GRAND CAY BPL BILLS
WIPED AHEAD OF VOTE
Pre-election zeroing of power bills raises claim of
vote influencing
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
ELECTRICITY bills
for Grand Cay, Abaco, residents have been wiped to zero two weeks before the general election after Prime Minister Philip Davis visited the island last week and promised relief.
Longtime resident Jeremy Albury said his debt, which was $13,500, dropped to zero on Monday.
Another resident, Barry
FNM LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD
Albury, said: “I felt like it was Christmas in April.”
Screenshots from community chats show residents celebrating the move, with some joking that Christmas had come early.
The timing and mechanism behind the relief raised questions about whether it was intended to influence the upcoming general election. In a statement, the government said it intervened
BILLS - SEE PAGE THREE
Pintard calls for arrests over $200k gift certificates
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard has accused the Davis administration of breaking the law by using public funds to distribute gift certificates bearing the names of PLP
election candidates, calling the matter “egregious” and urging that charges be brought.
His comments followed The Tribune’s report that gift certificates issued to Abaco residents as Hurricane Dorian relief payments — and signed by
GIFTS - SEE PAGE THREE
Screenshots of WhatsApp message from Grand Cay residents happy over BPL bills being paid in full.
FNM warns of chaos over missing advance voters
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FNM Fort Charlotte candidate Travis Robinson.
FREE National Movement candidate Travis Robinson said approved voters in his constituency have been left off the advance poll register days before voting, fearing that some may now be unable to cast their ballots. With the advance poll set for April 30, Mr Robinson said nine people — including three who will be overseas on Election Day — were omitted from the certified list despite receiving certificates authorising them to vote.
FNM CONFIRMS VOUCHER DISTRIBUTION BUT DENIES VOTE BUYING
By
LYNAIRE
MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement chairman Duane Sands and Southern Shores candidate Denalee PennMackey have confirmed that the party has distributed vouchers, raising questions about whether both major political groups are attempting to influence voters with gifts
as the general election approaches.
“If you want to be absolutely transparent, then every single political organisation has been purchasing vouchers from Super Value,” Dr Sands said yesterday. “And both the PLP and the FNM, if you were to talk to Supervalue, they've noticed that the sales have gone up,
BUYING - SEE PAGE THREE
Timing questioned as Abaco power bills are cleared
BILLS from page one
to resolve a long-standing electricity billing issue affecting Grand Cay and Moore’s Island residents, attributing the problem to disruptions following Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government said normal billing and collection operations were disrupted during that period, while residents faced hardship, limited banking access, and restrictions on travel and business activity. It also said it had been advised that, under the former administration, residents were told they would not be required to pay their bills, but balances continued to accumulate in the system.
According to the statement, the government determined that the accumulated balances were caused by circumstances beyond consumers’ control and decided to absorb eligible balances through an offsetting arrangement with Bahamas Power and Light.
The government said the measure was intended to settle the matter without placing the burden
on residents who were already dealing with disaster and disruption, and described the move as part of its approach to resolving inherited issues.
The development follows The Tribune’s report that the government — not the Progressive Liberal Party — funded more than $200,000 in gift certificates issued to Abaco residents through Premier Importers, according to the company’s CEO. The Davis administration did not address that issue, with Communications Director Latrae Rahming saying the prime minister would speak to reporters at an unspecified time.
Residents said the high bills stemmed from Hurricane Dorian, when electricity charges went unbilled or unpaid and accumulated over time. Some said balances exceeded $60,000.
A number of residents said Mr Davis indicated the total cost of clearing the bills exceeded $500,000.
They said Mr Davis acknowledged the burden during a town hall meeting last week and promised to address the bills and provide housing supplies.
“So said, so done,” Mr
Albury said, confirming he was among those distributing materials.
“The supplies are stuff to renovate a lot of people’s homes. More stuff coming on Wednesday.”
While many welcomed the relief, others questioned the timing.
Steven Russell called it an election tactic.
“Everybody knows it’s a tactic because they know Cornish did not represent his constituency well,” he said, referring to former MP Kirk Cornish. “They know that and they know which areas they are in trouble. That’s why they up in Abaco, they sharing like $200 gift certificates.”
Another resident, Mr Maxwell, was unmoved.
“That can’t really do nothing after five or six years.”
Grand Cay, home to more than 500 residents, has long struggled with unreliable electricity, water and telecommunications.
Under the Parliamentary Elections Act, it is an offence to provide money, gifts or other benefits to voters to influence how they vote, a provision likely to draw scrutiny as questions are raised over recent relief offered to residents.
FNM leader accuses govt of crime over $200k vouchers
PLP candidates and officials — were funded by the Ministry of Finance. Chris Lleida, chief executive officer of Premier Importers, said the certificates were issued at the request of the ministry. The total value exceeded $200,000, with vouchers distributed in amounts of $200, $300 and $500. Office of the Prime Minister officials have not publicly responded. When contacted, Communications Director Latrae Rahming said Prime
Minister Philip Davis would address the matter with reporters at an unspecified time.
Mr Pintard said the use of public funds in this way amounts to a criminal offence.
“It is a crime because you’re using government
FNM chairman defends giving out election food vouchers
BUYING from page one
so there’s nothing unique to any particular political organisation.”
“If you follow the Election Act, it’s very clear that an inducement intended to get somebody to vote is against the law, but there’s nothing that says that somebody with food insecurity can’t be given a meal or access to the items to prepare a meal, so, it really depends on what the intent is.”
Describing the situation as “a slippery slope” with “the potential for abuse,”
Dr Sands said he would still assist people in need.
“If you come to me today and say that you have no food in your house, I would do the best that I can in order to assist,” he said, adding that he did not know the value or number of vouchers obtained by the party.
He emphasised the distinction between privately funded assistance and state-backed programmes.
The Davis administration has yet to address claims by Chris Lleida, chief executive officer of Premier Importers, that the government — not the PLP — paid for more than $200k in gift vouchers to his company that were distributed and signed by PLP election candidates and officials.
“One can be seen to have the possibility of nuance. The other is a clear-cut violation of the law where public funds are being used for political reasons,” Dr Sands said, adding that the issue highlights the need for broader campaign finance reform.
Ms Penn-Mackey
confirmed she has been distributing vouchers in her constituency within the past week, saying the effort is funded from her personal resources and should not be compared to the use of public funds.
“That, along with my whole campaign, is run by my own personal money, so I don’t see how what the PLP has done as it relates to the money you’re spending from the public treasury,” she said. “How does that tie into what I’m doing personally?”
She said the vouchers are valued at about $100.
“I shouldn’t even be answering these questions, because really and truly, I’m a person who’s always been doing and giving back to the community,” she said. And I’ve always had my own personal space and my personal funding, so what is the issue? How could that tie into what the government is doing?”
“We give out food and vouchers every day. Is that vote buying? The people have a food problem where people come and they said, listen, we need some vouchers. I have no grocery in my house, so when we give them a voucher, is that vote buying?”
Rejecting any suggestion of inconsistency, she added: “It’s not a double standard because if it’s coming from the public treasury and my vouchers are coming from my personal account, that’s not a double standard at all.”
FNM leader Michael Pintard said there is no issue with helping those in need, but warned that using public funds during an election period risks
undermining public confidence, particularly when assistance appears to be newly introduced or intensified.
“If somebody is in need, I don’t think you take an issue with the government, at least certainly me personally, if somebody is hungry they need food assistance, the government is not providing it, you ordinarily provide it, and this is what you’ve been doing, I think you have an obligation to help people who need help,” he said. “I mean, that’s a general rule that certainly I’ve lived by all along in and out of political season. If somebody needs help, you help them.”
He acknowledged that the timing of money or material assistance invites warranted suspicion.
“It allows others, others who look on, to presume that it’s politically motivated and I’m saying that there are a number of constituencies where persons know, beyond the shadow of doubt their people weren’t about doing, running any social assistance programme, have not provided a social safety net, and all of a sudden, they are offering them around election time,” he said. “That’s what they’re saying about the government right now. All of a sudden, you just realise that my house was leaking, and you have not been involved in the last four and a half years. You came and did an assessment. Nothing happened until just now.”
Under the Parliamentary Elections Act, it is an offence to offer, give or provide money, gifts or other benefits to a voter to influence how they vote.
funds for a narrow political perspective,” he said, calling for “somebody to pay the price.”
He compared the situation to the “Bermuda scandal,” in which a PLP trip was initially funded by the Public Treasury before being reimbursed by the party.
Mr Pintard argued the scale of the spending exceeded what could be approved at the level of the financial secretary, suggesting the decision would have required approval from the prime minister.
He also said it was “even more egregious” that Central and South Abaco candidate Bradley Fox Jr was involved in distributing the vouchers despite not holding a government post. Certificates obtained by
The Tribune show edvouchers issued to residents signed by Mr Fox and Preston Roberts, the party’s campaign coordinator and a Disaster Reconstruction Authority board member.
“You’re talking about somebody who has no standing in government at all and so on multiple levels, this is wrong,” he said.
“Somebody should be held to account, and charges should be brought against them or the sanctions, whatever the sanctions are, as outlined in the law, those sanctions should be carried out.”
Under the Parliamentary Elections Act, it is an offence to offer, give or provide money, gifts or other benefits to a voter to influence how they vote
or to reward voting behaviour. The law also prohibits providing such benefits to influence the return of a candidate to Parliament or to encourage others to secure votes on a candidate’s behalf. It further makes it an offence to fund or knowingly facilitate such activities, including providing or repaying money intended for use in bribery. The Bahamas has no comprehensive campaign finance regime, and there are no clear, enforceable rules requiring full disclosure of political spending or governing the use of public resources during election periods. Both major political parties have continually promised to introduce a campaign finance system but have failed to do so.
SCREENSHOT of WhatsApp message from Grand Cay residents happy over BPL bills being paid in full.
Pastor Mario Moxey elected new Christian Council president
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
PASTOR Mario Moxey has been named the new president of the Bahamas Christian Council, securing a decisive victory. The Tribune understands Mr Moxey won 169 votes to 58 for Apostle Raymond Wells. He succeeds Bishop Delton Fernander, who had led the council since 2017. In his first remarks following the outcome, Mr
Moxey placed unity at the centre of his leadership agenda. “We really want to make sure that there's unity in the body of Christ among denominations—that's the first and foremost thing— and then also unity in the nation in terms of the civic, religious aspect, and governmental aspects, that we're all able to work together for the common good,” he said. “We summed it all up into one voice, one
church, one nation.”
He said he will consult with his executive team to determine priorities based on available resources. In a statement, the Bahamas Christian Council confirmed Mr Moxey’s appointment as president for the 2026 to 2029 term and outlined a mandate built around the theme “One Voice. One Church. One Nation.” “It is both a privilege and a calling to serve God by serving the people of The Bahamas, and in
particular the Christian Churches that span our nation. The Church represents the largest block of citizenry across every sector of society, with approximately 90 percent of our population identifying as Christian. This is not merely a statistic. It is a responsibility.”
Expanding on the council’s direction, Mr Moxey said the church must assert a unified moral voice, strengthen ties across denominations, and help foster national cohesion.
“The Church is not a minority voice trying
to be heard. We are the majority voice that must choose to be the unifier. As we unify the Church, we position ourselves to help unify the nation, offering spiritual leadership, moral clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose for our people.”
Mr Moxey, who previously served as the council’s vice president, said his involvement spans about 16 years and has been driven by a desire to serve. “I've been in the Bahamas Christian Council. I would say about 16 years now, and so I've always
had a desire to serve my country. That's the reason why I was in the Christian Council, because I felt as though I needed to serve, I needed to contribute. Just as a result of tenure and being there, it's time for natural elevation to take place, to serve a higher level. It's my privilege to represent the Christian community at this season.” The council also announced its new executive leadership team, representing a cross-section of Christian denominations in The Bahamas.
Widow’s lawsuit over sale of matrimonial home heads to trial
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
A WIDOW’s claim over a Lancaster Road home will proceed to trial after the Supreme Court rejected an attempt to strike out the case, finding unresolved disputes over whether she abandoned the property and whether her claim was filed in time.
Supreme Court Justice Camille Darville Gomez ruled on April 22, 2026, that the case brought by Joyce Bannister-Cole against her stepdaughter Torah Cole raises substantive issues that must be tested at trial. The judge found the matter was not hopeless or an abuse of process and said there are clear disputes of fact requiring a full hearing.
The dispute centres on the home Mrs Bannister-Cole shared with her late husband, Harold Cole. She is seeking a right to occupy or benefit from the matrimonial property under the Inheritance Act, independent of her husband’s will, which left his estate to his children.
Mrs Bannister-Cole filed proceedings in November 2023 against Ms Cole, who is executrix of the estate.
She said she married Mr Cole on December 31, 2005, and lived in the home until his death on April 28, 2019. In an affidavit, she acknowledged travelling to Canada in 2019 and 2020 after his death, leaving behind personal belongings
in the house. She said that after her first trip, Ms Cole provided her with new keys following a change of locks, and maintained she never indicated an intention to leave The Bahamas permanently.
Between June and July 2022, she travelled again to Canada after COVID-19 restrictions were eased, a visit she said was extended after she contracted COVID-19 twice, delaying her return.
Mrs Bannister-Cole said she became suspicious around November 2022 that her late husband’s children were attempting to sell the home without informing her and returned to The Bahamas.
Ms Cole, however, said her stepmother was out of the country from July 2020 to April 2023. She said that before the home was sold, an estate sale was held during which Mrs Bannister-Cole’s belongings were sold, with proceeds given to a niece to pass on to her. She said she was unaware whether her stepmother received the funds and denied that she was evicted from the property. She also claimed her stepmother made no financial contributions to the home while living there.
Ms Cole said her stepmother returned to the country a few days after the home was sold and that her brother reached out to offer proceeds, but she did not respond.
Court documents show Mr Cole’s 2018 will left his
estate to his children. Mrs Bannister-Cole alleged that Ms Cole influenced her father to alter an earlier will, resulting in her becoming the sole executrix, and described strained interactions between them.
In a second affidavit, Mrs Bannister-Cole claimed her husband had discussed paying $100,000 in relation to her interest in the property, but no agreement was reached before he became ill. She maintained she has an entitlement arising from the matrimonial home despite it being sold without her knowledge.
“I never abandoned the place that I called home. The defendant owed me the respect of the wife of her late father to honour him by not mistreating me,” she said. “She simply steamrolled over my rights as the surviving spouse.”
She also alleged that a caregiver hired after Mr Cole suffered a stroke raised concerns about Ms Cole’s behaviour, claiming the caregiver reported hearing threats that she would “push” her stepmother down the stairs and send her home in a wheelchair.
Ms Cole denied making any such threats and rejected claims about her stepmother’s role during Mr Cole’s illness. She also said her father never discussed purchasing her stepmother’s life interest.
The matter will proceed to trial, with no order as to costs.
NCL FINED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS AT GREAT STIRRUP CAY
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line has been fined for environmental violations at Great Stirrup Cay, as a related labour dispute involving a former employee awaits a conciliation hearing.
Environment Minister Zane Lightbourne said enforcement action was taken following an investigation into the cay, which the company owns and operates.
He said the penalties include a $20,000 base fine along with additional fines, though the total has not been disclosed. He added that the company remains within the legal window to pay, but no payments have yet been received.
Mr Lightbourne said investigators identified further violations beyond those raised publicly, with details to be outlined in a forthcoming report.
“We’ll put an official report on that, but we would not like to, at this
time, indicate any specifics outside of the official report,” he said.
The Tribune previously reported that Daylland Moxey, a former assistant safety manager at the cay, alleged he was terminated on March 8 after raising concerns about environmental and safety practices, including a waste site fire and the handling of hazardous materials. He claimed his dismissal was retaliatory and said he is still owed wages.
Director of Labour Howard Thompson said a trade dispute filed by Mr Moxey will be referred to a conciliator, though no date has been set.
The Department of Labour has not yet launched its own investigation and is awaiting the outcome of the environmental assessment.
“Once environmental do what they need to do, they will let me know, and then my team will move in,” Mr Thompson said. He said the department will conduct a two-part investigation once that
process is complete, examining both workplace conditions and the complainant’s treatment.
“One is the occupational health side of it, for working conditions,” Mr Thompson said. “Then the other investigatory part is the issues with his bosses not treating him fairly.”
Mr Thompson said the timeline will depend on the availability of conciliators, noting that only a small number handle such matters, but said the case will be addressed “in due course”.
He described the dispute as complex, citing the range of allegations, and said findings from the environmental investigation could inform aspects of the labour case, particularly claims of retaliation.
Mr Thompson added that while the Department of Labour cannot shut down operations at the cay, it can issue correction notices before imposing fines.
No timeline has been given for the conciliation hearing or the release of the environmental report.
PASTOR MARIO MOXEY
Nurse beaten after leaving shelter pleads for extended victim stays
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
A REGISTERED nurse who said she was forced from a government shelter is calling for longer stays for domestic violence victims, claiming she was beaten “black and blue” after leaving the facility and encountering her husband again.
“A week later, after me and my son got evicted, we came into contact with my husband,” she said. “This man beat me black and blue. I had to fight for my life.”
Pamela McKenzie said
she had been trapped in an abusive marriage and turned to authorities after her husband’s brother allegedly pulled a gun on her and her son. She said she went to a police station but later faced intimidation and threats from her in-laws.
She said she chose not to pursue the matter further and was referred to Social Services, where she and her son were placed in a domestic violence shelter.
Mrs McKenzie said she saw other residents forced out after the three-month limit.
“We had an elderly lady there. Her and her plastic
Three Haitian men jailed over fraudulent NIB cards
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
THREE Haitian nationals were sentenced to prison after admitting to possessing fraudulent National Insurance Board cards at Bimini International Airport last weekend.
Peterson Auguste, 35, Lautile Delhomme, 30, and Joadly Atleus, 29, were found with fraudulent NIB cards bearing their names in South Bimini around 10am on April 25. Immigration officials
alerted police after becoming suspicious of the documents presented by the men upon arrival in the Family Islands from New Providence. The accused pleaded guilty to possession of a forged document and uttering a forged document before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly Burrows.
Auguste was sentenced to one year in prison, while the other two defendants were each sentenced to 18 months.
Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom prosecuted the case.
Teen jailed, three remanded over court
parking lot gun
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 19-YEAR-OLD man who admitted possessing a prohibited weapon in the Magistrate’s Court parking lot on Nassau Street last week was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Tarran Seymour was found with a banned Austrian Glock 9mm pistol and 31 rounds of ammunition after police searched a grey Kia Soul in the court parking lot around 11am on April 24.
Police also recovered a black ski mask from the vehicle.
Seymour pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition with intent to supply before Magistrate
Lennox Coleby. His co-accused — Dondre Williams, 27, Randy Mackey, 23, and Jeffery Toussaint, 23 — pleaded not guilty. One of the accused had a separate matter before the court on the day of the arrest. Seymour was sentenced to 30 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie objected to bail for the remaining defendants, citing the seriousness of the offence and the prevalence of firearm-related violence. The three men were denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until their trial on June 24.
BreweryChiefEngineer
bags were out placed on the road.”
Two weeks ago, she said, she and her son were also required to leave after reaching the time limit. She acknowledged she had been told from the outset that the stay would be capped at three months but said she was still recovering from abuse and remained unemployed despite being a registered nurse. She alleged that some residents were allowed to stay beyond the limit, including foreign nationals. The Tribune was unable to independently confirm those claims up to press time.
After leaving the shelter, Mrs McKenzie said she and her son stayed with a friend, where she slept on the floor. She has since secured work as a live-in caretaker, while her son has joined a training programme in Exuma, where he now lives.
She said other domestic violence victims she knows have fared worse, with some now living in their cars or in makeshift housing.
The mother of three said she was disappointed that no one from Social Services followed up after her departure and urged the government to extend shelter stays for residents who
remain unemployed or at risk. Social Services Minister Myles Laroda said in December 2025 that the government’s leased shelter rooms were at capacity as officials balance requests for extensions with new cases.
He said the ministry leases about 150 rooms from private entities, excluding those at the Poinciana Inn Shelter, and all are occupied. He added that officials are negotiating leases for two additional properties as demand increases.
“We have given extensions to people who may
come for the first time and find out that their situation has not improved to the point that they could go on their own,” he said.
Asked about the strain of managing limited housing, Mr Laroda said shelter accommodation is intended to be temporary.
“We are telling individuals that, look, this is a temporary fix,” he said.
“We'll try to assist you. We'll try to assist you with finances and other stuff, to put you in a position to be on your own. Because, unlike the government housing programme, shelter assistance is supposed to be temporary.”
Man granted bail over indecent assault charge
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 42-YEAR-OLD man accused of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl
was granted bail. Prosecutors allege Rodger Mott inappropriately touched the girl on April 22 in New Providence. Mott pleaded not
guilty to indecent assault before Magistrate Abigail Farrington. He was granted bail in the amount of $6,000 with one or two sureties and must sign in at the Grove
18-year-old faces court over threat to life
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A TEENAGE male accused of endangering another man’s life with a handgun earlier this month was remanded to prison yesterday.
Prosecutors allege that Marvin Sherman, 18, endangered the life of Kenley Thomany with a handgun on April 17 in New Providence. Sherman was not required to enter a plea to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger
life before acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. He was informed that the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment. The defendant was also advised of his right to apply for bail in the higher court. Sherman will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his voluntary bill of indictment is served on June 25. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case.
Police Station on the last
Sunday of each month.
Mott returns to court for trial on June 17.
Assistant Superintendent of Police K Bould prosecuted the case.
The Melbourne Declaration
THIS WEEK, Women Deliver thelargestglobalconference ongender equality is taking placein Naarm,Melbourne, Australia.The conferenceopened onMondayafternoonwitha welcomeandceremony by the Wurundjeri people–the traditionalowners theland commonlyreferredto as“Melbourne.”Therewasalso a pre-conference DecolonizingFutures:FirstNationsIndigenous Women Advancing Treaty and Global Solidarity held on Sundaywith a specificfocus onindigenous peoples, their knowledge, and theirrights.Thissetthetonefor theconference, positioningindigenouspeoples asleaders, knowledge-holders, community builders, and hosts. Speakers at the opening ceremony includedGovernor-General ofthe Commonwealthof AustraliaHon. SamMoisten AC,Queensland SenatorHon. Nita Green, PrimeMinister of Tuvalu Hon. Feleti Penitala Teo, andDeputy SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed. Mohammed described the reality weface today,with women and girlsbearing the brunt ofpoverty, hunger,extraction, andconflict. Right now, theworld is ina mess more than adecade in the
making, fromCOVID-19 to conflicts and countless climate disasters. And,as ever,the weightofthatmesslandsonour shoulders. The resourcesto respond to the challenge are shrinking, not growing. The decade-longtrend,wheredevelopment assistance for gender equalitywason anupwardtrajectory, is coming to an end.”
Thosepushing backagainst the rights of women, girls, and gender diversity are organized, they are well-resourced, and they areplaying thelong game,” sheadded. “We will not cedethisspace,notaninchofit. Weneed totake backthe ground from the people trying to drag it away.
Thishas beenarecurring theme throughoutplenary and concurrent sessions. Anti-rights actorsare workingtodestroy what has taken decades of dedicated work, by women from the GlobalMajority, tobuild. Itis imperative that werefuse to allowour workandthe workof ourancestorsto beundone,and thatwe refuseto beexhausted ordiscouragedbytheriseofauthoritarianism andanti-rights rhetoric.
In heropening remarks, Women Deliver CEO Maliha Khanpointed totheMelbourne Declaration, anoutcome document of WomenDeliver 2026,
as acommitment forall participants to share. What we re asking of you all is to make this moment of crisisa moment of possibility,”shesaid.“TheMelbourne Declaration isa shared commitmenttorebuildagender equality ecosystemtoo often shaped by donorpriorities and weak accountabilityto people and to rootwhat comes next in humanrights, solidarity,and the leadershipof thosemost affected by injustice.”
The three-page outcome documentfor theconference,the Melbourne Declaration for Gender Equality, speaks directly tothe obligationsof States toprotect, promote,and expand full accessto human rights forall. Itspecifically names rights tobodily autonomy andfreedom fromviolence and discrimination along withopen democraciesascriticalcomponents. Moreand more,civilsocietyandmultilateral organizations are turning attention todemocracy, asthe culture ofgovernance is changingatthe globalandnational levels, shrinking the space for civil society, reducing resources includingfunding, and creatingincreasingly unsafe environmentsfor people whohave beenhistoricallyand systematically marginalized.
In everyhuman rightsspace,
thereare high-stressconversations aboutthe waveof conservatismthatisaffectingourdaily lives.Anti-rights actorsare heavilyfundedandhighlycoordinated, posing threatsand significantlyaffecting eventhe spaces built for progressive movements.Itis inthiscontext that the Melbourne Declaration was drafted. “Wemake thisdeclarationat amoment whenthe widerfield of actorsand institutions shaping genderequality outcomes is in crisis,” it states. Governments and political actors are actively rolling back, ignoring, andundermining humanrights including sexualand reproductivehealth and rights(SRHR), bodilyautonomy, democratic rights, and civic space. Multilateral systems are under attack, and antirightsactorsare usingthemto advance their agenda. Rising authoritarianism, fundamentalism, and fascism aim to weakenprogressive civilsociety and accountability mechanisms.”
The MelbourneDeclaration makes six clear commitments:
1.Orienting ourwork around States obligations andpublic accountability:We willfocus our roleon creatingthe conditions in which States uphold
their responsibilities and in whichpeople, civilsociety,and social movementscan demand that States respect, protect, and fulfillthe rightsof allpeople and the planet.
2.Creating the conditions for collective voiceand socialjustice to thrive: We will ensure local civilsociety isadequately resourced, politicallyprotected, globally connected, and locally rooted. Wewill ensurethat the priorities, knowledge,language, and political aims of those mostaffected byinjustice shape our work.
3.Confronting unjust economic systems that deepen inequality andundermine rights: Wewillchallengedebtburdens, austerity policies, and the global financial rulesand systems thatdeepen inequality,undermine States’ abilityto provide essential servicesand uphold their humanrights obligations, andthreaten thewellbeing of people and the planet.
4.Transforming institutions tocenter localpriorities andaccountability topeople: Wewill challengemodels shapedby donor expectations,priorities, indicators, deliverables, and reporting cycles. Ourwork will hold nationaland multilateral institutions accountable and center locally defined priorities, movement leadership,and accountability to people,civil society, and those most affected by injustice.
5.Standing united against militarism andfor peaceand justice:We refuseto becomplicitin thenormalizationof war and the instrumentalization of therights ofgirls, women, andgender-diverse peopleto justify conflict and violence. Wealso standagainstthe weaponization ofmilitarized masculinitiestorecruitmenand boysasinstruments ofwar,creatingconditions thatdeeply harmall people,including through sexualviolence asa weapon of war.
6.Rooting our transformation
in solidarity andcontributing to the dismantlingof systemsof oppression:Werootourworkin solidarity acrossmovements and borders; center the Global Majority; and contributeto dismantlingall formsofdiscrimination, including patriarchy, sexism, ageism,misogyny, racism, capitalism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and colonialism including as theyshowupinoursector,deny people their rights, and undermine justice.
Recommendations
1.TheHollow Half:A MemoirofBodiesandBorders by Sarah Aziza. Join Feminist Book Club, hosted by Equality Bahamas and Poinciana Paper Press, in readingthis book this month. The publisher describe TheHollowHalf as a brush with death. An ancestral haunting. A century of family secrets. SarahAziza’s searing, genre-bending memoir traces three generations of diasporic Palestinians from Gaza to the Midwestto NewYork City and back.” Feminist Book Club will meet at PoincianaPaper Press,12Parkgate Road,onWednesday,May20at 6pm to discuss the book. Register for updates at tiny.cc/fbc2026.
2.Feminist Standardsfor Governance. Equality Bahamas willpublishthepeople sagenda for 2026 to 2031, a communitysourcessetofrecommendations to guidethe nextgovernment administration in meeting the needs of the people while leveraging our knowledgeand skills asactive participantsingovernance. Join the mailing list at equality-bahamas.kit.com to be among the first to receive the people’s agendaand follow @equality242 onInstagram for updates,shareablematerial,and announcements ofin-person and virtual eventsdesigned for the public to engage with the recommendations.
Photo: The Citizen
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed (first right), the President and Chief Executive Officer of Women Deliver, Dr Maliha Khan, Rt Hon. Helen Clark, and the Executive Director of DIVA for Equality in Nadi, Fiji, and Co-Chair of the WD2026 Regional Steering Committee, Noelene Nabulivou, at a press conference in Melbourne
The humpback whale, stranded in the Baltic Sea, has arrived in the barge intended for its transportation near the island of Poel, Germany, Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Photo: Stefan Sauer/dpa
Michael and Susan Dell fund 'AInative' medical centre with $750 million gift to University of Texas
By JAMES POLLARD Associated Press
NEWYORK (AP)
Bil-
lionairesMichael andSusan Dell are fuelling the Universityof Texasat Austin'smedical research ambitionswith a $750 milliongift that promises to improve patient care through artificial intelligence and increase health care options for thebooming state capital.
TheUT DellMedical Center, announced Tuesday, is projectedto openin 2030as the crown jewel of a new 300plus-acre advancedresearch campus.The universityexpectsto breakground thisfall on what schoolleaders are calling the country'sfirst "AInative" hospital.
The donationmakes the couple the first University of Texas donors togive more than $1 billion,according to system officials, building on two decades ofsupport for computer scienceeducation, themedical schoolandscholarshipsfor studentswiththe most significantfinancial need. For MichaelDell, the founder and CEOof Dell Technologieswhosenetworth is estimated by Forbes at about $170 billion,the next step was tofurther expand his and his wife'sinvestments in Central Texas.The computer magnate founded the company in 1984as a UT-Austin pre-med student selling customized personalcomputers fromhisfreshmandormroom. Health infrastructureneeds became clear, hesaid, as the area'spopulation aboutdoubled in size.
"Iwas bornin Texas.My wife was bornin Texas. This is our home,"Dell told The Associated Press, adding that "building a stronger health systemhere, moreinnovation andhelping tosupportthe growthand stabilityof theregion" is important.
The donation isamong the largestever inhighereducation philanthropy,following recent contributions such as PhilKnight's$2billionpledge to Oregon Health & Science University's cancercentre and MichaelBloomberg's$1.8billiongiftfor financialaidto low- andmiddle-income Johns Hopkins University students.
A 'rare' opportunity to integrate technologyinto a new medical centre From monitoring vital signs to triggeringstep-by-step care plans, AI is making inroads into health care at hundreds of hospitals.
Withthe launchof UTDell Medical Center, however, Dr. Claudia Lucchinettisees a rare opportunity: instead of retroactively applyingnew technologiesto oldhospital infrastructure,she saidthey can integratethem fromthe start. They will also collaborate with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to offer top specialistsforthosewithcomplex conditions. Lucchinetti, the dean of Dell MedicalSchool andseniorvicepresidentformedical affairs, said their model will use technology tosupport the patient-doctor relationship and make care"feel simpler andmore human.""Ambient" AI will makethe hospital itself an"intelligent memberof the care team," she said, taking notes sothat clinicians cantreat patientsmoredirectly. She touted AI's ability to identify biometric patterns and earlysigns ofcancer beforethey're obvioustothe naked eye.
Thegoal, shesaid, isto move from areactive and fragmented health system to one that ispredictive and more seamless.
"Wehave thetechnology, the science andthe understandingto dobetter.And
what we've been missing is the abilityto designa system around those capabilities from thestart,"she said."That'sthe opportunity thatSusan and Michael Dell have catalysed."
The gift will also support undergraduate scholarships, student housing and UT's Texas AdvancedComputing Center, where officials are buildingthe nation'slargest academic supercomputer with Dell's AI infrastructure.
In a convocation address two years ago, Michael Dell encouraged medicalschool graduates to ensure AI models understandhuman ethicsand make healthcare moreequitable. He believes the technology willaugment caregiving,create moreprecise treatments, acceleratescientific discoveries and apply thosefindings toreal-world practices sooner.
"Wehave tofigure outhow todo thisinaway thatisresponsible, reflects our values and beliefs, and ultimately enableshumans toreachtheir full potential," hetold AP. "That'swhatwe'reallworking on."
Landscape for higher education giving
The major contribution comesata timewhenprivate supportforhighereducationis fallingto adwindling poolof supporters.
Collegesraised arecord $78 billionlast year,accordingto the2025Voluntary Support of Education, but nearly 90%of thatmoney came from just 2% of donors.
Rutgers University Associate Deanfor Research Marybeth Gasmansaid she's excitedtoseesuchstrongsupport fora publicinstitution at atimewhen publicfundingis decliningamid politicizedattacksonhighereducation.She hopesthe megagiftinspires other donations, asshe said decades-long patterns suggest that moregiving occursafter
high-profile individual contributions.
"Higher education, quite frankly,could reallyuseit right now," she said.
UT-Austin officialsare certainly hopingso. TheDells' giftkicksoff abroader10yearcampaign toraise$10 billion for the university.
Thedonation comesonthe heelsof theDells' $6.25billionpledge toprovide anincentive to claim new investmentaccountsunderPresident DonaldTrump'staxlawfor25 million Americanchildren ages 10 and under. The "Trump Accounts" give $1,000 to everynew-born, so long as their parents open one, and invests those funds in the stock market. Thecouple believes itis thelargest single private commitmentmade to U.S. children.
Michael Dell said even a small sum makes a child more likely to enter college "perhaps at the University of Texas orsome othergreat school" and eventually start afamily orbusiness. He welcomed thecreativity he's seeing from other "Trump Accounts" funders. He's seen cities offeradditional investmentsfor communityservice and good grades.He noted that hedgefund managers Brad Gerstnerand RayDalio haveseeded accountsinIndianaand Connecticut,respectively.
"Ithink you'llseemany moregiftsatthelocalcommunitylevel andsome otherbig ones atthe nationallevel," he said.
But he dismissed the suggestion that, between the "TrumpAccounts" andthis University of Texas gift, there'sbeena shiftinhisand his wife's philanthropy toward more selective, bigger bets.
"Certainly, we've been very blessedand wehavea lotof resources," he said."So, we're looking for thingsthat have significant impact."
By FANNY BRODERSEN and CLAUDIA CIOBANU Associated Press
BERLIN (AP)
Robotdogs withhyperrealistic silicone heads modeled after worldrenownedfigures including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, AndyWarhol and Pablo Picasso can beseen roaming around aBerlin museum,occasionally“pooing”printedimagesoftheirsurroundings whichthey've previously capturedwith integrated cameras.
Theanimals arepart ofaninteractive installationby American artist Beeple(Mike Winkelmann) currently showing at Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie
Each printedimage shows asnippet ofreality transformed by AI to resemble thepersonality of the dog or, inotherwords,theworldviewofthehumanfigureonits shoulders (i.e.,the Picasso dogwill produceimages in Cubist style and Warhol's in pop art).
It'sa commentaryon howourperceptions areshaped by algorithms and technologyplatforms, the organizers of the exhibition write in the description of the event.
“In the past, our view of the world was shaped in part byhowartistssawtheworld,”BeepletoldtheAP.“How Picasso painted changedhow we saw theword, how Warholtalked aboutconsumerism,pop culture,that changed how he saw those things.
Nowour viewofthe worldisshapedby techbillionaires who own powerful algorithms that decide what we see and what we don t see, the artist added.
Archaeologists at Pompeii use AI to reconstruct the face of a man killed in the volcano's eruption
By GIADA ZAMPANO Associated Press
ROME (AP) Archaeologists and researchers at the ancientRomansiteofPompeiihaveusedartificialintelligence for the first time to digitally reconstruct the face ofa mankilledinthe AD79eruptionof MountVesuvius thatsmothered thecity, offering anew wayto understand one of history s most famous natural disasters.
Thedigital portraitrepresents aman whoseremains, along with those of another person, were discovered as they attemptedto flee the citytoward the coastof what is nowItaly duringthe volcaniceruption. Researchers believethemandiedearlyinthedisaster,duringaheavy fall of volcanic debris.
ThereconstructionwasdevelopedbythePompeiiArchaeologicalPark,whichannounced onitswebsitethat itwas donein collaborationwiththe Universityof Paduaandbasedonarchaeologicalsurveydatafromexcavationsnear thePortaStabianecropolis, justoutside the walls of the ancient city.
AI smart glasses willhelp visually impaired runners take on the London Marathon By MUSTAKIM
HASNATH Associated Press
LONDON (AP)
Running pastBuckingham Palaceduring training, TillyDowler is closing in on a goal sheonce thoughtoutof reach.
Dowler, whohas Stargardt diseaseand says she hasabout 10% useful vision,only beganrunninglastyear,startingwithacouchto5Kprogrambeforebuildingup tomarathondistance.Sheis nowpreparing toruntheLondon Marathonwithher boyfriend asher guide, usingAI poweredOakley Meta Vanguard smartglasses to helpher navigateand track her progress.
“They are AI assisted,” she said. “While running, I canaskforlivecues,suchaswhatlandmarksarearound me and how far I have run.
She said the glasses allow her to combine audio feedback with guidance from her running partner. “I can put mymusic onbutstill beable tolistento myguide runner,” she said.
Her goal is not focused on speed.
My missionwas toinspire otherpeople withsight lossand peoplegoing throughsomething reallytough and inspire them to believe in themselves,” she said.
Robot dogs with Muskand Zuckerberg heads roam around Berlin museum in Beeple's new exhibit
Students walk through the University of Texas at Austin campus near the school's iconic tower, Sept. 27,
2012, in Austin, Texas.
AP Photo: Eric Gay, File
Frustrated workers protest over delayed promotions and pay
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
WORKERS from the Department of Information and Communications Technology staged their third protest in less than three months outside the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday, citing continued delays in promotions, reclassification and regularisation, with no update following a single meeting with Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis.
Bahamas Public Service Union president Kimsley Ferguson said workers remain in the dark about progress on long-standing issues, including outstanding payments to finance and accounting officers.
"We had one meeting with the minister of economic and since then we've gotten no information on the Department
of ICT since that meeting and we've been asking to be apprised of the progress that's being made," Mr Ferguson said. "To date, we don't know anything after consistent appeals, and it's the same thing with the finance and accounting officers whose issue is pending from 2021 after the new administration took office."
He said the lack of response from officials has left workers feeling that protest is their only option.
Mr Ferguson said employees are increasingly frustrated, with morale deteriorating across departments as the cost of living rises.
Protesters said they are already struggling and questioned how much more they can endure as they called for long-overdue payments.
Some said workers are quietly dealing with personal hardships that are not visible to the public, while others stressed they are simply trying to support their families and urged officials to consider their circumstances outside the workplace.
The demonstration follows two earlier protests this year, including one in early February when workers first gathered outside the Office of the Prime Minister over unresolved promotions and regularisation. Employees returned in late March, warning that little progress had been made.
"They're frustrated and moral is extremely low in the various departments," he said. "The cost of living is escalating, salaries are not comparative. The cost of living is such that persons are concerned that the particular standard of living they enjoy is now jeprodised."
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
In the course of business, the Company incurs different types of risks. These include credit, liquidity, and market risks (including interest rate risk). Management has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company’s risk management.
10.1. Credit risk
The Company takes on exposure to credit risk, which is the risk that the counterparty to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the Company by failing to perform according to the terms of the contract. From this perspective, the Company’s significant exposure to credit risk is primarily concentrated in balances at banks and broker, amounts receivable, and investments in debt securities.
Maximum
exposure to credit risk
The maximum exposure to credit risk in the event that the counterparties fail to perform their obligations to the Company in regard to each class of financial instruments mentioned above is the carrying value of those assets in the statement of financial position and disclosed in the relevant notes to the financial statements.
10.2.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company is unable to meet its payment obligations associated with its financial liabilities when they fall due. Due to related party represents a significant portion of the Company’s liabilities, therefore, management considers this risk to be limited, as the ultimate shareholder is also a Director.
At December 31, 2025, the Company’s exposure to liquidity risk totaled $150,005 (2024: $246,870).
10.3.
Market risk
Market risk is the risk that there will be a change in the value of financial instruments due to changes in market conditions, which includes the Company’s operating environment. Market risk arises from interest rate fluctuations, which may affect the fair value of US Treasury Bills purchased at a discounts. The primary market risk is interest rate risk, as rising rates may reduce the fair value of US Treasury Bills. However, since the Company holds them to maturity, no realized losses occur which reduces the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk.
11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
BCS TRUST SERVICES COMPANY LTD.
Notes to the Financial Statements
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Market price is used to determine the fair value where an active market exists as it is the best evidence of the fair value of a financial instrument. The values derived from applying these techniques are significantly affected by the underlying assumptions used concerning both the amounts and timing of future cash flows and the discount rates.
December 31, 2025
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
The Company has no financial instruments that are carried at fair value.
12. CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company’s Regulator, The Central Bank of The Bahamas (the “Regulator”), sets and monitors the capital requirements for the Company.
The Company’s objectives when managing capital, which is a broader concept than the “equity” on the face of the statement of financial position, are:
i) To comply with the capital requirements set by the Regulator;
ii) To safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns to shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders; and
iii) To maintain a strong capital base to support the development of its business.
Capital adequacy and the use of regulatory capital are monitored quarterly by the Board of Directors employing techniques based on the guidelines developed by the Regulator. The required information is filed with the Regulator at stipulated intervals
13. EVENTS AFTER REPORTING PERIOD
There were no material events of significance impacting the Company since December 31, 2025 and up to April 24, 2026 that require disclosure in the financial statements.
PRESIDENT KIMSLEY FERGUSON
FNM rally at RM Bailey Park
Sands calls for police probe over Abaco gift certificate
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
FNM candidates seized on the gift certificate controversy at a rally last night, suggesting the distribution of more than $200,000 in vouchers to Abaco residents could amount to a misuse of public funds and warrant a police investigation.
The issue stems from a Tribune report that the certificates, issued as Hurricane Dorian relief, were funded by the Ministry of Finance, according to Premier Importers chief executive officer Chris Lleida.
FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands said the claims raise serious questions.
“Now, based on The Tribune story," he said at the party's New Providence rally, "was there criminal behaviour involved in this funny business? Was there misappropriation of public funds? This may be a matter for the Royal Bahamas Police Force to figure out.”
“I want y'all to listen to me carefully. It seems that the PLP used taxpayer money for their blatant political activity. Now, at the very least, this is a blatant violation of the public trust.”
North Abaco candidate
Terrece Bootle also criticised the timing and nature of the assistance, arguing it reflects a pattern of last-minute gestures rather than sustained recovery efforts nearly five years after Hurricane Dorian.
“Nearly five years later, those promises are not a reality. Calling inaction progress are nearly leaning on the past administration does not rebuild homes, does not restore lives, and it does not renew trust. Abaconians
know the difference. Don’t play in our faces,” she said.
“If you truly understand Abaco then you understand this — progress must be visible. It is measurable, felt in everyday life. It cannot be substituted with rhetoric and last minute gestures funded by the public purse. Santa Claus came to Abaco recently ” She said such efforts are not a sustained response and called for a properly planned and consistent commitment to rebuilding.
“These last minute efforts are only a political strategy. Show some respect to my people. There should been a sustained and properly planned commitment to the people of Abaco. To the people of Abaco, remain vigilant, remain discerning. Take what relief they give you. After all it is your right but measure leadership what is has been consistently delivered not what is suddenly offered.”
The controversy was one of several issues raised by Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard, who also defended his decision to invite international observers to monitor the upcoming general election, saying the opposition does not trust the Davis administration.
Speaking at the rally at RM Bailey Park, Mr Pintard said outside scrutiny was necessary given concerns about how the government conducts its affairs.
“Brave leaders stand up for their people. Brave leaders don't get on television and cry about a leader of the opposition who invites the international community to observe our election. The reason is simple, bro, we don't trust you. We have a problem with the way you do business. So we watching
you. We invite some other people to join us.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis continued his attacks on the Opposition at a PLP rally in Andros last night.
He portrayed the PLP as a united force with a clear plan and vision for the country, while casting the FNM as a divisive party full of tricks.
He said the FNM had neither a plan nor a real leader capable of doing the job.
He urged Andros residents to judge the PLP by its record and also touted plans to establish a hydroponic farm, lower egg prices and bring a new community clinic online.
“But that's just the start,” Mr Davis said. “The Blueprint for Progress lays out a vision for Andros that is bigger than any one project. We are focused on expanding opportunities across our islands.”
“Andros is going to play a starring role in the next phase of our country’s national development. We will begin planning for the development of the City of Andros, laying the foundation for Andros to become a hub of economic activity, environmental enterprise, and sustainable development.”
FNM LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD
PHOTOS: CHAPPELL WHYMS JR