woman & health
‘SON TARGETED BY HI S KILLER S ’
Relatives of two men killed over weekend looking for justice
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Reporter
Tribune Staff
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
TWO families are demanding answers after a violent weekend in New Providence left four men dead, including a 34-yearold man allegedly killed by someone he trusted and a 31-year-old fatally shot in what relatives believe was
a case of mistaken identity. Angela Collie, the mother of Andero Curry, believes her son was intentionally targeted and killed by someone he trusted during an incident early Saturday morning at a Fox Hill venue. According to police, the altercation began as a dispute between
OFFICER ACCUSED OF ASSAULT WITH FIREARM AND THREATS
By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A POLICE officer
accused of assaulting a man with a revolver on Woodstock Road last Friday was granted bail yesterday. Inspector Aaron Wilson, 40, appeared before Chief Magistrate Reckley on charges including possession of a firearm with intent to intimidate, assault with a deadly weapon, causing harm, and threats of death.
Prosecutors allege that Wilson threatened and assaulted Emmanuel Petit-Homme with a
Outgoing RBDF head has ‘no ill will’ for govt not renewing his contract
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
OUTGOING Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Raymond King said yesterday that he holds no ill will toward the Davis administration for not renewing his contract. While he suggested he
would have liked to remain longer, Commodore King acknowledged that “there is a season for everything” and that his time at the helm has come to a close. He made the remarks during an interview with The Tribune, where he reflected on his leadership, the RBDF’s
BY DENISE MAYCOCK
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A BUSH fire near Bahama Palm Shores triggered an urgent response Monday as emergency crews worked to contain hotspots sparked by wildfires that scorched Abaco over the weekend, damaging infrastructure and forcing school and business closures.
Roscoe Thompson, chairman of the Marsh Harbour/ Spring City Township, said although fires in Sweeting’s Village had been brought
Commodore King, who is set to demit office this week, said delays in funding approvals have hindered timely repairs to critical ships.
said he raised the issue with the
secretary and other government officials, urging them
Abaco fire crews fight to tackle hotspots
under control, officials were alerted to a new blaze in Bahama Palm Shores, a residential community in South Abaco that includes both locals and seasonal residents. The area, which has its own fire department, received backup after a message from the spouse of local fire chief Bruce Smith indicated additional support was needed. By the time volunteers and officials arrived with a fire truck, the flames had been contained.
Mr Thompson said teams, including local volunteers and police officers, continued dousing hotspots throughout the day with two trucks in constant operation. He noted that the Hope Town fire chief remained on standby should aerial water drops become necessary.
Wildfires have ravaged Abaco for over a week, destroying a utility shed at Cable Bahamas and disrupting daily life. Strong winds pushed flames across roadways, threatening communities like Sweeting’s Village.
Police Superintendent Stephen Rolle confirmed the fires were under control and that aerial support resumed Monday morning to suppress lingering hotspots. He said twelve additional firefighters — eight from New Providence and four from Grand Bahama — were flown in
to support teams already working in Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbour. He credited the assistance of a water plane, arranged with the help of Island Administrator Mr Pinder, for making a significant difference during overnight operations.
No injuries have been reported, but the fires have reignited political criticism of the government’s emergency response capacity.
Meanwhile, FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright slammed National Security Minister Wayne Munroe for what he called out-of-touch comments, arguing that front-line responders are working without adequate support.
He pointed to last week’s Bay Street fire, where limited resources forced authorities to pull equipment from the airport, briefly halting operations. Mr Cartwright said relying on five fire trucks to serve an archipelago of over 400,000 people is unacceptable.
He said firefighters are operating with professionalism and courage, despite having minimal resources, and called for meaningful investment in fire services.
He added that Bahamians witnessed firsthand the fear, property damage, and stretched emergency crews, and insisted that a government that downplays these realities is failing its people.
Bush fire threatens homes near Sapodilla Restaraunt on West Bay Street
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
A BUSH fire near homes on Sea Beach Boulevard off West Bay Street erupted Monday morning, threatening several properties after dry brush ignited.
The fire broke out shortly after 7am, with residents quickly taking action to prevent it from spreading. Using garden hoses, pool water, and pumps, they fought the flames before fire services arrived.
Fire crews worked to contain the blaze on the other side of melted fencing, staying on the scene as the fire continued to burn.
Elaine Pinder, owner of Sapodilla Restaurant and CEO of Bamboo Shack, said she was alerted to smoke in the area about an hour before speaking with reporters. She rushed to the scene to raise the alarm.
“The fire services arrived shortly after being called, but it appeared they were unable to fully extinguish the flames,” Ms Pinder said. “I called on a nearby construction crew to help by using a tractor to push down burning brush.”
The fire was especially distressing for Ms Pinder, as she had lost her warehouse to a fire six months ago, with damages estimated at over $1m.
Michael Dean, a
nearby resident, sprang into action when he learned the fire was heading toward his family’s property.
“I live about four or five houses down, and he told me there was a fire by our parents’ house,” Mr Dean said. “So he brought my mom, and he had called the fire, the fire truck. When I came here, the fire truck was fired a house, and then they went to the back. So I jumped over the fence and got some hoses and started putting out the fire.”
Mr Dean saw fencing and trees catch fire and used water to cool the roof, working with neighbors to contain the flames.
“They were pumping water from the pool, and we just went garden hoses kept the fire at bay maybe 30, 40 feet away from the home,” he said. His elderly mother was relocated for safety before the fire reached the house.
“Only my mom was here, but my brother brought her to my house so she was safe,” Mr Dean said. “It was just a matter of dealing with their home. We had three or four hoses, and we were able to contain it from coming further into the home.”
Michael Fields, another resident, said he was on the phone when the situation escalated.
“Luckily, neighbours came in, and they were very resourceful,” Mr
Fields said. “One neighbor, he thought of some pump. We used that to get the fire directly in this area. As you can see now, they’re using a pressure pump with a very long hose.”
Mr Fields added that fire crews had trouble accessing a section of the property due to dense brush and worked with residents to clear a path.
“They’re trying to get access to a payload that’s working for an adjacent property to cut a pathway for the fire truck to get to this area,” he said. “They can’t get to it that’s still smoldering because this is still a danger right here. If this flares up, this whole area could go.”
No injuries were reported, but minor property damage was estimated in the thousands.
“Probably in the 1000s, you know, 3, 4, 5 thousand dollars get, get the fencing and repair it,” Mr Fields said. “So we’re lucky, very lucky. Lives are preserved.”
Mr Dean said the fire was unprecedented for the area.
“I thought this was more so a swamp area, but I think because it’s been so dry, I don’t know what caused it,” he said. “This is the first time I could recall that there was a fire in this particular area.”
Officials had not provided a cause for the fire by press time, and fire services continued to monitor the area for flare-ups.
FIRE crews in Abaco continue to mop up smoulder areas as fires around Central Abaco are contained; however, other areas of the island are also dealing with fires.
RESIDENTS of homes along Sea Beach Boulevard off West Bay Street work to protect their properties from a bush fire yesterday.
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
‘Son targeted by his killers’
two men and escalated into a fatal stabbing.
Ms Collie, who lives in Exuma, said she was informed by her daughter that Curry had been at a club when the conflict broke out. She maintains that the attack was premeditated and carried out by someone within her son’s close social circle.
She described the situation as feeling suspicious and expressed disbelief over the official account, saying she felt there had to be more to the story than what was being reported.
She also questioned how someone who frequently visited their home and spent time with the family could turn violent, suggesting something deeper must have been at play.
When asked why she believed it was a setup, she said the relationships among those involved made it implausible that no one could have prevented the incident.
She also said she recently learned that a relative of someone her son knew previously pulled a gun on him, though details remain unclear.
The last time she saw her son was two to three weeks ago during a visit to New Providence. He
had planned to attend the Exuma Regatta but stayed back for work.
Curry worked in school repairs and had recently started a side business, hoping to become a fulltime entrepreneur. His murder was one of four over the weekend. That same day, 31-year-old Elroy Rolle was shot and killed on Williams Lane off Kemp Road. Police say he was leaving a residence when two gunmen ambushed him.
Ranaldo Rolle, cousin of the victim, said the loss has deeply shaken their close-knit family. He had seen Elroy just hours earlier while he was washing his car.
He explained that death is not something their family is used to, especially because the young men in their family steer clear of gangs or illegal activity. This, he said, makes the situation even harder to accept — losing someone they had just recently been with. The family is turning to their faith and one another to find strength. Grief surfaces unexpectedly throughout the day, Ranaldo noted, as the reality of Elroy’s death hits them repeatedly.
The Rolle relatives have a strong bond, having
ANDERO CURRY
ELROY ROLLE grown up more like siblings than cousins. The Rolle family grew up close, as cousins referring to each other as siblings.
“We grew up like brothers and sisters, eating out the same pots, sleeping in the same house,” he said. “We have like two aunties. His mummy would
have been one of my other aunts where all of us would go on a weekend, and everybody would pile up in the room. Our family still is spend time by our
grammy every Friday.” Elroy Rolle worked at Aquapure and had recently visited Exuma to explore a business opportunity.
Mother tells inquest son ‘terrified’ of officer
By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
THE mother of Deshoan Smith, one of three men shot and killed by police in a 2020 incident, said he was “terrified” of one of the officers involved when he was hospitalised for a separate shooting in 2019.
Linda Williams gave evidence yesterday during the inquest into the deaths of Deshoan “Spider” Smith, 25, Rashad Clarke, 28, and Jared Ford, 27. The men were fatally shot near Spikenard and Cowpen Roads on June 13 2020. Inspector Alcott Forbes, Corporal Kevin Greenslade Jr, and Police Constable Courtney Hall — the officers involved in the incident — were present in court. A five-member jury is tasked with determining what happened. Police previously said the men were in a white Honda Accord parked near Spikenard Cemetery. When officers approached, the vehicle allegedly fled and the men reportedly opened fire, prompting officers to return fire.
Ms Williams, the mother of five, said she received a call around 11am on the day of the shooting informing her that her son had been killed.
When she arrived at the scene, she said Cowpen Road was blocked off near Golden Isles Road. Although she identified herself to police, she claimed she was never allowed close to the scene of the shooting.
She alleged that officers were rude, pointed a gun at her and other relatives, and refused to let them through.
According to Ms Williams, an officer she recognised from Facebook
confirmed it was her son who had been shot.
She said the only time she saw the vehicle involved was when it was being towed. She described it as riddled with bullets, particularly in the doors and windscreen. She claimed the windows were up when the car passed and that she could see it was “shoot up”. She said the back window appeared undamaged, though her son had been shot in the back of the head.
Ms Williams said the last time she spoke to her son was the day before the shooting. He had told her he planned to bring his baby to her while he and his girlfriend looked for an apartment. She said he wanted to move out to avoid bringing “problems” to her home.
She said a friend of her son was killed on May 29, 2020, and Smith had been in custody until the Tuesday before the shooting. Though he seemed excited the day before his death, she recalled warning him that she didn’t want to identify him on the street. “I rather visit you in jail than bring flowers to your grave,” she told him.
After identifying her son at the morgue, she said he had a graveside service on June 30 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Ms Williams became emotional as she described her son as playful, jubilant, family-oriented, and the life of the party. She identified a morgue photo of him in court.
Under questioning by Maria Daxon, attorney for the deceased’s estates, Ms Williams said a gunshot wound to the right side of Smith’s face stood out to her. She also said he had what appeared to be two shots to the back of the
head, one to the torso, and one to the side of his ribs.
She confirmed her son was in the rear right passenger seat and wearing a monitoring device at the time. While she knew it was related to a 2019 offence, she couldn’t recall the specifics.
Ms Williams said she signed bail for her son twice, as did her husband and Smith’s girlfriend. She acknowledged that he had been in police custody for grievous harm and shooting offences.
She claimed police never informed her of how her son died. When she collected his belongings, she received only his ID. Although he also had a watch and chain, she wasn’t sure if he had them on when he died.
Ms Williams said she knew Insp Forbes and Cpl Greenslade. Insp Forbes, she said, was her neighbour, while Cpl Greenslade’s father was married to a relative. She claimed both would have known her son, noting that Insp Forbes and Smith were close in age and grew up near each other.
She said that after visiting her son in hospital following the 2019 shooting, she saw Insp Forbes on the ward and greeted him. The next day, she said, Smith appeared terrified and jumpy. He reportedly told her he could only rest during visiting hours and asked her to tell the nurse to lock the door afterwards — so “Alcott” couldn’t come in.
She claimed Smith was scared of Insp Forbes but didn’t explain why.
During cross-examination by Mr K Melvin Munroe, the officers’ attorney, Ms Williams said she had known Insp Forbes since primary school. She said he was in plain clothes
at the hospital, but she recognised him as a police officer.
She told Evidence Marshal Angelo Whitfield that she didn’t ask Insp Forbes why he was at the hospital, nor did her son say who shot him during his 12-day stay in 2019. However, she said police had visited him for questioning during that time. Ms Williams said she saw other officers on the ward and continued visiting her son throughout his hospital stay. She confirmed that Smith never saw Insp Forbes on the day she did and that he didn’t want the officer around him.
According to her, Smith once told her, “They want me on a T-shirt,” suggesting he feared someone wanted him dead, though he never said who. She said that beyond the hospital incident, her son never mentioned any problems with the police. He was occasionally questioned, she said, and worked in roofing.
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Former PM remembers Moncur
EDITOR, The Tribune. I WAS saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, former Senator, Rodney Moncur.
letters@tribunemedia.net
www.tribune242.com @tribune242 tribune news network
Listen to commodore on issues of accountability
COMMODORE Raymond King is
to leave his post – but we hope that some of his suggestions do not leave with him.
The commodore is being replaced as the head of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Captain Floyd Moxey is to be his successor.
Back in February this year, Commodore King did the decent thing – and stood up for transparency and accountability.
He said that he wants senior defence officers, particularly those involved in logistics, maintenance and procurement to be required to disclose their finances as part of efforts to combat corruption. Consider the backdrop to those calls. It came in the wake of the US indictment which alleged police and defence force officers were part of an international drug smuggling ring.
The reasoning behind such officers disclosing their finances is simple – if any unusual amounts of money start appearing in accounts, disclosures would help to show if they are coming from legitimate sources. Or otherwise.
It is the same reasoning why parliamentarians should live up to their requirements to disclose their finances each year – and the reason why The Tribune keeps asking the question as to who has disclosed, and who has not.
The statement also came in the wake of reports that Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Rolle had been awarded a nearly $1m contract to a company he founded by the government.
It was not an easy landscape, we would venture to say, to stand up and call for even greater measures to ensure that officers are doing the right
PICTURE OF THE DAY
That same US indictment though also placed question marks over the force being led by the commodore –and soon to be handed over.
Commodore King called the force’s internal systems “very robust” in the wake of that indictment, despite the allegations being made.
National Security Minister Wayne Munroe has also spoken of major setbacks in the force’s fleet of late, with several vessels out of service due to damage or scheduled maintenance.
Commodore King addressed that this week, saying such challenges are to be expected and that managing a fleet is costly and complex.
Tellingly, as people debate the funding of the fire service in the wake of several recent blazes, the commodore says that it is important to have sufficient funding to support the refitting costs necessary to maintain the fleet.
Yesterday, the commodore spoke further on the issue of accountability, suggesting that there should be a stricter vetting process for officers assigned to sensitive areas. This would be in addition to the regular security vetting, and would include a review of their financial backgrounds. He did not say it himself, but simply put, an officer facing bankruptcy or under financial strain could be targeted by gangs.
So as the incoming Commodore Moxey arrives, we hope that he will bear in mind some of his predecessor’s ideas.
Stricter measures to ensure the integrity of the force are important, especially given the accusations that have been made.
Commodore-to-be Moxey, it’s over
A special kind of character and personality, Rodney will be remembered by Bahamians of all walks of life. He was a product of Black Village, coming from the common man. He never sought to be more than that though he made it his life mission to seek better for all those he believed disadvantaged. He reminded all who would listen that his ear was always on the ground and that his voice would be used to lift high the concerns of those who hailed from his and like communities.
Rodney was an early political and community activist joining protest just out of high school. Early, he and others formed themselves into the Workers Party. He served as its Chairman. He was already back then a proponent for the legalisation of marijuana. Nothing satisfied him more than making light of the Establishment. I remember his sarcasm following his appointment to the Senate, delighting in telling the public that “two meats” were served at lunch in the Senate. I recall, especially
before the COVID-19 pandemic, that Rodney would fairly regularly join my Sunday coffee hangout at Starbucks. There he would share his views with all who would listen. He was controversial, the self-professed leader of “the women dem”. His views were often not politically correct or socially palatable but they were genuine.
Regardless to his political view, Rodney supported me. He liked my platform of embracing those who had the least. Indeed, he often claimed to be my counselor and advisor. As a radio commentator Rodney demonstrated an ability to connect with the highest office in the land while never losing the common touch. His popularity among ordinary Bahamians was evident by the success of his radio show. He enjoyed a massive fan base; faithful listeners of his programme. I remember once sitting with him when a lady came in with her two children ages around seven and nine. The children pointed
toward us and told their mother that the man at the table was Rodney Moncur. She asked whether they knew the other gentleman. They did not. She explained to us that the children spent every afternoon after school with their grandmother and that she was a devoted lister of Mr Moncur’s show. On the last occasion that Rodney stopped by our Sunday morning hang out, he told me that he was gravely ill. I did not understand that his passing was looming. In his life time he was a taxi driver, unionist, political activist, radio personality and community leader. He became a noted activist, a Justice of the Peace, a senator and finally a government advisor.
I join with Bahamians everywhere who mourn his passing and I extend sincere condolences to his wife and children and to all his friends, supporters and fans who have lost their leader and who will always remember him fondly.
May Rodney rest in peace.
HUBERT A INGRAHAM
Former Prime Minister of The Bahamas 5 May 2025
A tribute to J Henry Bostwick
EDITOR, The Tribune. Honourable J Henry Bostwick, a nation builder and titan at the criminal bar has gone home to take his rest.
Uncle Henry, as I affectionately called him, was solidly grounded as a God fearing man. For decades he was an active member of the Vestry of Christ the A nglican Church. Many bishops, priests and parishioners benefited from his support and sage
Talk to Dame Janet, unt Janet, about the man she called “my Henry” and speak with any member of the Bostwick family (of which he was Patriarch), you will see clear evidence of the fact that he was a family man. For him, the concept of “family” extended to community. He was a surrogate father to scores of Bahamians. W henever his advice was sought, he was there. I can personally attest to this fact.
Uncle Henry and A unt Janet were in front line politics at the same time. They supported each other and he was very proud of her national and international accomplishments, which could not have been achieved without his support. Both of them demonstrated how spouses could and should support each other as each tried to fully develop their God given gifts. They also supported each other in legal practice at the Bostwick and Bostwick law firm, where many were mentored,
including some now serving as Justices of the S upreme Court. There are four aspects of his contribution to national development that I wish to highlight.
First is his example that where one begins one’s life journey does not determine one’s destiny. He frequently spoke of the fact that one of his first jobs, if not his first job, was as a waiter. He became a leader at the Criminal Bar, Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and President of the S enate.
S econd, is his role in the preservation of democracy in The Bahamas. The formation of the the FNM, then the BDP, the FNDM and again the FNM can and should be seen as the period of struggle and commitment to preserve democracy in The Bahamas. A s we acknowledge today’s evidence of the fragility of democracy and the challenges that he and others would have faced at that time in the political history of The Bahamas, surely, we must thank him for his role the preservation of democracy in The Bahamas and in nation building.
Third, is he role in protection and preservation of the Rule of Law in The Bahamas. Without question, The Bahamas is seen as a safe haven for domestic and foreign investment. A contributing factor is respect for the Rule of Law. He served as president
of the Bar A ssociation and in 1994 took S ilk (was appointed Queen’s Counsel). It was well understood at the Bar that J Henry Bostwick took seriously his duty to the court as a member of the Bar and subsequently the Inner Bar. He loved the law, understood the importance of Lady Justice being seen to equally protect every member of our community and spared no effort in ensuring that clients, from the impecunious to the “well heeled”, understood and benefitted from his commitment to this principle. Fourth is mentorship. Many who came under his guidance, whether in courtrooms, political halls, or church pews, testify to the way he shaped their thinking, sharpened their values, and instilled in them the importance of public service. In acknowledgement of his national service, he was invested as a Companion of the Order of The Bahamas in 2020.
A nother patriot, filled with charisma and passion for service has gone to meet his Lord and S aviour.
May A unt Janet, the children, grandchildren and extended family be comforted by their wonderful memories of the Honourable J. Henry Bostwick who with dedication, passion and commitment served his God, family and nation.
May he rest in peace.
ALLYSON GIBSON May 5, 2025.
Stunning political turnaround in Canada
THE past year has not been good for incumbent governments in countries like the US, UK, Japan and Germany. But last week Canada and Australia bucked the trend. In both, the sitting governments triumphed in general elections.
In Canada, existing issues like the cost of living, energy and climate change that were expected to be uppermost on the campaign trail were overtaken by developments surrounding its giant neighbour to the south.
The election was held during economically turbulent times brought on by President Trump’s worldwide imposition of tariffs together with his threats about making Canada the 51st state of the US. To many, threats about territorial acquisition were all too real and needed to be addressed, even if, to others, such action by Trump remained fanciful.
After the Liberal party forced its own leader, the ineffectual and unpopular Justin Trudeau, to resign as prime minister, the party chose a political outsider, Mark Carney, to replace him. The new leader, who had never held elected public office before, was a former governor of the Bank of Canada and of the Bank of England. Despite being a political novice, therefore, he was said to be articulate, experienced and knowledgeable.
Just months ago, the long serving Liberals were well down in the polls and
The Peter Young column
seemed almost on the point of ignominious collapse as the opposition Conservatives were running high and heading for a handsome win. But, soon after stepping into his new role, the political novice Carney has achieved a remarkable victory, albeit a narrow one as a minority government. His party won 162 seats out of 343 in Canada’s Parliament, enough to form a minority government but falling ten short of a majority. It has secured a miraculous political resurrection that was also a landmark personal success for him by holding public office for the first time. Carney made it clear that his main focus would to be to stand up to Trump, and this approach evidently resonated strongly with voters. They switched their support in sufficient numbers to secure a narrow
victory over his previously highly rated Conservative party opponent who was expected to win in a landslide, but, incidentally, also lost his own parliamentary seat.
On the campaign trail, Carney spoke out resolutely against what his party characterised as the real threats Trump posed, both to Canada’s domestic economy and to its basic sovereignty as an independent nation. For many observers, his electoral success can be primarily attributed to his tough and effective handling of these threats which became the defining issue of the election.
Poor results for Labour and Tories in UK local elections
BEFORE the local elec-
tions in the UK on May 1, commentators were wondering whether the expected results would herald the end of the long-standing traditional dominance of the Conservative and Labour parties in British politics. Now, after sweeping wins by a new party, Reform UK, the general view seems to be that this is increasingly likely to happen. Reform UK claims to be the national political party that offers common sense policies on immigration, the cost of living, energy and issues like sovereignty. But it is also called a right-wing populist party.
A little research confirms that local elections are held at varying times in different areas of the country. But last week there were ballots in 23 different local councils and for a number of mayoralties. There was also a by-election in the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby, an industrial town in the north of England.
The results of these elections are interesting because they can also provide an indication of the current political situation in the UK at a national level.
In summary, Reform won more votes and more seats than any of its opponents by a clear margin.
The latest results show it is heading for gains of about 700 seats and of two mayoralties. The party has won overall control of no less than ten councils. It did particularly well in wards which voted for Brexit in the 2016 referendum. The Conservatives lost more than 600 councillors and all 15 of the councils they controlled, and this was said to be among the worst results in the party’s history.
The Liberal Democrats and Greens also enjoyed considerable success, with the former making gains in some councils at the expense of the Conservatives and withstanding in some cases the Reform tide while gaining control of 3 councils.
However, Labour lost nearly 200 council seats as well as the Runcorn by-election mentioned
above. This was a seat it had won comfortably at last year’s general election. But Reform won it by just six votes, giving the party its fifth MP at Westminster. Analysts suggest there has been the customary disillusionment with a sitting government even though Labour has been in power for less than a year and is in the process of implementing its political agenda. But it is still suffering from the public reaction to its imposition of austerity measures such as cutting winter fuel payments for the elderly. That said, it seems that the results of these elections were worse than either Labour or the Conservatives had anticipated. Reform made big gains across the country while both the major parties endured major losses. But it remains to be seen whether this might be replicated at a general election, not least because, barring unforeseen events, the next one is not due for some four years.
Many believe that Reform’s progress as a political party will depend a good deal on the actions of its leadership. Nigel Farage, its current leader, has said
the party now wants to get on with the job of running local councils and delivering for the people on the range of activities for which they are responsible.
He is already a wellknown politician in Britain even though he has only been an MP since 2024. He was a founder member of the UK Independence Party in 1993 and campaigned for years for Brexit. He has been a Member of the European Parliament and has been the face of “euroscepticism” in the UK for many years. He played a leading role in the 2016 Brexit referendum and went on to lead the Brexit Party which grew from UKIP and later developed in to Reform UK.
The latest developments suggest a degree of fragmentation in UK politics involving different parties with genuine aspirations to participate in the governance of the country. Reform UK is now riding high, primarily at the local level. But the next general election is too far away to make worthwhile predictions about the party’s emergence as a potentially credible candidate to take on the daunting task of governing the whole country.
His simple but unequivocal response to Trump’s approach about America owning Canada as its 51st state was to say that Trump was first trying to break Canada because “he wants our land, our resources, our water”, but “that will never, ever happen”. These were firm and strong words, indeed, that caught the electorate’s mood.
It is worth noting that historically the US and Canada have always been close partners enjoying a unique relationship forged by geography – a shared border of some 5,500 miles across land and water, often described as the longest
unmanned border in the world - similar values and common interests, strong personal connections, and close trade relations within broad economic links. The two countries are also politically and militarily aligned, sharing intelligence and as fellow members of NATO.
Carney has declared most recently – in the wake of Trump’s extreme actions -that what he termed the old relationship with the US is over. Now is the time, he says, to start negotiations about a new economic and security relationship with the US. In his first speech since winning the election, he said that he planned
to meet the US president in Washington as early as Tuesday this week. He also announced that King Charles, in his capacity as Canada’s head of state, would deliver the speech from the throne in Parliament on May 27, setting out the government’s legislative agenda. He said that having the monarch there – who acts on the advice of the prime minister as head of government - “underscored the sovereignty of our country”. This will be the first time for nearly 50 years that the monarch has opened the Canadian Parliament. The last time this happened was in 1977 when The Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee. She also carried out this function in 1956. Normally, of course, it is the role of the Governor-General.
This rare gesture will not be just symbolic but also a strategic move to assert Canada’s sovereignty - as a vast and varied country geographically as well as being rich and well developed with a population of some 40 million - in face of Trump’s continuing threat to absorb it into the US. Historically, it has been Canada’s own choice as an independent nation to maintain its status as a constitutional monarchy with ties to the Crown – and this, of course, is the defining feature that sets its national identity apart from that of America’s. In Carney’s words, Canada is different from the US and prefers to stay that way.
AUSTR A LI A RETURNS SITTING GOVERNMENT
AS the other country bucking the trend against incumbent governments, now being called the “incumbency curse” mentioned elsewhere on this page, Australia has just held a general election and has seen its existing governing party win overwhelmingly. Newspaper headlines have been competing to produce extremes to reflect what has been an amazing turnaround in electoral fortunes for the sitting prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and his centre-left Labor government in achieving an unexpected landslide victory over the opposition conservative Liberal-National coalition.
As in Canada, the opposition leader lost his own seat which he had held for many years. There is insufficient space to go into this properly today. But, reportedly, people are now looking for an explanation for the success of what had become an unpopular governing party, and for Albanese himself as its leader, when both were at record lows at the beginning of the year. During the campaign, it appears that the main issues were concerns about the cost of living and, in particular, the affordability of healthcare and housing. But, almost inevitably the so-called Trump factor crept in. In an uncertain world made
worse, it is said, by the US president’s erratic moves on the global stage, people are seeking stability, consistency and security in their own backyard – so that what one already has and can live with is preferable to the doubt and distrust of the unknown. Watching Albanese’s victory speech, it seemed to me that he has become more prime ministerial as – in a notably positive and optimistic manner - he stressed the importance of the unity of the nation and the need for people to help one another according to need. It seems that, for many people, Australia’s future is looking better than ever following last week’s election.
CANADIAN Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to supporters on stage at his campaign headquarters after the Liberal Party won the Canadian election in Ottawa, Ontario, on April 29, 2025. Photo: Justin Tang/AP
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gestures during a press conference in Sydney, Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Photo: Dean Lewins/AP
UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage.
Photo: Paul Marriott/AP
Challenge of obesity
LIVING healthy is relative. What is good for one person may not be so good for others, and what is beneficial for me may not be of great benefit to you. The strain on our health care system could be less if we all were more responsible.
On the family island, our diet was a celebration of health. People lived longer, children were stronger and smarter because of little distraction or bad habits that are fueled today by television.
We savoured the bounty of the soil and the freshness of the sea. There was no refrigeration because it was not needed, we ate fresh vegetables and fresh fish. The absence of automobiles made walking our only mode of transportation, except for a horse or donkey. And when the sun set, it was a signal for rest. We were healthier because we were not distracted by the trappings of modernity. Eating well was ingrained in us from habit, our mothers took the family serious. However, moving to Nassau and being anxious to abandon the island life, we adopted what we saw in Nassau, thinking it was a better way of life. Taking shortcuts to preparing meals then became the order of the day. We stopped eating fresh fruits and became fancy by purchasing more groceries and refrigerating which started to wean us because the food was not fresh anymore but processed to last longer. Snacks made from artificial ingredients, laced with salt and sugar became more palatable. We became cute by dining out instead of eating
BY IVO I NE INGRAHAM
a well-prepared homecooked meal. We lost the time to bond as a family. Instead of exercising, we ate, relaxed, and lay down to watch television before the food was digested. So, the metabolism did not work as it should, and then a tiny bulge appeared. It’s cute. Our friends and family noticed it and joked, attributing it to good living. We succumb to societal pressures and ridicule those who have managed to stay slim and fit. We mock them, calling them sick, and even pressure them to gain weight. Without realising it, we follow their advice because everyone else is overweight. We even have euphemisms like “solid”, which is just another word for “fat”. Recognising these societal pressures and not letting them dictate our health choices is important. Some people put on weight to appease their mates, who say they love them that way, when, in fact, that is just an excuse
for being lazy.
So, because of peer pressure, poor diet, and low self-esteem, we find out that another thirty pounds sneaked on us. After receiving backhanded compliments for looking good, we settled for three larger dress sizes.
Our appeal is now losing stock, and we are becoming depressed. We keep telling ourselves that we will exercise, but we use the fact that no one wants to go with us as an excuse. All the while, we eat more to satisfy the pain of seeing the deterioration.
Depression sets in, and there are fewer dates, so we hibernate and eat to ease the pain of frustration. The more we eat, the bigger we get, the bigger we get, the more frustrated we become, and the more we eat.
There is less fraternising, less socialising, and less confidence. But that does not stop us from spiralling into further depression until soon there is no resistance.
The mental, physical, and psychological deterioration from obesity is serious. Unless and until there is a serious self-evaluation, there will be no progress. Unless there is an admission that there is a problem, there will be no progress. And if there is no will to do something about it, the situation could easily spiral out of control.
Obesity is not a final blow, but it could be a wake-up call to appreciate life more. There will be no results unless there is a concerted effort to stop blaming anyone else and take control. If you are overweight, it is your fault. It is not personal,
but you must get a grip on yourself and make an effort to fix it. This could involve consulting a nutritionist, starting a regular exercise routine, and gradually changing your diet. You could do this. You deserve the best quality of life, to please no one else but yourself.
There is a great reward when you finally get to a healthy size. If you are overweight, it taxes the heart and lungs and puts great strain on your limbs. If you carry more weight than the heart was designed to carry, there will be challenges. It’s crucial to address this issue before it leads to serious health problems.
So stop measuring your health by how someone else looks; that’s them, not
you. Embrace your unique journey to health and focus on self-care. Stop following fashion because obesity is a disease: Cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea, it’s a risk to your health, but with selfacceptance and self-care, you can overcome it. The Bahamian diet does nothing to help. Peas and rice, macaroni heavy in mayonnaise, and meat fried in animal fat and heavy in salt may be tradition, but it is a recipe for ill health and the destruction of your self-esteem, regardless of how much you pretend to be happy.
Fast food is fast death. Laziness has caused us to take shortcuts in rearing our children. Even though it is fashionable,
most cannot afford to buy it daily. Still, we do what irresponsible parents do: appease our children who are now hooked on grease and salt, a recipe for disaster or pay through the nose at the hospital later.
Much strain is put on the healthcare system because we are an unhealthy country. We only get serious and run for fruits when admitted to the hospital; that alone should tell us that we know what is good for us; we play crazy.
Let’s face reality: good health is great wealth.
When you look good, you feel great, your selfesteem is higher, and you live longer.
No one is telling you what to do; just suggesting a better way of life. The choice is yours.
Trump govt says it will pay immigrants in US illegally $1,000 to leave country
WASHINGTON Associated Press
PUSHING forward with its mass deportation agenda, President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday that it would pay $1,000 to immigrants who are in the United States illegally and return to their home country voluntarily.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a news release that it would also pay for travel assistance — and that people who use an app called CBP Home to tell the government they plan to return home will be “deprioritised” for detention and removal by immigration enforcement.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” Secretary Kristi Noem said. “DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App.”
The department said it had already paid for a plane ticket for one migrant to return home to Honduras from Chicago and said more tickets have been booked for this week and next.
It’s a major part of Trump’s administration
Trump made immigration enforcement and the mass deportation of immigrants in the United States illegally a centrepiece of his campaign, and he is following through during the first months of his administration. But it is a costly, resource-intensive endeavour.
While the Republican administration is asking Congress for a massive increase in resources for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement department responsible for removing people from the country, it’s also pushing people in the country
illegally to “self-deport.”
It has coupled this selfdeportation push with television ads threatening action against people in the US illegally and social media images showing immigration enforcement arrests and migrants being sent to a prison in El Salvador.
The Trump administration has often portrayed self-deportation as a way for migrants to preserve their ability to return to the United States someday, and the president himself suggested it on Monday while speaking to reporters at the White House. He said immigrants who “self-deport” and leave the US might have a chance to return legally eventually “if they’re good people” and “love our country.”
“And if they aren’t, they won’t,” Trump said.
But Aaron ReichlenMelnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, which advocates for immigrants, said there’s a lot for migrants to be cautious about in the latest offer from Homeland Security. He said it’s often worse for people to leave the country and not fight their case in immigration court, especially if they’re already in removal proceedings. He said if migrants are in removal proceedings and don’t show up in court they can automatically get a deportation order and leaving the country usually counts as abandoning many applications for relief including asylum applications. It can be an intricate process
And Homeland Security is not indicating that it is closely coordinating with the immigration courts so that there are no repercussions for people in immigration court if they leave, he said.
“People’s immigration status is not as simple as
this makes it out to be,” Reichlen-Melnick said.
He questioned where Homeland Security would get the money and the authorization to make the payments — and he suggested they are necessary because the administration can’t arrest and remove as many people as it has promised so it has to encourage people to do it on their own.
“They’re not getting their numbers,” he said.
As part of its self-deportation effort, the Trump administration has transformed an app that had been used by the Biden administration to allow nearly 1 million migrants to schedule appointments to enter the country into a tool to help migrants return home. Under the Biden administration, it was called CBP One; now it’s dubbed CBP Home. Homeland Security said “thousands” of migrants have used the app to
self-deport.
But Mark Krikorian, who heads the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for less immigration, said he doesn’t see the offer of paying people to go home as an admission that something in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda isn’t working.
Considering the millions of people who are in the country illegally, he said, it’s impossible to deport all of them so the administration has to combine its own enforcement efforts with encouraging people to go home voluntarily.
Krikorian said he supports the idea of paying migrants to leave although he questioned how it would work in reality.
This has been tried before Other countries have tried various iterations of paying migrants to return home. There’s a reason it’s attractive to governments wanting to encourage migrants to go. It costs less to buy someone a plane ticket and some incentive money than it does to pay to find them, detain them if necessary, wait for the courts to rule on their case and then send them home.
The Department of Homeland Security said that it costs $17,121 to arrest, detain and remove someone in the US illegally.
Voluntary returns also don’t require extensive government-to-government negotiations to get a country to take back its
“How do you make sure that they’ve actually gone home? Do you make them sign an agreement where they agree not to challenge their removal if they were to come back?” he questioned. “The execution matters, but the concept is sound.”
citizens, which can be a major benefit. There are a number of countries that either don’t take back their own citizens who are being returned by US immigration enforcement officials or make that process challenging.
A 2011 study by the Migration Policy Institute and the European University Institute found that there were about 128 programs — often referred to as pay-to-go programs — around the world.
But the study found that, with a few exceptions such as one program to return people in the 1990s from Germany to Bosnia, these voluntary return programs generally failed at encouraging large numbers of people to go home.
It is not clear whether these programs resulted in migrants who took the payments actually staying in their home countries and not trying to emigrate again.
HOMELAND Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference, April 9, 2025, in Washington.
Photo: Alex Brandon/AP
Celebrating Bahamian talent and culture in UK
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE Performing Arts Alive Theatre (PAAT) of Grand Bahama recently returned from its inaugural Pride of The Bahamas tour in the UK, a two-week cultural showcase celebrating Bahamian talent. The production, which included dance, drama, singing, and performance poetry, was well received in London, fostering cultural exchange and connections with both Bahamians and Britons.
The tour, which ran from April 12 to 25, featured 18 Bahamian performers, ranging in age from six to 18, under the direction of PAAT artistic directors Eisenhower “Ike” Williams, Terri Johnson, and Lolita Johnson. The tour’s success has led to discussions about a possible London-Bahamas exchange next year. While in London, the group performed at various venues, including the Bahamas High Commission, schools, a community youth centre, and a care facility for the elderly. They also participated in workshops with cast members from The Lion King. David
Blake, a former Lion King cast member, conducted a musical theatre dance masterclass, and Karlene Wray led drama and singing workshops.
On April 17, Paul Gomez, Bahamas High Commissioner in London, hosted the group at Bahamas House. He praised their vibrant display of Bahamian culture, noting, “It is amazing you started your performance with, ‘Tell Me Why.’ I think it is really a fantastic way to start a show about the Bahamas in a foreign land because it says it all.”
Anthony Stuart, senior director at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation in the UK, emphasised the importance of theatre in building life skills, national pride, and self-confidence, while also serving as an effective promotional tool for The Bahamas.
PAAT’s performances were not just on stage — they also visited local schools and care facilities. The group’s April 24 visit to Cumberland House, a care facility for dementia patients, was especially memorable as residents, some of whom
had struggled with memory, began singing along to Bahamian songs.
Terri Johnson, artistic director, said the trip showcased the performers’ discipline and versatility across the art forms of singing, dancing, and acting. “The kids were awesome,” she said.
PAAT members Anaiah Sands, 10; Lailah Bowen, 12; and Wannaya Hanna, 13, described the experience as unforgettable. “London is amazing,” said Anaiah. “I especially enjoyed the workshop we did with kids from a London community center. David and Karlene taught us to sing and dance to the scene where Scar says, ‘I killed Mufasa.’ It was so fun!” Lailah added that the Lion King training was priceless, while Wannaya described the trip as inspiring.
Before returning home, the group toured iconic London sites and watched Back to the Future and Hamilton in the West End. The tour not only showcased the incredible talent of young Bahamians but also deepened cultural bonds and paved the way for future opportunities.
Photos: Develon Ellis