Rolle said police officers were a natural fit for the role due to their

training in both defensive and offensive driving.

“It’s not as simple as people jumping in the ambulance,” Dr Rolle said.

“We have to be concerned about the patients. We have to be concerned about the driver, and we also have to be concerned with persons on the road.”

The 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operations training programme includes a full day of lectures followed by a second day of hands-on exercises at a driving range.

Officers will be taught how to inspect ambulances, avoid collisions, and prioritise patient and road safety. Dr Rolle said the goal is for trained officers to respond to calls when EMTs are unavailable, allowing medical staff to remain in the back of the ambulance to stabilise patients en route.

“The intent is that whenever there’s an emergency until there is a trained EMT, those volunteers who are trained now will be able

to move through the community in the ambulance,” she said, “which will now allow the nurse and the physician to be in the back of the ambulance to take care of the patient, so that the patient is being stabilised all the way until they reach the clinic.”

Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville called the shortage of EMTs one of the country’s greatest medical challenges, noting that recruiting and retaining qualified personnel remains difficult. He said training officers on the Family Islands is essential to closing care gaps and ensuring timely emergency response. The second phase of the programme, beginning April 22, will focus on training new EMTs through the PHA Academy. Officials are currently reviewing applicants. Once certified, EMTs will also assist in clinics when not on call, Dr Rolle said.

Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles said she was contacted by the PHA about four weeks ago regarding the shortage. She supported the initiative, especially because many reserve officers live on the islands they will serve. She stressed that officers must be able to act during medical emergencies, particularly when lives are at risk.

Officers from Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, and Abaco are included in the initial training phase. Dr Rolle said the long-term goal is to train emergency drivers on all Family Islands, depending on the availability of ambulances. She noted that acquiring new ambulances has been slow, with some taking up to 18 months to arrive due to global supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the programme develops, officials hope to expand the training to New Providence.

OFFICIALS including Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe KC, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville and Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) managing director Aubynette Rolle stand next to an ambulance on the driving course during the launch of an EMS training programme at the Police Training College yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

PHA MANAGING DIRECTOR AUBYNETTE ROLLE

‘We don’t want Vaughn Miller to run again’

Free National Movement (FNM). Still, they gave him a second chance in 2021 after senior PLP leaders campaigned for him and urged voters to support his re-election.

“I don’t really think it’s fair for him to come back for a third term and to do the same thing,” said a man who identified himself as Tyler, a longtime resident and PLP supporter who once campaigned with Mr Miller. “He have a big post where he’s in charge of environmental, yeah, and, and you can look at the community and see there’s nothing being done inside this community.”

At Bacardi Road Park, residents pointed to broken fences, cracked walls, and overgrown grass as proof of neglect. They said Mr Miller campaigned on promises to fix infrastructure, clear bushes, and build new recreational spaces — none of which, they claimed, had

materialised. Some now refer to the minister by a new nickname: “The lying pastor.”

“They saying he’s a lying pastor, because he telling the people one thing and then showing them another thing, and that doesn’t look good. It doesn’t look good for a man of God,” Tyler said. He raised safety concerns about uncut roadsides, claiming overgrowth had turned two-way streets into single-lane hazards. As Minister of the Environment, Mr Miller has largely kept a low profile, with reporters often directing questions to junior minister Zane Lightbourne instead, doubting they will reach him or receive a substantive response.

Some of the frustration surrounding him is not new. Ahead of the 2021 election, several PLP supporters in Golden Isles told The Tribune they feared he would lose the seat for the party. At the time, he

admitted he had not been as visible as he wanted to be and acknowledged that transitioning from the Free National Movement to the PLP had posed challenges in serving constituents effectively.

Residents said they feel voiceless under him and now support aspiring FNM candidate Brian Brown, who they claim is more active in the community.

Some lifelong PLP voters said they would rather support Mr Brown than back Mr Miller again.

Jacob, another longtime resident, said people are tired of empty promises. Other men nearby nodded in agreement. One, in a moment of dark humour, remarked that things had gotten so hard under Mr Miller’s watch that he had “almost turned to coke.”

“The people are tired of the MPs pissing on them and telling them it’s rain,” Jacob said. “We can’t fall for these lies anymore. We are fed up.

“Plenty of the young man aren’t working and if you give some of the senior men in the community contracts, it could help feed younger fellows in the community. That’s why a lot of crime is being committed.”

Another resident, who goes by the name Juggle, said he also wants Mr Miller gone. He claimed he struggles every day to make ends meet without a job. He believes the constituency office could play a greater role by providing more supplies and serving as a recreational space for elderly residents.

Residents also renewed calls for a fire station in the constituency, citing the frequency of seasonal fires. They said Mr Miller had once promised to hire locals as forest rangers to monitor the area, but nothing came of it.

“If you’re the MP or in the government, I think

that’s one of the most important things that needs to be down here right now,” said one longtime resident who asked not to be named. “But I don’t think he’s the man for the job right now.”

The Tribune also visited residents along Bacardi Road, including members of the Johnson family — said to be the largest in the community and owners of much of the land.

Mr Johnson, a longtime PLP supporter who is partially blind, said Mr Miller has done nothing for their family, despite their loyalty at the polls. He said his niece, who holds a degree in environmental science, and his nephew have both been seeking work, but their appeals for help have gone unanswered.

Their home’s roof is also in need of repairs, but no help has been offered, he said.

“I’ll give (Lincoln) my

vote before I vote for him again,” Mr Johnson said.

“From Brave walk him through, that was it. He never even been here and Brave know me personally. I am staunch PLP. I am a general and with Frank Smith, I worked with them for years.”

His relative, known in the area as “Mama” Johnson, also voiced frustration as she drove through the area. When asked about the MP, she had just one word: “Useless.”

“He’s hopeless. That man ain’t making no kind of sense. He’s a waste of time,” she said.

Many PLP supporters in the constituency now favour Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis, the party’s former standard bearer for the area. Mr Halkitis was nominated in St Barnabas during the last election but lost to FNM MP Shanendon Cartwright.

New migration report says thousands of Bahamians have sought asylum

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THOUSANDS of Bahamians have sought refuge abroad, with 2,742 officially registered as refugees or asylum seekers, according to a new regional migration report by the International Organization for Migration.

The report, which tracks migration trends across 21 English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries, shows 175

GB

Bahamian nationals classified as refugees and 2,567 as asylum seekers. However, the data offers no detail on where these people are located, why they left, or what circumstances led to their claims for protection. While other sections of the IOM report highlight country-specific profiles for vulnerable populations, including Venezuelan, Haitian, and Cuban migrants, there is no corresponding analysis for Bahamian asylum seekers.

landlord shot dead after attempting to collect rent

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A GRAND Bahama

landlord was shot dead on Monday after attempting to collect rent, marking the island’s first murder for the year. The shooting occurred shortly after 5pm at Ludford Drive area, where the victim was found unresponsive with gunshot injuries at the rear of a residential property.

A man, who is believed to be employed at a local hotel, has been arrested and is assisting police with their investigations.

Superintendent Nicholas Johnson, the officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, said police know the

identity of the victim which is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

He reported that the police control room received a call of a male being shot at Ludford Drive.

Mr Johnson said a team of officers, along with EMS, responded to the scene, where they were directed to the rear of an apartment complex.

“The body of a male was seen lying on the ground. On examination, it appeared the male was suffering from gunshot injuries to the body,” he said.

Mr Johnson said EMS examined the male and found no signs of life. He said an investigation is underway to determine who is responsible.

The report confirms The Bahamas remains a key destination for migrants in the region. As of mid-2024, the country hosted 67,493 international migrants — 17 percent of the national population. Haitians account for the largest share, with 17,735 people, followed by Americans (5,325) and Jamaicans (2,582).

Between 2021 and 2024, The Bahamas forcibly returned 7,721 Haitian nationals, according to data collected at border

points by IOM Haiti. Of those deported, 61 percent had been employed in the construction sector prior to their removal, while 12 percent had been working in skilled or technical jobs. The majority were returned alone, without family members.

At the time of deportation, 67 percent of people had been employed, and 20 percent were selfemployed. According to post-deportation interviews, 87 percent of those

returned from The Bahamas intended to leave Haiti again within six months, citing economic necessity.

The Bahamas also plays a central role in money being transferred between nations in the region. In 2023, migrants in The Bahamas sent $261m abroad — the secondhighest remittance outflow in the Caribbean. Much of that money is believed to support households in Haiti, Jamaica, and the United States.

In contrast, the country received only $42m in incoming remittances, making it a net exporter of funds. Outflows represented 1.8 percent of The Bahamas’ GDP.

The IOM report also notes that The Bahamas is home to 736 Cuban nationals and five Venezuelans considered part of the region’s vulnerable migrant population. These people often live without secure legal status or long-term support systems.

RESIDENTS complained that conditions in Golden Isles have not improved unerd Vaughn Miller. Photos: Nikia Charlton

Senator calls recent rise in suicides ‘scary’ and a ‘national crisis’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

SENATOR Darren Pickstock has described the recent rise in suicides as “scary” and a “national crisis” that requires “urgent attention and action”, warning the country could be on pace to reach a record number of cases if current trends continue.

He said the nation must shift its approach to addressing mental health, pointing to the social stigma that often surrounds suicide and those affected by it.

Tribune records show six suicides were reported in the first three months

of 2025 — matching the total for all of 2023 and only two fewer than the eight reported in 2024.

Mr Pickstock said the current pace of cases is “unfathomable and scary”.

“While there exists within some segments of Bahamian society a misunderstanding of the causes of suicides and a blanket categorisation of suicide victims as ‘weak,’ it is imperative that as a nation we move beyond stigma and misinformation to foster a culture of understanding, support, and intervention.”

He highlighted recent steps taken by the Davis administration to address mental health issues,

including the passage of the Mental Health A ct 2022, increased funding for the Crisis Centre, and the allocation of $500,000 toward the N ational Mental Health Programme. “ T hese steps are a positive movement, however, we must all play our part. We can best do this by being our brother’s and sister’s keepers and paying attention to the warning signs, such as depression and withdrawn behaviour. O ur nation cannot afford to stand by in silence. Together, let’s work to prevent the occurrence of more suicides and end the stigma associated with mental health illness in T he Bahamas.”

APPLIC ATIONS OPEN FOR BA H A M A S CLIM ATE CH A NGE YOUTH AMBA SS A DOR PROGR A MME

THE Office of the Prime Minister has opened applications for the 2025–2026 Bahamas Climate Change Youth Ambassadors Programme, a national initiative aimed at empowering young Bahamians to advocate for climate action and represent the country on the global stage.

Organised by the Climate Change & Environmental Advisory Unit (CCEAU), the programme will select two ambassadors — one male and one female — between the ages of 18 and 25. The ambassadors will serve as youth representatives in climate policy discussions, community outreach initiatives, and international forums such as COP30 in Brazil next November.

The role of a Climate Change Youth Ambassador is dynamic and impactful,” the CCEAU said in a statement.

Ambassadors will work alongside policymakers, experts, and local leaders to strengthen climate resilience and raise public awareness about the environmental challenges facing The Bahamas and other small island developing states.

Jervon Sands, a 2024–2025 ambassador, described his term as transformative. “Through those experiences, I connected and engaged with young people both at home and abroad who are committed to this work,” he said. “The role has also allowed me to gain critical knowledge and skills while representing The Bahamas internationally at crucial conferences for the future of our nation, such as SIDS4 (Antigua and Barbuda) and COP29 (Azerbaijan).”

Climate Advisor N

Charles Hamilton

emphasised that no specific degree is required to apply. “Climate change is a multidisciplinary field,” he said. “Ambassadors simply need to be passionate, hardworking, willing to learn, and able to collaborate as a team member.”

Selected applicants will gain leadership training, build professional networks, and help shape The Bahamas’ response to the global climate crisis.

The application deadline is April 22, 2025, at 1pm. Interested candidates can find details on eligibility and responsibilities by visiting the CCEAU’s social media pages @CCEAUBahamas (Instagram) and @ C2EAU (Facebook) or apply directly at rb.gy/ lxzj9b. For additional information, email youthclimatecompetition@ bahamas.gov.bs or call the CCEAU at 702-5500.

SENATOR DARREN PICKSTOCK

GOVERNOR General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt received executive members of the Bahamas China Friendship Association in a courtesy call at Government House on Monday. Pictured from left: Ian Brown, secretary; Dr Donovan Moxey, president; Dame Cynthia Pratt; Gershan Major, trustee; and Lloyd Wong, treasurer. Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS

GOVERNOR GeneralDame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt received executive members of the Agricultural Development Organization (ADO Bahamas) in a courtesy call at Government House on April 3, 2025.

Pictured from left: Philip Smith, executive chairman; Dame Cynthia Pratt; Diane Phillips; and Dr Patrick Paul.

Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS

Bahamian man ‘believed to be’ wrongly named in US drug trafficking case

Court documents state that Adderley was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charges. A Brady warning was also issued, referring to the prosecution’s constitutional duty to disclose all material, exculpatory evidence to the defence in a criminal case, regardless of whether the defendant requests it.

However, in a letter filed Monday to US District Judge Gregory H Woods, court-appointed attorney Benjamin Silverman — assigned to represent Adderley — revealed what he called an “unusual

development” after discovering that the man in custody is not Adderley, but Ulrique Jean Baptiste. According to the attorney, Jean Baptiste was arrested in the Dominican Republic on March 24, transferred to US custody on April 2, and arraigned in New York two days later. At that hearing, Jean Baptiste denied being Adderley and committing the offences, and officials at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn later confirmed his identity, presumably by using fingerprint records. Mr Silverman said he learned of the situation on

Saturday when he couldn’t locate his client. The government then informed him by email that his client was being held under the name Ulrique Jean Baptiste — not Theodore Nathaniel Adderley.

The attorney said he spoke several times with an Assistant United States attorney, who explained that the investigation involved someone known as “Blue.”

“The government indicted Theodore Nathaniel Adderley, who I understand to be a real person. The government then arrested Ulrique Jean Baptiste, who is not named in the indictment,” Mr Silverman wrote.

investigation target named “Theodore Adderley.”

However, he noted that the government had a photograph of the real Adderley, but apparently couldn’t distinguish him from Jean Baptiste.

While the government now believes Jean Baptiste is “Blue,” Silverman pointed out the problem: the grand jury indicted another man, Adderley, and described him as “Blue.”

arrested a different man than the one named in the Indictment,” he wrote.

“It is the government’s view that the person who they meant to arrest, who they knew as ‘Blue,’ is in fact ‘Ulrique Jean Baptiste,’ not the person who the grand jury voted to indict, Theodore Nathaniel Adderley.”

“It is essential to find out immediately if the grand jury even considered evidence that Ulrique Jean Baptiste, the man now under arrest, committed a crime. If it did not vote to indict Ulrique Jean Baptiste, then he must be released, and the case against him dismissed.” from page one

Prosecutors initially believed “Blue’s” real name was Theodore Nathaniel Adderley, but now acknowledge that may have been a mistake, according to the attorney.

To support this claim, Mr Silverman said the government provided a DEA report referring to an

“For this reason, there would appear to be no lawful basis to detain Ulrique Jean Baptiste, who has already been in custody for 15 days since he was arrested in the Dominican Republic on March 24.”

He said if the grand jury did not vote to indict Baptiste, the charges should be dismissed, and his client must be released.

“The government

‘Administrative error’ blamed for publishing of $183m road contract awarded to Bahamas Striping

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

A $183 MILLION roadwork contract awarded to a company affiliated with Bahamas Striping was mistakenly published due to an “administrative error” after being paused by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

The contract, which the government reported was issued to Abaco Caribbean Holding on December 18 2024 for roadwork in West Grand Bahama, was the largest of 102 contracts published by the Ministry of Finance in December, accounting for nearly all of the $193 million in awards issued that month.

However, OPM said that the contract was never awarded.

Communications Director in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Latrae Rahming, could not confirm why officials initially tried to singlesource the contract to the company.

In a statement, the OPM said the prime minister is satisfied that “no

improper intent or malfeasance occurred” but acknowledged the error in the contract’s publication.

The statement added that an internal review is ongoing: “An international financial organisation had settled a prequalification amount with a particular vendor, and the matter proceeded from there toward a conclusion. Upon this being brought to the prime minister’s attention, he instructed that the matter be set aside for further review.

“Unfortunately, that instruction was not reflected in the list that was subsequently published, which has led to regrettable confusion. The model of the vendor in question is that of a project manager. As such, the allocated funding would not have gone to a single contractor but rather to several contractors operating in Grand Bahama.”

The OPM said it had reviewed the decisionmaking process and timeline behind the contract’s listing under the Public Procurement Act.

When pressed on who authorised the listing

despite the prime minister’s intervention, Mr Rahming said he could not confirm who was responsible for the publication error.

He said the Public Procurement Act does allow for direct awards in certain cases. “Some contractors, depending on the value of the scale of work, can self mobilise, don’t rely on government funding right away. So in instances, that can be criteria for the decisionmaking process,” he said.

When asked if Abaco Caribbean Holding case met that standard, he said: “I cannot say, I don’t know. Obviously the prime minister has the matter under review; he’ll have to speak further to that issue.”

The Public Procurement Act outlines strict conditions for awarding contracts without competitive bidding. These relate to procurements under $100,000, the absence of suitable bids in a tender, exclusive supplier rights, or emergencies such as natural disasters, threats to life, or essential materials unavailable through timely competitive processes.

Mother demands justice after son found on beach dead during visit to Bahamas

HUNDREDS of participants running, jogging, and walking across The Bahamas last October has led to $74,000 being donated to several cancer care organizations.

The funds, raised during CIBC Caribbean’s 2024 Walk for the Cure, were recently presented to the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Groups of New Providence and Grand Bahama, Cancer Society of The Bahamas, the Cancer Societies of Abaco, Eleuthera, and Grand Bahama, Cancer Association of Grand Bahama and GD Sharing and Caring.

The contribution will support essential services and resources for cancer patients and their families.

During the presentation, CIBC Caribbean’s managing director, Dr Jacqui Bend, emphasized the impact of every participant’s involvement.

represents a beacon of hope for countless lives impacted by cancer. While this disease continues to present challenges, it also showcases the best in our community, showcasing our compassion and resilience.”

The event also marked the official launch of Walk for the Cure 2025, signalling CIBC Caribbean’s ongoing commitment to the fight against cancer.

Vice president of Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, Carmen Forbes, said, “If you know anybody that deals with cancer, you know that it is very expensive. When you see the love that is given towards individuals, especially survivors, that is great.”

the community.” Additionally, immediate past president of the Cancer Society, Williamson Chea, said for the nonprofit organization, “The funds go into many functions such as supporting the Cancer Caring Center where Family Island residents are housed while being treated in Nassau.”

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner

Shanta Knowles said investigators are awaiting the results of an autopsy before determining the cause of death of Dinari Mcalmont, whose body was discovered on a beach on Paradise Island early on Saturday morning.

Police were alerted shortly after 5.30am on Saturday, April 5. On arrival

at the beach, officers found an unresponsive male lying on the shoreline. Emergency Medical Services were called to the scene but found no signs of life. In an interview with Eyewitness News on Monday, Mr Mcalmont’s mother, Michelle Mcalmont, claimed her son was beaten and traumatised. She said the family was on their annual vacation and is now demanding justice as she has more questions than answers.

Yesterday, Commissioner Knowles extended condolences to the family, saying: “We pray that God would comfort them during this difficult time. We understand it is a difficult time for them, and we will certainly do our best to get answers.”

She declined to provide further details, noting that police want to ensure they have accurate information before disclosing more about the circumstances surrounding the death.

TO ALL SHAREHOLDERS

The Board of Directors of Commonwealth Bank Limited has declared an Extraordinary Dividend for Common Shares, to all shareholders of record on April 16, 2025.

Common Shares 2¢ per share

The payment will be made on April 30, 2025 through Bahamas Central Securities Depository, the Registrar & Transfer Agent, in the usual manner.

“Each step taken, and every dollar raised during Walk for the Cure

Walk for the Cure has become CIBC Caribbean’s flagship activity and one of the Caribbean’s largest cancer fundraising and educational initiatives raising over USD $4 million across the region. The funds are used primarily to assist with the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Funds raised are also used to provide assistance, care and counselling to patients and their families as well as to raise awareness, and stress the importance of early detection, through education campaigns. CIBC’s Walk for the Cure event ra Ised $74,000 for C anCer

President of GD Caring and Sharing, Duquesa Dean, added, “We do whatever we can to assist those in need and so donations from Corporate Bahamas like this one goes a real long way in helping

COMMUNI C ATIONS DIRE C TOR IN THE O FFI C E OF THE PRIME M INISTER LATRAE R AHMING

Charlene A. Bosfield Corporate Secretary

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

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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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US and Iran to talk this weekend

IRAN and the United States will hold talks in the sultanate of Oman on Saturday in an attempt to jump-start negotiations over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.

Even before the talks, however, there was a dispute over just how the negotiations would go. President Donald Trump insists they’ll be direct negotiations. However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he’d be speaking indirectly through a mediator to US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff.

The difference may seem small, but it matters. Indirect talks have made no progress since Trump in his first term unilaterally withdrew the US from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018.

Trump has imposed new sanctions on Iran as part of his “maximum pressure” campaign targeting the country. He has again suggested military action against Iran remained a possibility, while emphasizing he still believed a new deal could be reached by writing a letter to Iran’s 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei has warned Iran would respond to any attack with an attack of its own.

Here’s what to know about the letter, Iran’s nuclear program and the tensions that have stalked relations between Tehran and Washington since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Trump dispatched the letter to Khamenei on March 5, then gave a television interview the next day in which he acknowledged sending it. He said: “I’ve written them a letter saying, ‘I hope you’re going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing.’”

Since returning to the White House, the president has been pushing for talks while ratcheting up sanctions and suggesting a military strike by Israel or the US could target Iranian nuclear sites.

A previous letter from Trump during his first term drew an angry retort from the supreme leader.

But Trump’s letters to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in his first term led to face-to-face meetings, though no deals to limit Pyongyang’s atomic bombs and a missile program capable of reaching the continental US Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected direct negotiations with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program.

“We don’t avoid talks; it’s the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far,” Pezeshkian said in televised remarks during a Cabinet meeting. “They must prove that they can build trust.” Khamenei seemingly reacted to comments by Trump renewing his threat of military action.

“They threaten to commit acts of mischief, but we are not entirely certain that such actions will take place,” the supreme leader said. “We do not consider it highly likely that trouble will come from the outside. However, if it does, they will undoubtedly face a strong retaliatory strike.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei went further.

“An open threat of ‘bombing’ by a Head of State against Iran is a shocking affront to the very essence of International Peace and Security,” he wrote on the social platform X. “Violence breeds violence, peace begets peace. The US can choose the course...; and concede to

CONSEQUENCES.”

The state-owned Tehran Times newspaper, without citing a source, claimed that Iran had “readied missiles with the capability to strike US-related positions.” That’s as the US has stationed stealth B-2 bombers in Diego Garcia within striking distance of both Iran and Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, which America has been bombing intensely since March 15. Iran has insisted for decades that its nuclear program is peaceful. However, its officials increasingly threaten to pursue a nuclear weapon. Iran now enriches uranium to near weaponsgrade levels of 60%, the only country in the world without a nuclear weapons program to do so.

Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium up to 3.67% purity and to maintain a uranium stockpile of 300 kilograms (661 pounds). The last report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s program put its stockpile at 8,294.4 kilograms (18,286 pounds) as it enriches a fraction of it to 60% purity.

US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has “undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so.”

Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, has warned in a televised interview that his country has the capability to build nuclear weapons, but it is not pursuing it and has no problem with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s inspections. However, he said if the US or Israel were to attack Iran over the issue, the country would have no choice but to move toward nuclear weapon development.

“If you make a mistake regarding Iran’s nuclear issue, you will force Iran to take that path, because it must defend itself,” he said.

Iran was once one of the US’s top allies in the Mideast under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who purchased American military weapons and allowed CIA technicians to run secret listening posts monitoring the neighbouring Soviet Union. The CIA had fomented a 1953 coup that cemented the shah’s rule.

But in January 1979, the shah, fatally ill with cancer, fled Iran as mass demonstrations swelled against his rule.

The Islamic Revolution followed, led by Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and created Iran’s theocratic government.

Later that year, university students overran the US Embassy in Tehran, seeking the shah’s extradition and sparking the 444-day hostage crisis that saw diplomatic relations between Iran and the US severed. The Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s saw the US back Saddam Hussein.

The “Tanker War” during that conflict saw the US launch a one-day assault that crippled Iran at sea, while the US later shot down an Iranian commercial airliner that the American military said it mistook for a warplane.

Iran and the US have see-sawed between enmity and grudging diplomacy in the years since, with relations peaking when Tehran made the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. But Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, sparking tensions in the Mideast that persist today.

By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Look past Bain’s theatrics

EDITOR, The Tribune.

NOTHING in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity,” encapsulates a key idea: it’s not merely being uninformed that poses a risk, but being unaware of that lack. In cognitive psychology, this phenomenon resonates with the Dunning–Kruger effect, where individuals with limited expertise may overestimate their competence.

The recent buzz surrounding Lincoln Bain as a potential Prime Minister of the Bahamas in the upcoming election gives me grave cause for concern. While democracy assures every citizen — and by extension every prominent political figure — the right to express ideas and pursue leadership roles, it is incumbent upon us as voters to critically assess whether the track record and knowledge base of a candidate truly suit the responsibilities of leading our nation, especially when national policies are at stake.

Lincoln Bain’s previous forays into public commentary, most notably his platform with the Coalition of Independents, reveal an approach that is troubling when measured against the complexity of governing in today’s interconnected world. The office of the Prime Minister commands a robust understanding of economic policies, fiscal management, and monetary strategies — areas that influence every facet of our citizens’ lives. Unfortunately, it appears that Bain has repeatedly shown little grasp, and perhaps even an outright disregard, for these critical disciplines. His rhetoric, often dismissive of the intricacies inherent in economic governance, suggests a reliance on oversimplified narratives rather than deep, informed policy frameworks.

It is essential to recognise that leadership devoid of genuine understanding can be catastrophic. History teaches us that sincere ignorance and a lack of self-awareness in leadership positions can lead to disastrous policy decisions. Simplistic solutions to complex challenges rarely account for the interwoven nature of economic, social, and global factors that determine a nation’s prosperity. For instance, fiscal and monetary policies are not merely abstract concepts — they are the tools that stabilise financial markets, generate employment, and ensure the equitable distribution of resources. A leader who underestimates the importance of these tools risks not only economic downturns but also the erosion of public trust and institutional integrity. Equally alarming is the indication that Bain might be operating in a state of what can be described as “deliberate ignorance”. When a leader fails to recognise his limitations, he is likely to substitute informed judgment with ideological rigidity, filtering the complex challenges of governance through a narrow lens. This selective attention to issues, while ignoring the broader context, is particularly dangerous in a climate where misinformation can spread as rapidly as fact. Such an approach does not foster informed debate; instead, it encourages polarising rhetoric that divides citizens rather than uniting them towards common progress.

The office of the Prime Minister in The Bahamas is one fraught with challenges that require measured responses, strategic foresight, and a willingness to

engage with expert analysis. The intricacies of the global economy, trade negotiations, and fiscal sustainability demand leaders who are not only articulate but also deeply informed by economic realities. With our nation’s economy and social fabric at risk of faltering under misinformed policies, voters must conduct a thorough evaluation of any candidate’s ability to navigate these issues effectively.

The reluctance or inability to acknowledge one’s knowledge gaps is indicative of a broader failure in self-assessment and adaptability — traits that are vital in an era marked by rapid changes and unforeseen challenges. Lincoln Bain’s apparent disregard for these critical elements of effective governance raises serious questions about his suitability for the highest office in our land. The potential consequences of electing a Prime Minister with such glaring deficiencies are too grave to ignore. Ill-conceived economic policies could precipitate financial instability, undermine investor confidence, and exacerbate socioeconomic disparities.

I urge our fellow Bahamians and the broader media landscape to look beyond the theatrics of political branding and seek candidates whose proposals are supported by substantial policy expertise. Leadership is not a stage for empty rhetoric, but a platform where informed decisions help build a stable, thriving nation. In the coming election, let us place a premium on informed leadership and be wary of any candidate whose vision for the future is

on a shaky grasp of economic and fiscal realities.

ALLEN JOHNSON Freeport, Grand Bahama April 8, 2025.

founded

Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day! Email your high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net

IRA, a dog with the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps, attends a training in Col Gallina in the Italian Alps near Cortina D’Ampezzo, northern Italy, on March 25, 2025. Photo: Luca Bruno/AP

Police deny holding back information over crimes

The comments came a day after a 25-year-old was charged with raping a 23-year-old American woman near Junkanoo Beach on April 1. The incident was first reported by The Tribune last Thursday but had not appeared in the police’s daily crime summaries.

Commissioner Knowles said the matter was not immediately reported to police and the alleged victim had travelled to another island before officers could take a statement.

“I cannot say why it was not in the crime report, but what I can say to you

is that the matter was not initially reported right after the incident occurred,” she said. “We know that the victim had left the country, well had left this island and was at another cruise port in The Bahamas, and we were able to catch up with that person and take the report.”

Prosecutors allege that a man had non-consensual sexual intercourse with the woman near the popular beach. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley and was not required to enter a plea. A voluntary bill of indictment is scheduled for July 24. The alleged incident

came just days after the US Department of State updated its travel advisory for The Bahamas, citing multiple sexual assault reports involving watercraft vendors. The advisory warned that jet ski operators are poorly regulated and prohibited US government personnel from using such services on New Providence and Paradise Island.

Commissioner Knowles said police investigate all sexual assault complaints seriously, regardless of nationality.

“Whether it’s a tourist or Bahamian or a native of our island, none is held in a higher standard than the other,” she said.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 19-YEAR-OLD man was granted bail after being accused of helping a suspect in the 2023 $1.5 million airport heist evade custody. That suspect has since been killed. La-Shad Smith was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Kendra KellyBurrows on a charge of accessory after the fact to stealing. Prosecutors allege that Smith knowingly helped Micheal Fox Jr — who was a suspect in the airport theft — in evading law enforcement between 2 November 2023 and 1 February 2024. Fox, Jr, along with Oral Roberts, 34, and Akeil Holmes, 26, were named as suspects in the armed

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 49-YEAR-OLD man was remanded in custody yesterday after being accused of molesting an 11-year-old girl on two occasions last August.

Anthony Bain was arraigned on two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 57-YEAR-OLD man has denied molesting his underaged granddaughter over a four-year period.

Chief Justice Ian Winder arraigned the defendant — whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the minor — on seven counts

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 42-YEAR-OLD police officer had a rape charge against him withdrawn after being accused of sexually assaulting a 25-year-old woman in his police vehicle last year.

robbery of a bank transport vehicle at Lynden Pindling International Airport in November 2023. Roberts was fatally shot in the Fox Hill area in July last year, and Fox, Jr, was killed in May. Dino Smith was killed in January 2024. Neither he nor Fox, Jr, was formally charged before their deaths. Retired Chief Superintendent Johnson — former head of the Central Detective Unit — along with attorney Bjorn Ferguson and Sergeant Deangelo Rolle, are expected to stand trial in the Supreme Court in connection with the recordings linked to the case. Johnson is accused of stealing $90,000 from the heist proceeds. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, stealing,

Prosecutors allege that Bain had unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl — whose name is being withheld due to her age — on two occasions between August 1 and 31, 2024, in New Providence. He was informed that he was not required to enter a plea at this stage, as the matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

of incest and seven counts of indecent assault. The defendant’s wife was present during the arraignment. He is accused of having unlawful sexual intercourse with his granddaughter on seven occasions between January 1, 2019, and September 7, 2024. The alleged victim was eight years old when the offences reportedly

receiving, and accessory after the fact to stealing. Ferguson is charged with accessory after the fact to stealing, while Sergeant Rolle faces a charge of abetment to stealing.

Holmes, a former ICS Security officer, is expected to stand trial later this year on theft charges related to the airport robbery.

Smith pleaded not guilty to his charge. He was granted $2,500 bail with one or two sureties. As part of his bail conditions, he must sign in at his local police station on the first Monday of every month.

His trial is set to begin on May 26.

Smith was represented by Ryszard Humes. Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom served as the prosecutor.

Bain was also advised of his right to apply for bail through the higher court.

He will be held at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the VBI is served on June 26.

The defendant’s girlfriend appeared in court to inquire about his well-being and bail status.

Assistant Superintendent of Police S Coakley served as the prosecutor.

began and 13 at the time of the most recent incident.

During the same period, the defendant is also alleged to have indecently assaulted the child.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case has been transferred for trial before Justice Joyann FergusonPratt, with a trial date to be set on April 23.

Superintendent Kyle Capron had the charge formally dropped by Justice Franklyn Williams. Capron was initially charged in October 2024. On the day of his arraignment, he was interdicted at police headquarters and placed on half pay pending the outcome of the case. He was accused of raping a 25-year-old woman in New Providence on October 23, 2024. The officer spent one week on remand before being granted bail. Capron was represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson.

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter munnings@tribunemedia.net

A RESERVE police officer accused of beating a fourth-grade student in front of classmates is before a police tribunal, Deputy Commissioner Kirkwood Andrews said yesterday, the most concrete update to an incident that made headlines several months ago. He said the Complaints and Corruption Branch handled the complaint, investigated it, and the tribunal is currently reviewing the matter. He said a clearer update will be provided once the proceedings are complete.

He declined to give further details. The complaint was made by Chinika Louisius, who said her son came home in pain on Tuesday, January 28, after being struck multiple times by the officer at school.

She said the officer first questioned another boy about his GPA before allegedly hitting him eight times. He then accused her son of being rude and, after the boy said he didn’t know why, allegedly struck him ten times with a black police cane. Doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital confirmed tissue damage; photos showed extensive bruising.

The officer, assigned to

the Urban Renewal Division, was not employed by the school and was reportedly on campus for unrelated matters. Since the incident, Ms Louisius said her son has been transferred to another class and is in better spirits.

The case had drawn public attention and criticism over delays. Ms Louisius said it was transferred between departments before returning to the Complaints and Corruption Branch.

DCP Andrews said five newly established tribunal courts will help speed up the handling of complaints.

‘We have a responsibility to be attentive, not only to individual and familial needs, but to the needs of the collective.’

Importance of community when systems fail

SYSTEMS are failing us all the time. These system failures lead to unfavorable conditions. They affect our daily lives. They affect our wellbeing. We have been, however, trained not ignore systems and to focus on the individual. We look for the ways that an individual has done less than their best, or the ways that we ourselves have somehow contribute to the situation we find uncomfortable, dangerous, or otherwise subpar.

We have a tendency to turn on and blame one another for failures rather than being attentive to the ways that systems malfunction or, in as is often the case, successfully degrade, endanger, subjugate, and limit us and our positive life outcomes.

Last week, someone posted in a popular Facebook group about the gates at public elementary schools being closed until eight o’clock in the morning. The person raised the safety issue this causes after a child “decided to jump in front of [their] car” and they slammed on the breaks to avoid hitting the child. They referenced recent events that let us know that there are safety concerns that must be considered with regard to school-age children. The post also included a note about the children failing to listen to the security

By Alicia Wallace

guard before this change to the gate opening time was made. The issue the post raised is valid. With the school gate closed until eight o’clock, when teachers are at work, there is a significant amount of time that children are outside of the premises and without supervision. Given the traffic on the road from seven o’clock to nine o’clock in the morning, the eight and nine o’clock start times for far too many jobs, the start time for school, and the inefficiency and safety issues of public transportation, parents are often forced to drop their children to school quite early to ensure that the children get to school on time and they are on time for work. Somehow, many of the comments ignored the issue the person raised, instead casting blame on parents.

Numerous people suggested that parents think it is someone else’s responsibility to supervise their children outside of school

hours. Some referenced the disrespect and rudeness of children and the need for parents to better train and discipline their children. Others pointed out the school is not for babysitting children. A few noted that the eight o’clock opening of the gate is a Ministry of Education policy. These may all be interesting points that can explored further. The issue that remains is the inability of many parents to take their children to school at a later time or wait at the school until the gate opens. The options may be for children to miss school or to be there early, before the gate is open. It a quite common for people to respond to systemic issues by imposing a set of rules or practices, however unrealistic, on individuals. There are sometimes ways that we can improve our lives and make more options available to ourselves, but we cannot bootstrap ourselves out of poverty and the

Position Title: Senior Project Manager

Position Title: Senior Project Manager

Location: Paradise Island, Bahamas

Location: Paradise Island Bahamas

Job Summary: Responsible for the overall progress of the onsite work, as well as the management of labour, equipment, and material resources

Key Responsibili<es:

• Manage the day-to-day acCviCes on site, including managing subcontractors and direct labour tracking against schedule, and monitoring quality, and safety.

• Liaise with the logisCcs team to ensure materials, equipment and labour are on site when required

• Inventory management, check-in/receive materials, goods and equipment, ensure proper storage, and handling of all items RFI management between client team and contractors

• Work alongside design and commercial colleagues to produce work package scopes and RFPs, to be sent out to consultants and contractors

• Supervise the quality of work both by direct labour and contractors. Assist with producing regular updates for senior management and ownership.

Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership skills with prior Superintendent/Project Manager experience.

• Ability to accurately read drawings, details, secCons, plans, models, schedules etc.

• Must be IT literate and able to use MS Office suite of soPware, ability to use MS Project highly desirable

• Experience with Procore construcCon management soPware is highly desirable.

• Must be proficient in reading/wriCng/conversing in English.

• Basic first aid training and the ability to manage a medical emergency.

• Must have a valid Driver’s license

• Work a minimum of 40 hours per week plus addiConal hours as required Educa<on/Experience Required:

• University degree in ConstrucCon Management or closely related discipline Minimum of ten years progressively responsible and related experience in construcCon supervision in a UK or Caribbean contracCng environment

• Experience of marine, infrastructure, hospitality, and leisure projects.

• Caribbean and/or internaConal experience is preferenCal (but not essenCal). The ability to operate a small boat (Approx. 30P) is advantageous

• Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a staConary posiCon for long periods of Cme. Must be able to move about outdoors and on Company property to assist the wider daily operaCons of the organizaCon

• Ability to work outside all kinds of Island weather (i.e. heat, humidity, rain, wind, etc ).

• Physical liPing requires to liP and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Interested persons should submit their resume to P.O. Box SS19098

same is true for other conditions that extend beyond our personal capacity to change.

There are many who cannot afford a onebedroom apartment, not because they are unemployed, inept, or lazy, but because minimum wage is not enough money to live independently. People who are employed and unhoused do not need to be told to get jobs. They have jobs, and the problem is both the rate of pay and the incompatibility of the rate of pay with the actual cost of living. Reducing homelessness does not necessarily require job creation or helping people to find jobs, though this may be helpful for some. It requires a completely different approach to the remuneration of employees and the social services that should support people who are not paid enough to meet their basic needs. A shelter for unhoused people would be a great initiative, and it would not solve the problem. It makes for a good temporary measure while systemic changes are made.

In the case of the school gate opening at eight o’clock and the resulting situation of children being unsupervised and unsafe early in the morning, it may be useful for parents, administrations, teachers, and community members to get together and find a way to create a safe environment for the children who must be taken to school early. Opening the gate and having security to ensure only children and staff gain access may be considered ideal. Others may think there should be a “holding place” for the children before the gate opens, but this still requires adult supervision. We can think

of many ways to address this issue on site, but the root of the issue would still be there. There is a system that needs to change. School hours and work hours are not harmonised, and employers are not responsive to the needs of employees who are full human beings—not just staff, but have other responsibilities as family members and friends.

The 9-to-5 and 8-to-4 work schedule has taken root and become the standard, even in a country that is heavily dependent on the tourism industry (which requires shift work) along with other service industries. Many administrative job functions do not need to be performed during specific hours. Many businesses and customers would benefit from different open hours. There are numerous adjustments that can be made. While New Providence is not growing in size, the number of cars on the road seem to keep increasing. Traffic is a mess almost all day, every day. It takes far too long to get from one place to another, all because of the number of cars on the road at any given time (and the ways they are driven). This can be alleviated with adjustments to the work day and overall flexibility in work schedules. Everyone does not need to be at work at eight or nine in the morning. Some can begin work at ten or eleven o’clock. We can go into detail about the ways this could benefit businesses, but it is really enough to recognise the benefits to workers and their families. That, on its own, is important, but it is not reflected in workplace practices because the priority is profit. That is the rule of capitalism, of course,

Recommendations

1. Exhibition opening of Sovereign by Poinciana Paper Press and Equality Bahamas. The International Women’s Day March was held on Saturday, March 8, starting at Eastern Parade and ending at The Dundas on Mackey Street. In the lead-up to the march, artists and community members worked together to create the material that was worn and carried on the march and made available at the Expo including bandanas with a butterfly pea flower design by Margot Bethel, the cutlass woman designed by Ryan Lewis, and the bridal veil embroidered by Jessica Russell. These artists created visuals that brought life to signs and other moving pieces on the march and became symbols of the advocacy Equality Bahamas has been leading and encouraging people to join. Poinciana Paper Press has selected a set of protest signs and other material and curated an exhibition that opens on Wednesday, April 9 at 6pm. Join Equality Bahamas and Poinciana Paper Press for a fun evening, viewing the material and discussing the process and the outcomes with the artists themselves. Poinciana Paper Press is located at 12 Parkgate Road, New Providence.

2. Sunday Drive weekly mix by DJ Ampero. This is a weekly mix by Bahamian DJ Ampero who has deep love and appreciation for music and is constantly building his knowledge of music, from historical origins to emerging genres and artists. Every week, he shares a mix of music that sets a relaxing vibe for those beloved drives on a Sunday evening, lazy days at the beach, hours in the kitchen preparing family meals, and whatever else may be happening on the day that typically leads to a new work week. The mix is available on Spotify.

yet we are all living in the world, living in this country, where we could all benefit from a better ecosystem, and that begins with support for families. What needs to change with regard to the rights of workers? What do employers need to do differently? How can we make it possible for people to be as high-performing in their families as they are on their jobs? What have we accepted as normal or standard that need not be?

How can we train ourselves to think beyond the individual, resist the urge to cast blame, and set about creating solutions that can be applied at the systemic level, for the benefit of all?

As we continue to navigate the challenges of a world that is unchanging in many ways, yet changing in ways that terrify and terrorize many, it is important that we remember the importance of community. We have a responsibility to be attentive, not only to individual and familial needs, but to the needs of the collective. We, as community members, need to actively care for one another, understanding the value of human life and the necessity of combining our efforts to assess problems, create solutions, and advocate for systemic change that is the responsibility of the people we elected to represent us.

National Poetry Month

APRIL is National Poetry Month, so it is a good time to revisit favorite poems, pick up a book of poetry, or even put pen to paper to write a poem or two. To join the people participating in National Poetry Writing Month, send a message to Poinciana Paper Press on Facebook or Instagram to request an add to the WhatsApp group. The group will write a collective poem at Sovereign, the exhibition open at Poinciana Paper Press on Wednesday, April 9, at 6pm, and those in New Providence will meet at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas on Sunday, April 13, at 2pm for a field trip that includes a look at this year’s National Exhibition and writing together.

“For Nothing Is Fixed” by James Baldwin For nothing is fixed, forever, forever, forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock. Generations do not cease to be born, and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have. The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.

Scientists genetically engineer wolves like extinct dire wolf

Associated Press

THREE genetically engineered wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolves are trotting, sleeping and howling in an undisclosed secure location in the US, according to the company that aims to bring back lost species.

The wolf pups, which range in age from three to six months old, have long white hair, muscular jaws and already weigh in at around 80 pounds — on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity, researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday.

Dire wolves, which went extinct more than 10,000 years old, are much larger than gray wolves, their closest living relatives today.

Independent scientists said this latest effort doesn’t mean dire wolves are coming back to North American grasslands any time soon.

“All you can do now is make something look superficially like something else”— not fully revive extinct species, said Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University at Buffalo who was not involved in the research.

Colossal scientists learned about specific traits that dire wolves possessed by examining ancient DNA from fossils. The researchers studied a 13,000 year-old dire wolf tooth unearthed in Ohio and a 72,000 yearold skull fragment found in Idaho, both part of natural history museum collections.

Then the scientists took blood cells from a living gray

wolf and used CRISPR to genetically modify them in 20 different sites, said Colossal’s chief scientist Beth Shapiro. They transferred that genetic material to an egg cell from a domestic dog. When ready, embryos were transferred to surrogates, also domestic dogs, and 62 days later the genetically engineered pups were born. Colossal has previously announced similar projects to genetically alter cells from living species to create animals resembling extinct woolly mammoths, dodos and others. Though the pups may physically resemble young dire wolves, “what they will probably never learn is the finishing move of how to kill a giant elk or a big deer,”

because they won’t have opportunities to watch and learn from wild dire wolf parents, said Colossal’s chief animal care expert Matt James.

Colossal also reported today that it had cloned four red wolves using blood drawn from wild wolves of the southeastern US’s critically endangered red wolf population. The aim is to bring more genetic diversity into the small population of captive red wolves, which scientists are using to breed and help save the species.

This technology may have broader application for conservation of other species because it’s less invasive than other techniques to clone animals, said Christopher Preston, a wildlife expert at

the University of Montana who was not involved in the research. But it still requires a wild wolf to be sedated for a blood draw and that’s no simple feat, he added.

Colossal CEO Ben Lamm said the team met with officials from the US Interior Department in late March about the project. Interior

Secretary Doug Burgum praised the work on X on Monday as a “thrilling new era of scientific wonder” even as outside scientists said there are limitations to restoring the past.

“Whatever ecological function the dire wolf performed before it went extinct, it can’t perform those functions” on today’s existing landscapes, said Buffalo’s Lynch.

New ‘Creator’s Voice’ programme goes behind the scenes with game makers for upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games

REDMOND

Associated Press

NEW “Creator’s Voice” series from Nintendo takes you behind the scenes

The series is already underway with the article “Creator’s Voice: The Duskbloods “, featuring an interview with FromSoftware game director Hidetaka Miyazaki where he discusses preparing the recently announced game

The Duskbloods for release on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Check it out here: https://www.nintendo.com/ us/whatsnew/creators-voicethe-duskbloods-part-1/. Following the Duskbloods text article, “Creator’s Voice” will become a video series, beginning with a spotlight on Hades II coming to Nintendo Switch 2. In this bewitching sequel to the original award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler produced by Supergiant Games, players must battle beyond the Underworld to vanquish the Titan of Time. Featuring influences from classical Greek mythology, Hades II will introduce players to the Princess of the Dead as they explore a bigger, deeper mythic world with the full might of Olympus at their call in a story that reacts to their every setback and accomplishment. You can watch the first installment of the “Creator’s Voice” video series with Supergiant

Games’ Amir Rao, Greg Kasavin and Darren Korb right now: https://youtu. be/1G3wbCIUVqs.

Beginning today, Nintendo will release new “Creator’s Voice” video installments on Tuesdays at 9am ET through May 20 at https://www.nintendo. com/us/gaming-systems/ switch-2/featured-games/ creators-voice/. You can

also follow the series on Nintendo’s YouTube channel. Tune in to “Creator’s Voice” for an inside look at what Nintendo’s development and publishing partners have in store and discover the secrets behind games and experiences coming to Nintendo Switch 2 following the system’s launch on June 5.

LONDON Associated Press

I NSTAGRAM users under 16 won’t be able to livestream or unblur nudity in direct messages they’ve received without parental approval, owner Meta Platforms said Tuesday as it widened its safety measures for teenagers.

The social media company also said it was extending safeguards for users under 18 to Facebook and Messenger.

Meta launched its teen account program for Instagram in September to give parents more options to supervise their children’s online activity amid a growing backlash against how social media affects the lives of young people.

The latest changes will roll out first to users in the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia, before going out to global users in the following months. Under the changes, teens under 16 are blocked from using Instagram Live unless parents give permission. They also need permission to “turn off our feature that blurs images containing suspected nudity” in direct messages, Meta said in a blog post.

In another major update, Meta said it’s extending the teen account safeguards to its Facebook and Messenger platforms, These will include protections already in place for teen Instagram users, including setting teen accounts to private by default, blocking private messages from strangers, strict limits on sensitive content like fight videos, reminders to get off the app after 60 minutes and notifications that are halted during bedtime hours.

“Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger will offer similar, automatic protections to limit inappropriate content and unwanted contact, as well as ways to ensure teens’ time is well spent,” Meta said.

The company said at least 54 million teen accounts have been set up since the program launched in September.

THE NEW Nintendo Switch 2 - due to be released on June 5, 2025.

THIS undated photo provided by Colossal Biosciences shows two pups that were genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf.

Photo: Colossal Biosciences/AP

Texas measles outbreak rises to over 500 cases

TEXAS Associated Press

A day care facility in a Texas county that’s part of the measles outbreak has multiple cases, including children too young to be fully vaccinated, public health officials say.

West Texas is in the middle of a still-growing measles outbreak with 505 cases reported on Tuesday.

The state expanded the number of counties in the outbreak area this week to 10. The highly contagious virus began to spread in late January and health officials say it has spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Mexico.

Three people who were unvaccinated have died from measles-related illnesses this year, including two elementary schoolaged children in Texas.

The second child died Thursday at a Lubbock hospital, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended the funeral in Seminole, the epicenter of the outbreak.

As of Friday, there were seven cases at a day care where one young child who was infectious gave it to two other children before it spread to other classrooms, Lubbock Public Health director Katherine Wells said.

“Measles is so contagious I won’t be surprised if it enters other facilities,” Wells said.

The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is first recommended between 12 and 15 months old and a second shot between 4 and 6 years old.

Maegan Messick, coowner of Tiny Tots U Learning Academy, where

the outbreak is occurring, recently told KLBK-TV in Lubbock that they’re taking precautions like putting kids who are too young to get the vaccines together in isolation.

“We have tried to be extremely transparent,” she told the TV station.

There are more than 200 children at the day care, Wells said. Most have had least one dose of the vaccine, though she added, “we do have some children that have only received one dose that are now infected.”

The public health department is recommending that any child with only one vaccine get their second dose early, and changed its recommendation for kids in Lubbock County to get the first vaccine dose at 6 months old instead of 1.

A child who is unvaccinated and attends the day care must stay home for 21 days since their last exposure, Wells said.

Case count and hospitalization numbers in Texas have climbed steadily since the outbreak began, and spiked by 81 cases from March 28 to April 4.

On Tuesday, the state added another 24 cases to its count and two additional counties, Borden and Randall. One more person was hospitalized since Friday, with 57 total.

Gaines County, where the virus has been spreading through a close-knit Mennonite community, has the majority of cases, with 328 on Tuesday. Neighbouring Terry County is second with 46, followed by Lubbock County with 36. The Texas Department

of State Health Services tracks vaccinations rate for kindergartners, though the data doesn’t include homeschooled children or some kids who attend private school. Gaines County’s rate is 82%, which is far below the 95% level needed to prevent community spread — and health officials have said it’s likely lower in the small religious schools

and homeschooling groups where the early cases were identified.

In Terry County, the vaccination rate for kindergartners is at 96%, while Lubbock County is at 92%.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention met with Texas officials Monday to determine how many people it would send to West Texas

to assist with the outbreak response, spokesman Jason McDonald said Monday. He expected a small team to arrive later this week, followed by a bigger group on the ground next week.

The CDC said its first team was in the region from early March to April 1, withdrawing onthe-ground support days before a second child died in the outbreak. A spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said late Sunday that the governor and first lady were extending their “deepest prayers” to the family and community, and that the state health department had sent epidemiologists, immunization teams and specimen collection units to the area.

Supreme Court blocks order requiring Trump to reinstate thousands of federal workers

WASHINGTON Associated Press

THE Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked an order for the Trump administration to return to work thousands of federal employees who were let go in mass firings aimed at dramatically downsizing the federal government.

The justices acted in the administration’s emergency appeal of a ruling by a federal judge in California ordering that 16,000 probationary employees at six federal agencies be reinstated while a lawsuit plays out because their firings didn’t follow federal law.

The court’s order involved a technical legal assessment of the right, or standing, of several nonprofit associations to sue over the firings. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson said they would have kept the judge’s order in place.

It’s the third time in less than a week that the justices have sided with the Republican administration in its fight against federal judges whose orders have slowed President Donald Trump’s agenda. The court also paused an order restoring grants for teacher training and lifted an order that froze deportations under an 18th century wartime law.

But as with the earlier orders, the effect of Tuesday’s order will be limited. Many employees at the agencies will remain on paid administrative leave for now because of an order in a separate lawsuit

over the firings. The second suit, filed in Maryland, involves employees at those same six agencies, plus roughly a dozen more. That order is more limited in that it applies only in the 19 states and the District of Columbia that sued the administration.

The Justice Department is separately appealing the Maryland order.

At least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since Trump took office, the lawsuits claim, though the government has not confirmed that number.

The coalition of organizations and labour unions that sued said it was disappointed with the court’s order, but it said the battle is far from over.

“There is no doubt that thousands of public service employees were unlawfully fired in an effort to cripple federal agencies and their crucial programs that serve millions of Americans every day,” the coalition said in a statement.

US District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco ruled that the terminations were improperly directed by the Office of Personnel Management and its acting director. He ordered rehiring at the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, the Interior and the Treasury. Alsup, who was nominated by Democratic President Bill Clinton, expressed frustration with what he called the government’s attempt to sidestep laws and regulations by firing probationary workers with fewer legal protections. He said he was appalled that employees were told they were being fired for poor performance despite receiving glowing evaluations just months earlier. The administration has insisted that the agencies themselves directed the firings and they “have since decided to stand by those terminations,” Solicitor General D John Sauer told the court.

A VIAL of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is on display at the Lubbock Health Department Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas.

Photo: Mary Conlon/AP

THE SUPREME Court at sunset in Washington, February 13, 2016.

Photo: Jon Elswick/AP

69 retired officers receive Salver Award recognising years of dedicated service

SIXTY-NINE retired officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force were yesterday presented with a Salver Award in recognition of their contribution and years of dedicated service.

The award, a silver ornamental plate traditionally given as a token of honour, was presented during a special ceremony celebrating the retirees’ service and commitment to the nation.

Among those honoured were one former Commissioner of Police, two former Deputy Commissioners, one former Senior Assistant Commissioner, five former Assistant Commissioners, 20 former Chief Superintendents, 28 Superintendents, and 12 Assistant Superintendents.

The longest-serving retiree had served for 43 years, while the shortest tenure among the awardees was 31 years.

Notable recipients included former Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander and former Deputy Commissioner Leamond Deleveaux. Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles and Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe brought remarks at the event, applauding the honourees for their decades of service.

Both reflected on the officers’ careers, highlighting their invaluable contributions to public safety and reminiscing on the legacy they leave behind.

Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

Strolling around Downtown, Bay Street

VISITORS walk along Bay Street in the middle of the day Sunday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff