PETTY PROMISES 300 CROWN LAND DEEDS
Pledge made amid scrutiny over land grants as election nears
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
PLP candidate Sylvanus Petty said the government plans to distribute more than 300 Crown land grants in North Eleuthera, making the pledge at a campaign rally Tuesday night amid scrutiny over how Crown land is being handled during the election season.
Mr Petty, the Progressive Liberal Party’s candidate for North Eleuthera, made
the announcement as he promoted what he described as infrastructure and development gains under the Davis administration across North Eleuthera, including Harbour Island, Current Island, Spanish Wells and Russell Island.
“We are granting over 300 Crown land grants in North Eleuthera,” Mr Petty said. “The prime minister promised me that he would
Darville pledges to pass laws for families abandoning patients
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
THE Davis administration would pursue legislation to hold families accountable for abandoning relatives in hospital if re-elected, Health and Wellness Minister
Dr Michael Darville said yesterday, sharpening the government’s response to a problem he said is clogging public hospital beds and delaying care.
Dr Darville has repeatedly raised concerns about “boarders” at Princess MINISTER of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville
Mitchell blames ‘poor communication’ for advance poll box confusion
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
PLP chairman Fred Mitchell has warned that poor communication from election ofcials caused “regrettable confusion” over the movement of advance poll boxes this
week, saying the party is being unfairly blamed whenever problems arise in the electoral process.
In a May 5 letter written on behalf of his party, Mr Mitchell criticised the “timing and manner of communication” to the
Ingraham targets Sebas Bastian’s potential rise to prime minister
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday said he had no intention of campaigning against Prime Minister Philip Davis seeking a second term, but changed his mind over concerns about the Progressive Liberal Party’s future leadership. Speaking at a Free National
Movement rally on Wednesday night, Mr Ingraham said he reconsidered after refecting on what a second Davis administration could mean for PLP Fort Charlotte candidate Sebas Bastian potentially rising to become prime minister. “Now, you know, Brave is my friend. We are on diferent teams, so we never vote for each other,” Mr
PLP CHAIRMAN FRED MITCHELL
FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham
MINISTER of Healtth and Wellness Dr Michael Darville along with Public Hospital Authroirty officials cut the ribbon on a new mobile blood bank yesterday. See PAGE SEVEN for STORY
Photo: Shawn Hanna
USCG appeals for tips on missing woman
A MONTH after Lynette Hooker disappeared from the boat she shared with her husband in Abaco, the US Coast Guard is appealing for information and seeking to speak with the owner of a sailboat believed to have been moored nearby.
Hooker, 55, went missing on April 4 after she fell overboard in a small dinghy in route to their yacht in Hope Town.
Her husband, Brian Hooker, told authorities that his wife fell overboard with the boat’s keys, causing the engine to shut off, and that she was swept away by strong currents.
He reportedly paddled for hours before reaching Marsh Harbour Boat Yard, where he alerted authorities.
Police initially questioned Mr Hooker in connection with the
incident but he was later released.
Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles reportedly told NBC investigators have recovered only a flotation device so far, which remains the sole piece of evidence.
Local authorities had no new updates when contacted by The Tribune yesterday.
In a statement on social media, the US
Embassy in Nassau said:
“The US Coast Guard Investigative Service is asking the public for info about the disappearance of Lynette Hooker with in Aunt Pat’s Bay, Elbow Cay, Bahamas on April 4.”
“CGIS is looking for the owner of the sailboat below moored near the SV Soulmate. People with info are urged to submit tips through the Coast Guard tips app.”
LYNETTE HOOKER
Ingraham urges voters to stop Sebas at poll
Ingraham said. “I had no intention of speaking against his candidacy for a second time.” However, he said: “When I look around and see what a second time would mean, Sebas being placed on a ladder, on a potential pathway to become prime minister of The Bahamas?”
Mr Ingraham urged Fort Charlotte voters to support FNM candidate Travis Robinson, arguing that stopping Mr Bastian in the constituency would prevent his future rise within the PLP.
“If you want to make sure
Perry is his daddy,” Mr Ingraham said. “Perry went against the will of the people in the Bahamas and made Sebas the man he is today.”
Mr Ingraham also argued that wealth should not determine electoral success, recalling the 1997 Fort Charlotte race.
“At the time Zhivargo had a net worth of $14,000. His opponent declared he had a net worth of $14 million,” he said. “And guess what? Fort Charlotte sent Zhivargo to the House and sent the millionaire home.”
Sebas doesn’t become your prime minister, stop him in Fort Charlotte,” he said.
Mr Ingraham also criticised Mr Bastian’s political history, saying he had previously been associated with the FNM.
“And if anybody comes to you in Fort Charlotte who is not Travis Robinson and tell you they are still FNM, because when I left in 2012 Sebas was FNM, if they tell you to remember they they were FNM say to them simply be gone, I know you not,” he said.
He later questioned why Mr Davis nominated Mr Bastian as a candidate.
“Because after all, you know, Sebas calls Perry Christie daddy, because
Earlier in his address, Mr Ingraham described last week’s advanced poll as “chaotic” and renewed calls for elections to be overseen by an independent and properly resourced commission rather than the government through the Parliamentary Registration Department.
Mr Ingraham said “in some instances the wrong persons were chosen to lead our electoral process”, suggesting this should not have happened.
“But we’re not going to dwell on that. We’ve known in the past how to conduct elections fairly, orderly, and honestly,” he said. He framed the issue as one of democratic trust, saying the governing party manages the electoral process while the opposition also has a responsibility to ensure the
rules are followed.
Mr Ingraham said acceptance of election results depends on public confdence in the process.
“That’s one of the reasons why the party with the majority of votes after the election is accepted, not only by the majority, but also by the minority — those who voted against it,” he said.
Despite criticising the organisation of the advanced poll, Mr Ingraham said he was encouraged to see voters standing in “disorganised lines”, calling it “a good display of our democracy”.
He urged FNM supporters to remain in line “no matter how long it takes” and vote for the party on May 12.
Mr Ingraham said he hoped this would be the last election where the conduct of elections remained in the hands of the government.
“I pray this last election in the Bahamas, where the control of the conduct of the election is left in the hands of a government,” he
said. He argued elections should instead be overseen by an independent and properly resourced commission, noting that other countries in the region had already adopted that approach.
“Countries all over our region have determined long ago that conduct of elections should be in the hands of an independent, neutral commission, properly resourced and supplied with employees to do the job,” he said.
Mr Ingraham also called for modernisation of the country’s voting system, saying he hoped this would be the last election requiring voters to carry paper voter cards.
“You know, I’ve been at many places in the world as an election observer, and find very backward countries have those same cards,” Mr Ingraham said. “They start giving out biometric cards. And only in the Bahamas, in the Caribbean, even Haiti got biometric cards.”
He said his administration attempted to introduce similar reforms more than two decades ago, but the proposal was rejected in a referendum.
“We tried that 23 years ago, when we passed a law in the House to do just that,” he said. “The PLP even support us at that time, but we foolishly, I say in retrospect, put that to a referendum and you say no.”
Mr Ingraham further said he hoped The Bahamas would eventually move away from the practice of marking voters’ fingers with ink after ballots are cast.
Speaking on ballot security, he said FNM poll workers must closely monitor presiding officers and ensure only one ballot is issued to each voter. He also criticised what he alleged occurred at an advanced poll site, claiming ballots were counted improperly and ballot boxes moved without all parties being informed.
FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham speaks during an FNM rally at the old Carnival grounds last night.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
FNM LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD
‘PM will be back in five days to deliver the Crown land’
be back in fve days to deliver the Crown land.”
The pledge drew cheers and the sound of horns from PLP supporters as Mr Petty cast the initiative as part of a broader push to expand opportunity for residents and encourage Bahamians to remain in or return to Family Island communities.
His remarks came days after The Tribune reported that PLP candidate for East Grand Bahama Dr Monique Pratt faced criticism after telling supporters at a rally that she had Crown land deeds “in my possession” and had been instructed by Prime Minister Philip Davis to release them to residents. Those comments prompted the Free
National Movement to question transparency, political patronage and whether Crown land allocations were being handled through campaign platforms rather than ofcial government channels.
Mr Petty linked the planned grants in North Eleuthera to wider development plans for Current Island and other northern settlements.
“We gotta make sure Current Island be very, very, very, very, very popular, very populated, because they deserve it,” he said.
The Crown land pledge formed part of a wider speech in which Mr Petty defended his record over four years as the constituency’s representative and outlined projects he said were completed during the PLP’s term in ofce.
“I did not do it for fame or for favor,” Mr Petty told supporters at the rally. “I did it to advance the communities and the people of North Eleuthera.”
He also said the government improved power generation capacity in Harbour Island, expanded water storage by more than 7.5m gallons and secured permanent and pensionable jobs for constituents.
Mr Petty also cited road works, a new dock in Harbour Island and water-related projects in Spanish Wells and Russell Island.
As the election campaign intensifes, Mr Petty urged supporters to keep backing the governing party.
“This is no time to turn back,” he said. “We moving forward.”
Moxey urges peaceful conduct ahead of next week’s vote
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
NEWLY appointed
Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) president Mario Moxey has issued a strong appeal for political candidates to be mindful of their conduct as election nears.
Mr Moxey called for respectful, peaceful dialogue in a open letter to candidates yesterday, warning that the tone set can help shape national unity after next week’s vote.
“If we are to move our country forward after this election, then we must elevate how we engage one another before it. The way we handle disagreement today will determine the level of unity we are able to achieve tomorrow,” he said.
His appeal for peace comes amid a series of controversial behaviour
involving several candidates in recent weeks.
Rick Fox, the FNM’s candidate for Garden Hills, drew scrutiny last week after a viral video showed him being restrained during a heated exchange at the Kendall GL Isaacs Gym, a day before advanced polling took place there. He later apologised to his family and campaign team for his actions.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident the following day, PLP candidate JoBeth Coleby-Davis blocked a classroom door and demanded ballot boxes be brought outside during a chaotic confrontation after Thursday’s advance poll. She alleged that the returning ofcer acted outside established procedures, but the parliamentary registration department found no wrongdoing.
Yesterday, Pastor Moxey acknowledged that while
confict is inevitable in a democracy, how we resolve it remains a choice.
While calling for measured words and guided responses, the religious leader noted that it is possible to be frm without being hostile and to disagree without getting disrepectful.
“Solomon,” he said, “said in Proverbs 15:1 (NLT), ‘A gentle answer defects anger, but harsh words make tempers fare.’ At a time when emotions can run high, your leadership has the power to either calm the atmosphere or charge it. Choose to be a stabilizing force. Choose to bring dignity to the process. Choose the high road.”
He reminded that after next week’s election, the country will remain one people, “sharing one nation with a collective responsible to move forward.”
“May history record not only the outcomes
of this election, but the honor with which it was conducted,” he said. “May your leadership elevate the conversation, strengthen
our unity, and model the very best of who we are as Bahamians.”
He concluded by inviting candidates to join the
for
PLP NORTH ELEUTHERA CANDIDATE SYLVANUS PETTY
council’s hour of prayer
a peaceful election on Monday at Living Waters Kingdom Ministries.
BAHAMAS CHRISTIAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT MARIO MOXEY
Govt to tackle families not collecting elderly left at the hospital
BOARDERS from page one
Margaret Hospital and Rand Memorial Hospital, patients who remain in hospital despite no longer requiring active treatment.
In many cases, he said, families refuse to collect elderly relatives.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Darville said the issue continues to weaken bed capacity, forcing ofcials to work with private sector groups to fnd appropriate support and facilities for the patients.
“It is a concern for us,” he said.
“Should the Lord bless us with a second term in ofce, you will see where the new legislation will
point specifcally to that, where families will be held accountable and those who are receiving National Insurance benefts for their loved ones, if they leave them with us, we will move swiftly to address those concerns.”
Dr Darville said boarders have long strained the Public Hospitals Authority. He said ofcials remain compassionate toward elderly patients, but warned that the burden on the healthcare system is signifcant.
“I’m making it very clear that they are taking up a lot of precious bed space, which causes the delay in our Accident Emergency and the movement of individuals from A&A to the
ward,” he said.
In October 2024, Dr Darville said the government was taking “serious steps” to address elderly care as more patients were being left in hospitals.
He said ofcials had been coordinating with Social Services and the Sandilands Geriatric Facility to develop strategies to ease pressure on public health facilities and protect the safety and dignity of older residents.
The problem is not limited to The Bahamas. The Jamaica Observer has reported that the abandonment of relatives at hospitals is a longstanding issue in Jamaica, where ofcials have warned that it continues to afect bed availability.
PARTIES CLASH OVER MOVEMENT OF ADVANCE POLL BALLOT BOXES
party’s representatives after controversy erupted Tuesday over plans to move advance poll boxes from police headquarters to the Parliamentary Registration Department.
Representatives of the country’s major political parties later expressed satisfaction with the handling of the boxes after an agreement was reached to move them yesterday morning instead of Tuesday evening.
“Our representatives report that there was short notice for what was a routine election procedure on Tuesday, 5 May, 2026,” Mr Mitchell said. “This short notice resulted in regrettable confusion at the site of the police headquarters.”
“We do not share the view that the public drama at the police headquarters was necessary, but this is what we have come to expect from Opposition parties who appear to be on a mission to discredit the ofce when in fact your ofce has been a study in excellent cooperation.”
“However, it would be useful to seek to avoid any such further opportunities for them and adverse criticisms of our party if there is an agreed strategy of reasonable and early communication between us and all other parties involved in the processes.”
“Our concern is that every time there appears to be a default, it is the PLP that is being blamed for the issues when in fact we bear no responsibility for it and like
other parties to the matter have similar concerns.”
The letter was released after the Free National Movement and the Coalition of Independents objected to the initial process on Tuesday night. The Nassau Guardian reported that ofcials said the Parliamentary Registration Department was required to transport the boxes to the Family Islands ahead of the election.
Speaking outside police headquarters yesterday, FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands said a “civilised process” had unfolded, with representatives from the major political parties
observing the movement of advance poll boxes that were intact.
“We identifed the 11 Family Island advanced poll boxes, which you have seen move out of the vault and into this bus. We then watched as they secured the remaining advanced poll boxes,” Dr Sands said.
“These boxes, we understand, will now be moved to the Parliamentary Registration Department, accompanied by, again, two agents from each organisation. This was what we hoped would happen, even yesterday.”
However, Dr Sands said
a meeting should have been held before the planned movement of the boxes, rather than after Tuesday night’s protest.
He said all parties share responsibility for protecting the integrity of the election process and repeated concerns about the Parliamentary Registration Department’s handling of the election so far.
“We all stakeholders in ensuring a fair and free election,” he said. “You know, arbitrary procedures do not help, particularly given the track record of this parliamentary registration department. They have
not a good job. We saw the advanced poll absolute, perhaps complete chaos around the country.”
Alex Storr, the PLP’s Family Island campaign coordinator, rejected suggestions that any party was given an advantage in the process.
Mr Storr said he believed all groups were notifed at about 3pm Tuesday. He said the parliamentary commissioner was receptive and that parties discussed the logistics for yesterday’s transfer, which were then followed.
Mr Storr denied the allegation.
“There was cellophane tape on the boxes,” he said.
“Some of the tape may appear a little bit, but it was obvious that they weren’t tampered because all the parties put their seal on the boxes and none of those were broken.”
“I have no major concern that there’s interference. This is the same process that goes on every election time, and I don’t understand why there’s such an uproar this time.
COI leader Lincoln Bain said the process was acceptable but alleged that seals on the boxes were already broken or lifted. He urged ofcials to fnd a diferent way to seal the boxes.
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS DR MICHAEL DARVILLE
PLP CHAIRMAN FRED MITCHELL
The Tribune Limited
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH,
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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A crusading legacy
WE live in a world where information moves at nearly the speed of thought. Given the ease with which almost anyone can purport to report the news, opinion often masquerades as fact, and a serious media organisation can be hobbled by age-old practices such as refection, double-checking facts and sources, and testing for the appearance of bias with our own internal checks and balances.
But these are not luxuries for a crusading newspaper such as this—they are vital.
At The Tribune today, we do not take our responsibility lightly, nor have we ever.
For more than 120 years, this institution has stood, sometimes against what appears to be insurmountable odds, as the Voice to those who have no Voice.
Bahamians have turned overwhelmingly to these pages not for comfort, but for clarity, strength, and unvarnished truth.
Our motto speaks plainly and without compromise: we are “Bound to swear to the dogmas of no master.”
These words are the discipline we live by. They demand that we resist pressure and intimidation, and reject extraneous factors in favour of pursuing the truth wherever it leads, whether that truth is convenient or not.
That commitment has defned our legacy.
Through two world wars, independence, political upheaval, and national triumphs, The Tribune has documented the major moments of this country with robust reporting and an unyielding dedication to accuracy. We guard that
reputation jealously because it is not ours alone; it belongs to the Bahamian people who rely on it.
That does not mean we are immune to error—like the recent headlines on Leslie Miller—but it does mean that we must take extra care to be accountable. And to hold ourselves to the same standard we hold others.
When we do not get it right, or when the lines between scrutiny and fairness become blurred, we do not retreat; we correct. Quickly, transparently, and without hesitation.
That is the standard we hold ourselves to, especially when it is uncomfortable.
The Bahamas is days away from another general election. So that standard matters more than ever.
The days ahead will be flled with noise, persuasion, and competing narratives. But trust is the most valuable currency of the journalist, and we seek to earn it every day.
We do this work not for any political party. We do it for God and country. We do it for the generations who came before us, who fought to shape this nation, and for those yet to come who will inherit it.
Personalities will rise and fall. Governments will change. The tides of public life will shift, as they always have. But the principle that guides this newspaper will remain constant.
Because while power is temporary, integrity is eternal. And as long as there is a Tribune, we will be guided by that standard—regardless of what others may think.
FNMs plan for national lottery
EDITOR, The Tribune.
ONE of the good gifts that we in The Bahamas received from British colonialism is our nation’s constitution. Article 26(4) (d) of our constitution exclusively empowers the government to determine who may or may not engage in any and all aspects of gambling, and to do so in discriminatory ways if it so chooses.
However, despite this being the case, on January 28, 2013, the then Christie-led PLP government chose to go the route of a referendum to allow Bahamian voters to decide two gambling proposals: whether to legalise numbers gambling and whether to introduce a national lottery.
So, why would a government with unbridled constitutional power to decide all matters pertaining to gambling defer to voters to determine whether to legalise numbers gambling and introduce a national lottery?
I ofer two reasons. First, I believe former Prime Minister Perry Christie and his government knew that both numbers gambling and a national lottery were bad for The Bahamas, so they wanted to avoid making those decisions themselves. I say this because if Mr Christie and his government believed those two gambling activities were good for The Bahamas, they would have gladly decided in favor of one or both of them and taken credit for the same with equal gladness.
Second, it was quite evident that Mr Christie and his government were confdent that the Bahamian electorate would vote yes to one or both gambling proposals. But to their shock, the Bahamian electorate overwhelmingly rejected both. As a result, Mr Christie and his government were forced to spurn the referendum outcome and legalise numbers
gambling themselves. Consequently, they themselves are now responsible for the incalculable economic and social harm this greed-fueled activity continues to infict on Bahamian society. In light of this troubling background to the legalisation of numbers gambling, it is gravely concerning that the FNM has announced plans to introduce a national lottery if elected. Since the Bahamian electorate voted no to both the legalisation of numbers gambling and the introduction of a national lottery, why would the FNM propose to introduce a national lottery and thereby show the same disregard and disdain for them that the PLP demonstrated in their decision to legalise numbers gambling? Through a national lottery, the government will be standing in line with the owners of numbers houses and joining them in the ongoing fnancial gangrape of those who gamble, especially those who are poor and needy. This is wrong. Such is not the role of any government, whose duty it is to protect its people, not exploit them. Nor should a government aid and abet private entities in the fnancial exploitation of its people by licensing them to do so. Rather than propose to participate in the fnancial gang rape of its citizens through a national lottery, the FNM should instead propose to increase taxation on numbers houses to appropriately refect the true social and economic costs they infict upon Bahamian society. No doubt, the motivation behind the FNM’s plan to introduce a national lottery is raising additional taxes. But such a plan is among the worst options
for achieving that goal, because it will expand and further entrench our unjust tax system.
The truth is that right-thinking Bahamians overwhelmingly agree that our consumption-based tax system is unjust and favors the rich over the poor. Therefore, rather than introducing a voluntary tax in the form of a national lottery, and furthering our taxation injustice, what The Bahamas needs is tax reform and the introduction of a just system of income tax for individuals and for-proft entities, local and international. Then we will have the tax revenue needed to fund our national priorities, like national security, healthcare, and education.
However, it is a misguided view that raising and spending more tax dollars will solve the many societal problems our nation faces. Instead, what our nation desperately needs is a responsible government that will lead our people away from the greed-fueled, lazy activity of gambling to embrace and live out the noble national values espoused in the preamble to our nation’s constitution: self-discipline, industry, loyalty, unity, and an abiding respect for Christian values and the rule of law. Our national commitment to these values will guarantee the preservation of our freedom as a person. Otherwise, while we are no longer bound by the physical chains of slavery imposed on us by others, we will continue to be bound by the spiritual chains of slavery which we impose on ourselves through enslaving activities like gambling. May God have mercy on us as a nation and give us such a government.
PASTOR CEDRIC MOSS Nassau, May 5, 2026.
e older, retired, senior votes matter Pintard’s lottery plan a threat to numbers boys
EDITOR, The Tribune.
IN a country where the population of older people seems irrelevant or ancient to the majority population of persons whose ages are 25 years upwards, the recent Advanced Poll Election (30 April, 2026) shows that: older and retired persons’ voices do matter in The Bahamas with these persons showing up in large numbers to vote.
These persons once considered supporters of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) due to their previous bulk attendance at PLP rallies, caused the leadership of the FNM, one time ago to take a swipe at the PLP by remarking that “there were only geriatrics attending those rallies.” Now we see from televised recordings of the political rallies that there may have been a shift in attendance by older persons---with the FNM presently showing more ‘elders’ at their rallies---contrasting with the PLP where there is a notable mixture of ages in attendance particularly where the switch from elders/seniors to predominantly young and younger persons at the PLP rallies. With the vast turn out of elders to vote (as seen on 30 April) proves to be a very reliable voting bloc couple with the development of the digital age (and the ubiquitous presence of social media) in infuencing party choices---together with the seemingly dislike of seniors in our midst as ancient and irrelevant—it appears that both major parties must regard these Voters as matter in the Electoral process. Whilst the PLP leadership is headed by a leader who is in his early seventies---it gives no party---whether the opposition FNM or the
Coalition of Independents (COI) to display election posters refecting the leader of the PLP, wet spot on his pants---ludicrously suggesting/showing what may be perceived, because of his age, as involuntary urine leakage or what is medically known as urinary incontinence. It was gratifying to note that the FNM’s leadership denied having anything to do with the poster---their denial being acceptable as it is credible that the men and women comprising that party would not deign to such despicable and inhumane campaign tactics.
The senior vote matters--whether they are older or retired voters—their votes matter on Election Day and perhaps all parties’ campaign strategists should remember that!
ELEANOR ALBURY Nassau, May 6, 2026.
PRD must follow law
EDITOR, The Tribune.
THE Parliamentary Registration Department’s decision to require voter card numbers to access polling station locations is unnecessary and concerning. Section 35 of the Parliamentary Elections Act mandates public notice of polling places in the Gazette and newspapers. The law intends for this information to be freely accessible, not gated by personal data. Who accesses the data entered into the PRD’s online tool? What safeguards exist? Bahamians should not have to trade privacy for basic election information. PRD should immediately publish the full polling station list online, without restrictions, in keeping with the law’s intent.
A CONCERNED CITIZEN Nassau, May 1, 2026.
EDITOR, The Tribune. FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard’s National Lottery proposal is a game changer, one anonymous FNM opined on Monday. While Pintard argued that a National Lottery can coexist with the current Web Shop Gaming industry, I view it as an existential threat to the hegemony of the Numbers Boys who were requesting an additional 25-year moratorium on the issuance of licenses to others wanting to break into the lucrative sector. They don’t want anyone else in their industry. Pintard’s proposal creates an interesting dilemma for not only the Numbers Boys, but for the church as well. I would go as far as stating that the FNM is the only legitimate barrier to preventing the Numbers Boys from assuming complete control of The Bahamas on May 12. They have already assumed control of the Progressive Liberal Party based on what I’m seeing. Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian, I believe, will succeed Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis as PLP leader, quite possibly this year. Once the Numbers Boys are in control of the government, they will use their newfound powers
to further protect their hegemony. Bahamians need to appreciate what’s at stake on May 12. The soul of The Bahamas will be permanently ruined if these scenarios come to fruition. The late Dr Myles Munroe prophetically warned the country in 2013. During the period leading up to the January 28, 2013 Gaming Referendum, there were strong voices for the implementation of a National Lottery, as opposed to the current Web Shop Gaming industry. It was argued that a National Lottery, a lesser of two evils, would beneft the entire nation. Look at the Florida Lottery, in which the proceeds go into the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund; public schools, state-run colleges and universities. The Florida Lottery also makes it possible for the state to provide scholarships to thousands of American students. With a National Lottery here, much needed funds could be used to fund education and to fx a broken healthcare system. Reading portions of the FNM Manifesto in one of the dailies, I am sure the FNM will fesh out the details for the implementation of a National Lottery. Pintard strikes me as one
who is meticulous and highly organised. This isn’t a seat of the pants proposal. PLPs who oppose the Pintard proposal literally have no moral authority to do so after what transpired in 2014. Remember, the Bahamian people voted overwhelmingly for the rejection of web shop gaming. The will of the people was shrewdly circumvented via legislation in the House of Assembly. This is evidence of the “scary” infuence the Numbers Boys veil within the PLP. They are rapidly outgrowing the Bahamian government with no signs of slowing down thanks to the legislative stranglehold they have on gaming. The only checks and balances to the burgeoning powers of the Numbers Boys is the FNM. The lotto proposal has catapulted Pintard’s political stock. Moving forward, he must be taken seriously by his political detractors as a potential prime minister. He has gotten my attention for sure as he is willing to challenge the hegemony of the Numbers Boys by creating a legitimate competition to their lucrative sector.
KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama April 13, 2026.
Darville launches mobile blood bank to ease PMH shortages
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday’s introduction of a mobile blood bank marks a major milestone for the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), the Princess Margaret Hospital, and other tertiary healthcare facilities in New Providence.
He explained that the new unit allows healthcare workers to go directly into communities to collect blood donations, rather than relying solely on individuals visiting hospitals.
“This is a major milestone for the PHA, for the Princess Margaret Hospital, and all tertiary healthcare facilities here
in New Providence, with the mobile blood bank," he said yesterday during a press conference. "We now have the capability to actually go in the community and meet residents where they are and receive blood so we can bring it back to our tertiary healthcare facility, so our technical team in the blood bank can do the necessary testing and have access to blood readily available for surgical and medical procedures.”
Dr Darville said the mobile unit is expected to help address longstanding challenges with blood supply at the Princess Margaret Hospital by improving access and response times.
“I believe, with this mobile unit, we will fnd that many of the
challenges that we currently face at the Princess Margaret Hospital. We will be able to resolve them, because now, rather than patients coming to us, we have the capability to go to them.”
He added that the unit will support blood drives across various locations, including malls and public facilities, making donation more convenient for residents.
Dr Darville noted that the mobile service will also improve the response to urgent requests from patients and their families.
He said the initiative represents a multi-pronged approach to strengthening the blood supply system and ensuring hospitals have timely access to blood for those in need.
POLICE PROBE SUSPECTED VILLAGE ROAD SUICIDE
A MAN believed to be in his mid-40s was found hanging from rafters with cable wires around his neck in what police suspect was a suicide. Police were alerted to the incident by an unknown caller shortly after 4pm yesterday.
The victim was found inside the garage of a business establishment on Village Road. He was taken down and pronounced dead at the scene. Police could not say whether the victim was an employee of the establishment.
Speaking at the scene, RBPF Inspector Jerard Culmer urged members of the public to check in on loved ones who may be struggling.
“If you have any family member, anybody who you know their attitude changed, they seem to be depressed, they’re abusing drugs, prescription and over the counter medication, alcohol or even gambling addiction, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them,” he said.
“We also have..the Bahamas Crisis Centre and the number is 322-3763.”
MINISTER of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville speaks during a press conference introduces a new mobile blood blank for the Public Hospitals Authority yesterday.
Photos: Shawn Hanna
RBPF Inspector Jerard speaks to the media at the scene where a man in his mid-40s is believed to have committed suicide.
Photo: Shawn Hanna
OAS to monitor Bahamas elections
Report and recommendations to be issued soon after
WE
’RE in thelate stages of a general election campaign here in The Bahamas, and word came yesterday from the Organisation of American States (OAS) thatthe organizationhas already “deployed our Electoral ObservationMission (EOM)toThe Bahamasahead oftheelections. TheOAS/EOM teamof 21 experts and observers from 14 nations will focus its observation on electoral organization and boundaries, electoral technology, electoral justice, political-electoral financeand thepolitical participationof women.
Here's howthe teamwill operate: The OAS team will meetwith governmentofficials, electoral authorities, candidates, civilsociety leaders, amongother actorsto gather informationon the electoralprocess. Onelection day,observers willmonitor pollingstations fromthe opening of thepolls through the voting process and the tabulation and transmission of results. Following the vote, the EOM will issue a preliminary reportdetailing itsfindings and recommendationsto strengthen Bahamiandemocratic institutions.
“This Mission the fourth ofitskind inTheBahamas following similardeployments in 2012,2017, and 2021 isfunded bycontributionsfrom Brazil,Colombia, Dominican Republic, Republic ofKorea, Peruand the United States.”
Nice to see that US funding has helped sustain this worthwhile OASmis sion. It’s also interesting to look backa couple of years andsee how corresponding OAS observers assessed the Americangeneral electionsof 2024. That preliminary OAS report, dated justfour days afterthe 2024 US general election, was a masterpiece of objectivity and tactful restraint, while maintaining a truthful clarity and cogent analysis. While OASob servers visited over a dozen states and Wash ington DC in their work, theirreport notedthat Pennsylvania andWest Vir ginia had refused to permit the OAS observers to do their job, andNorth Carolinaneverresponded to an OAS request to observe.
districting to bipartisan or non-partisan commissions instead of state legislators; considering reforming the governance structure of the Federal Elections Commission to ensure majority decisions, for example adding a nonpartisan seventh commissioner; undertaking greater federal-level efforts and continuing state-level efforts at enhancing transparency and accountability in the political finance system, includingmore stringent disclosureregulations and limiting the loopholes that allow forundisclosed donations throughoutside groups; and to
likely see within two weeks an OAS observers report that should be filledwith sensible, nonpartisan observationsand recommendations thatThe Bahamas would do very well to study and endorse for future application here.
And the report dryly notes that in somejurisdictions whereaccess wasapproved, our observerswere attimes receivedin anunfriendly manner orwere unwelcomed in the performance of their duties.”
Overall, however, the OAS report is superb. It presages almost all of theissues that are presently plaguing preparationsfor theupcomingUS midterm elections,and does soin athorough,concise manner.If theorganization’s missionthat isnow withus does as well as their colleagues did two years ago in America, we would all be well advised to heed their report and recommendationsthat will doubtless beissued not longafter nextTuesday’s vote.
Morespecifically, theOAS report offered the following major recommendations after the US election: Promoting bipartisan efforts to encourage greater uniformityin voter registration requirements, procedures,and deadlinesacross states; increasing funding and staffing ofelectoral authorities atthe stateand locallevel to better accommodate the anticipateddemand forearly voting in personand by mail, and establishing deadlines for registrationto voteviamail that allow ample time for election authorities totally the vote; and encouragingjurisdictions to update their voting systemcertifications tothe lateststandards beforeeach round ofelections, inorder to increasesecurity andaccessibility requirements.
Further suggestionsincluded: Considering reforms to discourageexcessive and/or frivolous litigation; promoting reform that delegates Congressional re-
opena publicand intensedebate on the use of social media platforms in electoral campaigns.
That s a comprehensive and relevant list of potential American political reforms after2024. Wecanonly imagine howthe November electionprocess intheUS would look now if even a few ofthese reformshadactually been enacted. Nonehas been, of course, because entrenched political and other affiliated groupssee thesesuggestions as existential threatsto their comfortable andwell-cossetted way of life.
And it’snot asthoughthe OASsuggestions areallonesided. Forexample, conservativeRepublican stalwartcongressman Chip Royof Texas hasintroduced theCollaboratingwith theSystematic AlienVerification forEntitlements (SAVE)program to confirm thecitizenship status of registered votersin real time.The OASreportspecifically endorsedits passageand application, and the US House of Representatives did narrowly approveit inFebruary. TheSenate, however,cannot muster the necessary 60 votes to follow suit.
Democrats staunchly oppose theSAVE Act,fearing GOP abuse. Butthe OAS team feltthat, ifconsistently applied, itcould formthe basis ofensuring thatonly those can vote who are legally entitled to do so. That s anobjective thatall voters could support. There areother recommendationsin theOAS reportthat seem to favour the Dems, such as ensuring and sometimes broadening votingrights for women and minorities. The point is that we will
llsee soonenoughthe results ofown upcoming election. But growing dailyin theUSis thebelief that President Trump and the Republicans are heading for a substantialdefeat in sixmonths. In fact, accordingto numerous press reports, the White House is leading an effortto prepare its political appointees in public officeto deal with the coming setbacks. Speaking to reporters aboutthe November elections, one senior GOP electionofficialsaid “it’s obvious to everyone thata big defeatis verylikely.”
The White House Counsel’s Office is reportedly giving private briefings to theadministration’s political appointeeson howto best prepare for congressional oversight as staff begin to brace for the likelihood of significant Democratic victories in the November midterm elections.
The main reasons for Republican pessimism remain stubborninflation intheUS economy,gas andfoodprice rises that haveproven largely resistant to political manipulation by the current American administration,and asimultaneous sense of weariness and despair over the unprecedent-
edlymercurial, bizarreand seemingly illegal behaviour of Trump and his administration.
This is nowhere better exemplified thanin UScourts and their response to a massive increase in ligation brought both by and against the current administration, whose sweeping, mostly unilateralpolicy changeshave stimulated morethan 700lawsuits.
In fact,according toan AssociatedPress analysis, inthe second Trumpadministration s first 15 months in office, district court judges ruled it was violatinga specificcourt orderindeciding atleast31 different lawsuits overa wide range of issues, including mass government layoffs, deportations, spendingcuts and immigration practices.The AP’s review alsofound that higher courts,including the Supreme Court,overruled the
districtcourts andsidedwith the White House in nearly half of the 31 cases.
The Trump administration violations inthose 31lawsuits are in additionto more than 250instances ofnoncompliance that judges haverecently highlighted in penalizing the government for offenses ranging from failing to return seized propertyto keepingimmigrants locked up past courtordered release dates.
Legalscholars andformer federal judgestold reporters they could recall only a very few violations of such court rulingsover thefullfour-year terms of other recent presidential administrations,including Trump's firsttime inoffice. They also noted that these previous administrations were generally apologeticwhen confrontedby judges.The Trump administration's Justice Departmenthas beendefiantly combative in many cases.
Probablythe singlemost provocative legalissue facing this US administration is its initiation and conduct of the war with Iran,which began and has continued without muchprior consultationwith Congress. The 1973 War Powers Actforbids thepresident from ordering American forces into aconflict without congressional approval unless the United Statesis under attack, andgives him 60days to terminate such an operation if he doesnot secureauthorization. That 60days hasnow passed sincethe February28 start of USand Israeli attacks against Iraniandefence installationsthat launchedthecurrentwar, stillwith nocongressionalauthorization. Tryingto play catch-up,Trump senta letter toCongress lastFriday makingthe assertionthatthe war had “been terminated.” Really?
Alberta separatist group says it has enough signatures for referendum on leaving Canada
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Alberta separatists said Monday they have formallysubmitted almost302,000signatures to try to trigger a referendum on the province leaving Canada. The group needed 178,000 signatures to force the provinceto consider such a vote.
The question of separation could go on a provincewide ballot as early as October, asAlberta PremierDanielle Smith has said she would move forward ifenoughnames aregatheredandverified. Smith has said she personally does not support the oil-rich province leaving Canada.
A "yes"vote wouldnot triggerindependence automatically.Negotiations withthe federalgovernmentwould havetotakeplace andDanielBéland,a politicalscience professoratMcGill University inMontreal, saidsome Indigenous groupswho arealready using thecourts toprevent anindependence referendum would use venues including thecourtsto stopindependencefrom happening.
Mitch Sylvestre, thehead of Stay FreeAlberta, arrivedat theElections Albertaofficein EdmontononMonday leading aconvoy ofseven trucksto deliver the names.
"This day is historicin Alberta history," Sylvestre said. "It's the first step to the next step we've gotten by
islation that hamstrings Alberta's ability to produceand exportoil, whichshe said hascost theprovince billionsof dollars. Shealso said shedoesn't want thefederal governmentmeddlingin provincial issues.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's federal government did not immediately respond to the development.
Béland, the politicalscience professorat McGill,saida referendumis likely to lose.
"Rightnow, supportforindependence in Alberta is rather low. Less than 30%and muchlowerifwe onlyfocus onhardcore supporters.Andtheodds of avictory ofthe pro-independence camp appear to be lowat this stage," he said.
Round3andnow we'reintheStanley Cup final."
He said mostpapers were handled five times to verify the signatures.
Morethan 300supportersgathered, wavingthe provincialflag andchanting "Alberta strong."
However, the petition could face another hurdlethis weekas anEdmonton, Alberta, judgeis expected to ruleon a courtchallengelaunched byagroupof AlbertaFirstNations whosayAlberta separation would violate treaty rights.
Smithhas accusedpreviousfederal Liberal governments of introducing leg-
Béland also saidconsidering recent news of a large data breach involving an Alberta separatist group, the formal verification process isespecially crucial to make sure the signatures are authentic.
"Mark Carney is indeed popular, even in Alberta.The pushfor independence bysome Albertanspredates hisprime ministershipand it'srelated toeconomic,fiscal, andpoliticalgrievances abouttheseemingly unfairtreatmentof Albertabythe federalgovernment,"he said."These concernsincreasedduring the Justin Trudeau years but they have peakedandeven declinedsinceheleft office."
Photo:
Photo: The Brennan Center
Photo: Nduwa Siachaba/pexels
Supporters carry boxes of signatures to submit for a separation referendum to Elections Alberta in Edmonton, on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Photo:Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP
A free and fair general election?
BAHAMIANS were angry at the blinding confusionand insufficienthealth protocols at the Advance Poll held in 2021 during another deadly COVID-19 wave. In theevent, many votersstayed homethen, and on election day.
ThePLP basecameout, while many FNMs and independent voters remained athome,resulting inaloss forthe Dr.HubertMinnis Government. The voter turnoutwas lowbyBahamian standards.
The chaosand massincompetence atthe Advance Poll lastThursday, made 2021 seem like a paragon of efficiency. The Progressive Liberal Party rightly blasted theoutgoing FreeNational Movement for themess at the pollsin 2021.The PLP promisedto fixtheirregularities and to ensure a wellfunctioning Parliamentary Registration Department (PRD). Nearly fiveyears later andthings areegregiously worse.
The shockingdisplay of confusion andincompetence wasso badlast week, itseemed purposefulto many. The register for the Advance Poll was a royal mess.There weremultiple polling divisions in one roomat somelocations. Somevoters whowereregistered for the Advance Poll werenoton theregisterfor the Poll.
There wereinadequate provisions for seniors and people withdisabilities. Voters waited on long lines for inexcusable hours.
This wasthe worstrun AdvancePoll everheldin the country.
It does not augur well for election day,which promisesto beanotherday ofpotential chaos,rule breaking, and dysfunction. Where votersare standing on line to vote is supposed to be a sanitised area.The canvassingof voterson theselinesis strictly forbidden.This rule was repeatedlyand brazenly brokenat theAdvance Poll.
Will officersof theRoyal Police Force dotheir duty in better helping to enforce the rules next week?
Still,Bahamians, inconsiderably largernumbers
is good politics. Just as the FNM angered voters in 2021, theincumbent PLP didthevery samethisyear ,despite thelessons of 2021.
held.
He was involved in a previous electoral mishap in local government elections. This aloneshould havedisqualified himfrom be-
The chaos and mass incompetence at the Advance Poll last Thursday, made 2021 seem like a paragon of efficiency.
than in2021, appearmotivated to vote.They will likely remainon linefor as longas ittakes toexercise their right to vote and to express their views.
Years ago, a senior politician remarked that good and competent governance
The chaos of this year has its roots in the appointment ofMr. HarrisonThompson as Parliamentary Commissioner.During histenurein the publicservice, Mr. Thompsonhas provenineffectual, incompetent, and incapable of handling basic tasksin theoffices hehas
coming Parliamentary Commissioner. If ever there wasa posterperson ofwho should not have been charged withheading the PRD, it is Mr. Thompson. Hisseries ofexcusesfor hisfailures andincompetence isstaggering andincomprehensible. Most have
sured the appointment of Mr. Thompson.He could have chosen someone else orcould haveremoved him. ThePrime Ministercould have given PRDthe personnel andthe resourcesto ensure anefficient, functioning,and moretransparent process, as former PrimeMinister HubertIngrahamdid afterhiselection to office.Mr. Ingraham knew the many problems, irregularities, and fraudulent practices inthe electoral process under the PLP he defeated in 1992. He significantly cleanedup the voterregister andtheDepartment.
Decades aftermajority rule and independence it is disgracefulthat, asa democracy, weare still fighting to ensurean electoral process that operates smoothly, transparently, and withminimal rulebreaking aspossible. Further,the sums of money injected into this election are obscene.
rightly mockedhis bizarre surprise at the amount of people who cameout to voteat theAdvancePoll, despite hisoffice beingthe one to haveregistered the very people who came out. Opposition partieslong ago lost faithin Mr. Thompson to run a fair, competent, transparent, and efficient register and election day process. The confusion at PRD has scores of Bahamians deeplyconcerned about the integrity of the process. Bahamians areboth angry and questioning whetherthe massivedysfunctionat PRDispurposeful and intendedto disadvantage opposition parties infavour ofthe PLP. The riggingof theprocess and considerableirregularities is not without precedent. In the end, it is Prime MinisterPhilip Daviswho mustbe heldultimatelyresponsible for themess we findourselves in.Heen-
Bahamians arealso angry overthe numberoffraudulent documentsin thepossession ofnon-Bahamians and the proliferation of citizenship grants for certain individuals, all of which are designedto influencethe final vote. Onthe eveof yetanother election,scores ofBahamians are anxiousas to whether wecan holda fair and freeelection thathonestly reflects thewill of the people.
Wewill findoutnext week how free and how fair is the 2026 general election, andhow secureisour democracy frommyriad fraudulent practices and political corruption. Most votersat theAdvance Poll, despite their frustration and exhaustion, remained on line. This was a good sign.
Ifthere isa waveelection and80percent ofvotersor more comeout tovote, it may well bethe Bahamian people who helped to defend and toprotect our democraticfuture fromall manner ofundemocratic and diabolical threats.
AP interview: Ukraine bets on battlefield AI as the race for weapons autonomy intensifies
By DEREK GATOPOULOS and HANNA ARHIROVA Associated Press
KYIV,Ukraine (AP)
Rapid military adoption of artificialintelligence isbecoming essential to Ukraine's survival, even as full integrationacross the battlefieldmay stillbeseveral yearsaway, according to a senior AI official.
Danylo Tsvoksaid AIis already helping Ukraine hold territory,while reducing risks to its soldiers as itfaces alarger,better-resourced adversary.
"We need to be faster than the enemyin decisionmaking," he toldThe Associated Press,adding thatAI is "not only a competitive advantage. It'sabout our survival."
Tsvok, 35, leads the Defense Artificial Intelligence Center, whichwas established last month by the DefenseMinistry. Hepreviously served inthe government's top civilian AI role.
Ukraine and Russia are lockedin anintensifying race to deploy increasingly automatedsystems from aerial drones to ground and maritime platforms. At the center ofthat raceis the ability to maintain operations underheavy electronic warfare.
Many newer systems are designed toshift towardautonomous functionality, maintaining targetfocus evenunder hostilejamming.
Ukraine's rapidly expanding domestic arms sector now includes more than 2,000manufacturers and military technology firms. Developers are
testing toolsthat enablecoordinated drone swarms, aiming toboost efficiency while easingthe burdenon human operators.
"Weneed tounderstand that the future belongs to autonomous systems," Tsvok said."AI makesitpossible to automate partsof the kill chain."
In its more mature form, he said, AI could underpin a networked battlefieldin which smart weapons operate in coordination under a unified assessmentplatform.
"That couldhappen within three to five years," he said. "Withinthat time frame, front linescould be securedby tightlyintegrated hardware andsoftware systems."
In the nearer term, he pointed to wider deployment of autonomous interceptors, expanded use of groundbasedrobotic systems,and an escalation in electronic warfare capabilities. Some elements are already inplace. Unmanned ground platformsare increasingly usedin logistics, evacuation andcombat roles.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently said land drones supportedmore than 20,000 battlefieldmissions including medical evacuations, supplyruns anddirectcombat over athreemonth period this year. Amongthem,he said,wasa successful attack carried out without any human soldiers.
Tsvok insisted the objective is not fully autonomous 'killer robots,' but a more coordinated system that accelerates decision-makingand integrates moreclosely with Western partners.
Photo: Tribune file/dmaycock
BECAWU loses appeal attempt and faces $15k in court costs
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
THE Court of Appeal has refused an application by the Bahamas Educators’ Counsellors and Allied Workers Union (BECAWU) to extend the time to appeal a Supreme Court decision in an ongoing dispute over union recognition.
The matter stems from judicial review proceedings brought by the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), which is challenging a decision recognising BECAWU as a bargaining agent for certain teachers and educational professionals.
BECAWU had previously applied to dismiss the judicial review, arguing that BUT lacked the legal capacity to bring the case because it did not have a certifcate
of registration under the Industrial Relations Act. That application was dismissed by Supreme Court Justice Carla Card-Stubbs. BECAWU then sought to appeal the ruling but missed the deadline and applied to the Court of Appeal for an extension of time. In its decision, the Court of Appeal found that the proposed appeal had no realistic prospect of success and refused the application. The court rejected BECAWU’s argument that a certifcate of registration was the only proof of a union’s legal status, noting that registration could be established by other evidence.
The judges relied on unchallenged afdavit evidence showing that BUT was registered as a trade union as far back as January 6, 1959, and had been
recognised by the government since 1965.
The court also considered the Industrial Relations Act, which provides that unions registered under earlier laws are deemed to remain registered under the current legislation, even if certain procedural requirements were not later fulflled.
Based on this, the court found that BUT continues to be a validly registered trade union and is entitled to bring the judicial review. As a result, the court concluded that BECAWU’s attempt to appeal would fail and there was no justifcation for granting an extension of time.
BECAWU was ordered to pay $10,000 in costs to BUT, as well as $5,000 to the Attorney General and the relevant government ministers.
Man found guilty of conspiring to import rearms and ammo
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was unanimously found guilty yesterday of conspiring to import nine firearms and more than 500 rounds of ammunition into The Bahamas in 2024, but was narrowly found not guilty of importing the same weapons.
A nine-person jury unanimously convicted Ahmad Bain, 33, yesterday of conspiracy to import firearms and conspiracy to import ammunition before Justice Loren Klein.
However, jurors found Bain not guilty of nine counts of importation of firearms and four counts of importation of ammunition by a 5-4 verdict. Prosecutors described the jury’s decision on those charges as “non-verdicts”, also known as hung verdicts. They said they would have to decide whether to seek a retrial on those charges.
For the charges on which Bain was convicted, prosecutors asked the court to order a
probation report to assist with sentencing. Bain and others conspired to import firearms and ammunition in May 2024.
Prosecutors alleged Bain and others imported nine firearms into the Lynden Pindling International Airport Freight Terminal on May 14, 2024. The weapons included a black Austrian Glock 17 9mm pistol, a black Austrian Glock 19 9mm pistol, a black DB9 9mm pistol, a black Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, a brown and black FN 5.7 pistol, a black Austrian Glock 26 9mm pistol, a grey and gold Canon 9mm pistol, a black Taurus Judge 410 pistol, and a silver and black Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. On the same day, Bain allegedly imported 100 .40 rounds, 184 9mm rounds, 20 5.7 rounds and five 410 rounds. The boxes were shipped through Quantum Shipping.
Prosecutors alleged the weapons were concealed in shipping boxes and that some of the ammunition was found under fan
blades.
Bain denied importing the guns in his police interview and claimed that he had never seen them before in his life.
While prosecutors acknowledged that Bain never possessed the weapons, they argued that he was always the intended recipient.
They said Bain and others used fake names to import the guns and relied on Bain’s relationship with a Quantum Shipping employee to carry out the alleged scheme.
The defence argued that the evidence against Bain was weak and challenged the chain of custody.
Bain maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
A visibly dejected Bain was allowed a moment with relatives in court before he was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
He returns for sentencing on August 19.
Jacqueline Burrows and Danielle Capron prosecuted the case. Devard Francis represented Bain.
Judge rejects BCP election injunction
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A JUDGE dismissed an application for an injunction to halt the May 12 general election after Bahamas Constitutional Party leader S Ali McIntosh raising concerns about the integrity of the voters’ register.
Justice Leif Farquharson denied Ms McIntosh’s application to stop next week’s general election yesterday afternoon.
In a press interview afterward, Ms McIntosh said she would wait to see Justice Farquharson’s reasons for denying the application after he releases his written ruling.
Although she believed her case was strong, Ms McIntosh said she sought
the injunction out of concern for the integrity of the voters’ register. Over the last several months, numerous cases involving foreign nationals accused of fraudulently possessing voter cards went before the Magistrate’s Court. Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson has repeatedly defended the integrity of the voters’ register in comments to the media. Ms McIntosh said she and her party will read the reasons for the court’s decision before deciding their next steps. She also indicated that, after the election, she would petition the incoming government on the matter, although her party has not nominated any candidates this election cycle.
“We are going to continue to call for a commission of inquiry, a royal commission of inquiry,” she said. “So this will go further. We already have appointments to speak with the national observers, both CARICOM and OAS.”
“We are very much involved in this election, protesting and not nominating because we believe the defectiveness of the register and the gross corruption of it is why we took the steps we took.”
She also referred to issues at police headquarters and the Parliamentary Registration Department in recent days concerning ballot boxes, calling the situation “chaos”. She said ofcials need to “press the reset button” and that the case will continue.
US res on Iranian oil tanker as Trump pressures Tehran for deal to end war
By JOSHUA BOAK, BEN FINLEY and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press
THE US military fired on an Iranian oil tanker
Wednesday as President Donald Trump sought to pressure Tehran into reaching a deal to end the war. The Islamic Republic said it was reviewing the latest American proposals.
A fighter jet shot out the rudder of the tanker in the Gulf of Oman as it tried to breach the American blockade of Iran’s ports, US Central Command said in a social media post.
The attack occurred as Iran and the US are officially in a ceasefire. Trump threatened Tehran with a new wave of bombing if a deal is not reached that includes opening the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Trump posted on social media that the two-month war could soon end and that oil and natural gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could restart. But he said that depends on Iran accepting a reported agreement that the president did not detail.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump wrote.
Meanwhile, Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs for the first time since a ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group was announced April 17. Fighting has continued since then in southern Lebanon.
The last strikes in Beirut were on April 8, when a series of massive Israeli attacks killed more than 350 people. More than 2,500 have died in Lebanon since fighting began March 2, two days after Israel and the US launched the war on Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Wednesday’s strike, which came without warning, targeted a commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force. Hezbollah
did not immediately comment.
Trump insisted Wednesday that Iranian officials want to end the war.
“We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much, and we’ll see whether or not they can make a deal that’s satisfactory to us,” the president said.
He suggested, both at the White House and on social media, that the US could ultimately force a settlement.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump said on social media, “and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”
The White House believes it is near an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum to end the war, according to reporting by Axios. There is no deal yet, but provisions include a moratorium on Iranian uranium enrichment, lifting of US sanctions, distribution of frozen Iranian funds and opening the strait for ships.
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the possible agreement.
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, told state TV that Tehran had “strongly rejected” US proposals reported by Axios, but that it was still examining the latest proposed agreement.
A shaky ceasefire between the US and Tehran has largely held since it began April 8. Pakistan hosted in-person talks last month between the two countries, but they failed to reach an agreement.
Trump sought to increase pressure on Tehran the day after he suspended a short-lived US effort to force open a safe passage for commercial ships through the strait. The waterway was a vital passage for oil and gas supplies, fertilizer and other petroleum products before the war.
Only two American-flagged merchant ships are known to have passed through the US-guarded route after it opened Monday. The US military said it sank six Iranian small boats threatening civilian ships.
Iran’s effective closure of the strait has sent fuel prices skyrocketing, rattled the global economy and put enormous economic pressure on countries, including major powers such as China.
China’s foreign minister called for a comprehensive ceasefire Wednesday after meeting in Beijing with Iran’s top envoy. Wang Yi said his country was “deeply distressed” by the conflict, which began Feb. 28 when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran.
China’s close economic and political ties to Tehran give it a unique position of influence. The Trump administration is pressing China to use that relationship to urge the Islamic Republic to open the strait.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to China came ahead of a planned trip by Trump to Beijing.
Trump is scheduled to attend a high-profile summit on May 14 and 15 with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump was the last US president to visit China in 2017.
“We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, that a resumption of hostilities is not acceptable,” Wang said in a video of the meeting.
The Chinese foreign minister said the conflict “has not only caused serious losses to the Iranian people, but also had a severe impact on regional and global peace.”
Araghchi told Iranian state TV that his visit included discussions of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions imposed on Tehran.
Trump has demanded a major rollback of Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.
Teens remanded after alleged armed carjacking at beach
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
TWO teenage men accused of stealing a woman’s car at gunpoint while she was near Yamacraw Beach with her young godchild last week were remanded yesterday. Prosecutors allege Samuel Ariste, 19, and a 17-year-old defendant, whose name is being withheld because he is a minor, robbed Coralee Ferguson of her blue Suzuki Swift on Yamacraw Hill Road and Prince
Man
Charles Drive at 7.30pm on April 30.
Ms Ferguson and her nine-year-old godchild had just returned to the vehicle after swimming when the suspects arrived on a white motorcycle and accosted them. Later that day, the accused were allegedly found with Ms Ferguson’s vehicle key fob.
The accused were not required to enter pleas to armed robbery and receiving charges when they appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans.
accused
They were told the matters would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment. The defendants were also informed of their right to apply for bail in the higher court. Ariste was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, while the juvenile was remanded to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys. The accused will return for service of their VBIs on September 17. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case.
of Eleuthera bar gun threat gets bail
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN accused of threatening to kill another man with a gun at an Eleuthera bar earlier this week was granted bail yesterday.
Prosecutors allege Covance Brown, 39, threatened to kill Alex Young during a verbal altercation at Lanto’s
Bar on Queen’s Highway, Eleuthera, on May 3.
During the same incident, Brown allegedly put bar patrons in fear with a black handgun.
Brown pleaded not guilty to threats of death and possession of a firearm with intent to put another in fear before Assistant Chief Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux. His bail was set at
$5,000 with one or two sureties. Under the terms of his bail, he must sign in at the Rock Sound Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday by 6pm. He will also be fitted with a monitoring device. Brown’s trial begins in Rock Sound on July 21. Inspector K Wilkinson prosecuted the case, while Levan Johnson represented the accused.
Woman allegedly assaulted by father of her child
POLICE are investigating after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted while meeting her child’s father at an abandoned building near East Bay Street.
According to reports, the woman told ofcers they had arranged to meet across from a business establishment on Tuesday at his request, after he said he wanted to see their daughter.
When she arrived around 2pm, the man reportedly said he wanted to rekindle their relationship, but she declined.
She later decided to leave after 4pm, but told police she was prevented from doing so when the man allegedly pushed her into a stairwell of an abandoned building and raped her.
The child was nearby in a stroller, police said.
The suspect fed the scene, and the victim sought help at a nearby church before ofcers arrived.
Police said she sustained minor injuries and will undergo a medical evaluation. Investigations are continuing.
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CNN founder Ted Turner, a brash and outspoken television pioneer, has died at age 87
By DAVID BAUDER and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press
TED Turner could never be defned by just one role. He was a media mogul, philanthropist and conservationist. A yachtsman who won boating’s most famous race and a baseball owner who captured the World Series trophy.
The brash television pioneer who died Wednesday made his greatest mark on the news business when he launched CNN nearly a half-century ago and with it, the 24-hour cable news cycle — a revolutionary moment that transformed the industry.
His media empire grew to include CNN International, the Cartoon Network, TNT and Turner Classic Movies. Then he used his riches to become one of America’s most extensive landowners, dedicating his fnal years to preserving natural habitats, saving endangered species and reducing nuclear weapons.
Turner died at age 87 while surrounded by his family, according to Turner Enterprises, which oversees his vast businesses and investments. A cause was not released. He was diagnosed in 2018 with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disorder.
A Southerner whose outspoken wit earned him the nicknames “Captain Outrageous” and “The Mouth of the South” during his youthful years, Turner was a celebrity in his own right when he married actor Jane Fonda in 1991, just before being named Time magazine’s Man of the Year.
“If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect,” he once bragged. Slowed late in life by his illness and long out of the television business, he concentrated on philanthropy — donating a stunning $1 billion to United Nations charities — and his more than 2 million acres (800,000 hectares) of property, including the nation’s largest bison herd.
His garrulous personality sometimes overshadowed a driven, risk-taking business acumen. By the time he sold his Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner Inc. in a 1996 media megadeal, Turner had turned his late father’s billboard company into a global conglomerate that included seven major cable networks, three professional sports teams and a pair of hit movie studios.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday called him “one of the Greats of All Time.”
The creation of CNN Turner’s signature achievement was creating CNN, the frst 24-hour, allnews television network in 1980. It was born of frustration — he often worked late after network newscasts had gone of the air, and was in bed by the time his local stations did their own news.
He took a chance by launching what some called the “chicken noodle network” in the early days of cable television, living in an apartment above its Atlanta ofce.
“I was going to have to hit hard and move incredibly fast and that’s what we did — move so fast
that the (broadcast) networks wouldn’t have the time to respond, because they should have done this, not me,” Turner recalled in a 2016 interview with The American Academy of Achievement. “But they didn’t have the imagination.”
CNN’s breakthrough came during the Gulf War with Iraq in 1991. Most television journalists fed Baghdad. CNN stayed, capturing images of the war’s outbreak, with anti-aircraft tracers streaking across the sky and correspondents finching from the concussion of bombs.
“His frst love was family and he had fve children. But very close behind, he’s always told me that his greatest achievement was
SuperStation. “It was the start of something bigger than we ever imagined,” Turner said.
TBS’ collection of old movies and “The Andy Grifth Show” reruns was augmented by Turner’s acquisition of baseball’s Atlanta Braves, which slowly attracted fans across the nation and declared themselves “America’s team.”
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Turner transformed how fans experience sports.
In the 1980s, Turner went deeply into debt to buy MGM, another move greeted with skepticism.
CNN. But he had so many over the years,” Tom Johnson, CNN’s president from 1990 to 2001, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Turner was promised a role in CNN after his company’s sale to Time Warner for $7.3 billion in stock but was gradually pushed out, much to his regret.
“I made a mistake,” he later said. “The mistake I made was losing control of the company.”
That same year — 1996 — saw the birth of Fox News Channel and arrival of a new dominant mogul in cable news, Rupert Murdoch. Turner once compared Murdoch to Adolf Hitler. The bitter rivals later reconciled over environmental concerns.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav on Wednesday called Turner a visionary and a trailblazer.
“Ted’s entrepreneurial spirit, creative ambition and willingness to take risks changed the media industry forever,” Zaslav said in a note to employees at Warner, CNN’s parent company, which is nearing a mega merger with Paramount.
Building TBS SuperStation
Robert Edward Turner III was born Nov. 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. When he was 9, his family moved to Savannah, Georgia. After being expelled from Brown University for sneaking a female student into his room, Turner came to Atlanta to work for his father’s billboard company.
His ambitions at that point were broad, he later recalled: “I used to tell people I wanted to become the world’s greatest sailor, businessman and lover all at the same time.”
After his father’s 1963 suicide, Turner took over the company. In 1970, he bought an independent UHF station with a signal so weak it didn’t even cover Atlanta.
On Dec. 17, 1976, he began transmitting the station to cable systems across the country via satellite. It became the TBS
But the acquisition gave his company a huge library of vintage movies that eventually launched the TNT and Turner Classic Movies networks. His devotion to older movies earned Turner a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004. He was also criticized for adding colour to classic movies like “Casablanca,” which he said he did to appeal to a younger audience.
TBS also acquired the Hanna-Barbera animation library, which led to the Cartoon Network.
“He sees the obvious before most people do,” Bob Wright, former president and CEO of NBC, told The New Yorker in 2001. “We all look at the same picture, but Ted sees what you don’t see. And after he sees it, it becomes obvious to everybody.”
Asked to share the secret to his success, Turner said: “Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise.”
Acquiring sports teams and land
Married three times, the moustachioed Turner wooed beautiful women with a roguish charm. He was married to Fonda from 1991 to 2001. She quit acting while married to Turner, but tired of his philandering and divorced him, although they remained friends.
“He was sexy. He was brilliant. He had 2 million acres by the time I left. It would have been easy to stay,” Fonda once said. He struck up friendships with world leaders, bonding with Cuban leader Fidel Castro over hunting and arguments about politics.
Turner’s sports empire included professional baseball, basketball and hockey teams in Atlanta, but he was best remembered at the helm of the Braves, turning the perennial doormats into world series champions in 1995. Their former stadium, built for the 1996 Olympics, was named Ted Turner Field.
He acquired millions of acres in ranches complete with roaming bufalo. He spoke often of reviving the West’s bison herds, and in 2002 started a restaurant chain serving bison burgers, Ted’s Montana Grill. Forbes estimated his net
worth at $2.8 billion at the time of his death. He had enough time, and money, to devote his energy to such lofty goals as promoting world peace and protecting the environment.
“See, my life is more an adventure than a quest to make money. Adventure is going out and doing something for the pure hell of it,” Turner once said. “You just want to see if you can do it, period. There’s no thought of gain other than your own satisfaction.”
‘The Mouth of the South’ Through the years, Turner’s antics occasionally overshadowed his business activities.
Fresh from skippering his boat “Courageous” to the 1977 America’s Cup title, a very inebriated Turner was captured by TV cameras stretched out on the foor at the victory celebration.
Turner managed to insult many with his shoot-fromthe-lip style. An atheist since his only sister died of lupus at age 17, he called Christians “losers” and “Jesus freaks,” later apologizing.
He once suggested in a speech that unemployed Black people be used to haul mobile missiles with ropes “like the Egyptians building the pyramids.” He said he was joking after civil rights leaders demanded an apology. And he once told an audience in Berlin that “you Germans had a bad century.”
“You were on the wrong side of two wars. You were the losers. I know what that’s like. When I bought the Atlanta Braves, we couldn’t win, either. You guys can turn it around. You can start making the right choices. If the Atlanta Braves could do it, then Germany can do it,” Turner said, according to The New Yorker.
Dedication to humanitarian causes
Turner’s 1997 pledge to give $100 million a year for 10 years to United Nations charities made him a leader in American philanthropy. He made good on his promise even as his fortune shrank after the AOL Time Warner merger, calling it the best hope for peace.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called Turner “a visionary whose conviction, generosity and audacious spirit left a lasting imprint on the United Nations and our world.”
Turner promoted a range of humanitarian causes. He joined former US Sen. Sam Nunn to start the nonproft Nuclear Threat Initiative.
“If I had to predict, the way things are going, I’d say the chances are about 50-50 that humanity will be extinct in 50 years,” Turner said in 2003. “Weapons of mass destruction, disease, I mean this global warming is scaring the living daylights out of me.”
ATLANTA Braves owner Ted Turner watches his team in action against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first National League Championship game, Oct. 6, 1982, St. Louis. Photo: Rusty Kennedy/AP
‘VJ’
jburrows@ tribunemedia.net
Eastern Conference Semifnals Game 2
and 76ers in 2-0 hole
VALDEZ "VJ" Edge-
combe continued to show why Philadelphia trusts him in major playof moments, delivering a strong two-way performance last night despite the 76ers falling 108-102 to the New York Knicks in game two of the Eastern Conference semifnals at Madison Square Garden.
The rookie guard fnished with 17 points, fve rebounds, three assists and a steal in 40 minutes while again taking on the difcult defensive assignment of guarding Knicks star Jalen Brunson for much of the night.
Philadelphia pushed New York into a much more competitive game after the game one blowout, but the Knicks closed strong in the fourth quarter to take a 2-0 series lead heading back to Philadelphia.
The series moves to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday.
Wednesday’s game featured 14 ties and 25 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than seven points all night.
After Brunson erupted in the opener, Philadelphia adjusted defensively by having Edgecombe pressure him much earlier in possessions. The Bahamian rookie routinely picked Brunson up near the backcourt and disrupted New York’s ofensive rhythm before the Knicks could fully settle into their halfcourt sets.
The approach changed the pace of the game.
On several possessions, Edgecombe defended Brunson the full length of the foor after made baskets, while Philadelphia occasionally trapped aggressively to force the ball out of Brunson’s hands. What stood out most was the discipline and efort from the 20-year-old rookie.
Edgecombe consistently fought through screens,
Rookie guard Edgecombe scores 17 for Philadelphia but New York takes control of the series with 108-102 win
Ayton has double double but Thunder get win in West semis opener
recovered quickly in space and stayed attached to Brunson without reaching
Even when Brunsoncombe repeatedly battled back into the play and made him work for nearly
Brunson still led New York with 26 points and sixing 9-of-21 from the feld and 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
OG Anunoby added 24 points, four steals and fve rebounds while Karl-Anthony Towns fnished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Mikal Bridges also chipped in 18 points for the Knicks.
Edgecombe’s impact extended well beyond defence with Tyrese Maxey constantly facing pressure near the top of the foor.
Edgecombe became one of Philadelphia’s steadiest secondary playmakers and scorers throughout the night.
The rookie shot 6-of13 from the feld and knocked down 3-of-7 from three-point range while continuing to show growth ofensively in difcult playof situations.
He attacked gaps in the defence with confdence, hit perimeter shots from both corners and created several difcult baskets late in possessions when Philadelphia’s ofence stalled.
Edgecombe also showed increasing comfort operating in the mid-range, using hesitations and changes of direction to create space against rotating defenders.
Several of Philadelphia’s best ofensive stretches
came directly from his decision-making and ability to remain composed under pressure.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 26 points and six assists in 47 minutes despite shooting just 1-of-6 from three-point range and committing six turnovers.
Paul George added 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks while Kelly Oubre Jr also scored 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting.
Andre Drummond started in place of Joel Embiid who was ruled as out hours before the game
and contributed six points and eight rebounds.
Philadelphia shot 45 per cent from the feld and made 13 three-pointers, but turnovers proved costly.
The Sixers committed 18 turnovers that led to 23 Knicks points, while New York fnished with a 56-30 advantage in points in the paint.
The Knicks also made the decisive push late.
After the teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 90, Philadelphia managed just 12 points in the fnal period while New York closed the game on a 19-12
quarter behind Brunson’s shot creation and timely baskets from Anunoby and Bridges.
Even in the loss, Edgecombe continued to look comfortable in one of the league’s toughest playof environments.
For the Sixers to climb back into the series as it shifts to Philadelphia for game three, Edgecombe will likely need to continue playing this type of highlevel basketball on both ends of the foor. Through two games, he has shown he is more than ready for that responsibility.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Chet Holmgren had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder routed the Los Angeles Lakers 108-90 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifnal series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each added 18 points for the Thunder. The defending champions improved to 5-0 in the playofs, despite missing 2025 All-Star Jalen Williams with an injured left hamstring for the third straight game. The Thunder shot 49.4% from the feld and made 13 of 30 3-pointers.
Oklahoma City will host Game 2 tonight.
Los Angeles struggled to fnd ofence without scoring champion Luka Doncic, who has missed the past month with an injured left hamstring. LeBron James scored 27 points and Rui Hachimura added 18 for the Lakers.
Deandre Ayton contributed a double double - 10 points and 12 reboundswith two assists and a block in 27 minutes. Austin Reaves, who averaged 23.3 points in the regular season, was held to eight on 3-for-16 shooting.
Oklahoma City won all four regular-season matchups by an average of 29.3 points, and this one was only slightly closer. The Thunder held the Lakers to 41.7% shooting and forced 17 turnovers.
Oklahoma City led 61-53 at halftime, despite 16 points from James. Mitchell, who started in Williams' place, made a corner 3-pointer and was fouled by Marcus Smart in the fnal minute of the third quarter. His free throw put the Thunder up 84-72, a score that held up until the end of the period.
Alex Caruso's fast-break dunk early in the fourth put Oklahoma City up 88-73, and the Thunder maintained control from there.
Windsor senior girls complete undefeated season with championship win over Kingsway
THE Windsor School completed an undefeated senior girls’ volleyball season with a championship win over Kingsway Academy on Monday at the Aquinas College volleyball courts. Head coach Eugene Stuart said the team stayed focused throughout the season and carried that into the championship match.
“Well frst and foremost, thank God for this opportunity,” Stuart said. “The senior girls, they won the pennant for the season. We went undefeated. You know, it was a very intense season for the girls. They managed to win every game, like I said.” Stuart said the players stayed committed from the opening game of the season through the playofs.
“For me, I think they left it all on the court,” he said.
“They were very focused from the frst point of the season and up until the last point of the playofs game, which is now against NCS. They really left it all on the foor and I’m very proud of them.”
Windsor entered the playofs looking to fnish matches quickly and avoid long stretches where opponents could regain momentum.
Stuart said that remained one of the team’s goals during the championship.
“For us, it’s more so about really sealing the deal,” he said. “I know the girls, they would have implemented a new strategy in terms of urgency. And so for them, really fne-tuning those details and really making sure that you can really run with it.”
Although Windsor controlled most of the championship match, Stuart admitted there were moments where the team lost focus.
“I would say that we had some lulls throughout
the game,” he said. “There were a few moments where the girls kind of went and fell short a few points but, nonetheless, we still dominated throughout the entirety of the match.”
Stuart also praised Kingsway Academy for making Windsor work throughout the contest.
“I have to say Kingsway is a very scrappy team,” he said. “They were not allowing us to score points. So we
had to really fght for those points.”
Despite that pressure, Windsor stayed committed to its approach and continued to execute its game plan.
“We implemented rather our strategy and we were able to keep the strategy,” Stuart said. “And that is what maintained our dominance today.”
The veteran coach said the players deserved most
of the credit for the championship run because of the work they put in throughout the year.
“And I have to say hats of to the girls,” Stuart said. “They put in all the work. I pretty much just guided them from the sidelines. From day one, they were brought into the programme, and I can’t be more proud of them.”
Windsor’s focus on urgency and execution became even more important during the playofs as the competition intensifed.
“They won, but it was a slow win,” Stuart said. “And so for us to utilise our energies and utilise our strengths, it’s very hard out here.
“And so I told them to win quickly. And so that’s our goal was to win quickly and go home victorious.”
Windsor player Priya Alexander said Kingsway Academy made the championship difcult despite the fnal result.
“It was a really good game,” Alexander said.
“Kingsway put up a really, really good fght and made us work for it. But it was just, we came out on top. It’s been four years in the making and we played a really, really good game.” Alexander said the victory was especially meaningful for the senior players competing together for the fnal time.
“We came so close last year, making it to playofs, and it was really nice to close it out,” she said. “We played a good game and it was just a good way to end it.”
After completing the undefeated season with a championship win, Alexander said the team planned to celebrate accordingly.
“Oh, we’re going to party hard,” she said. With the championship secured and an undefeated season completed, Stuart said the programme will address the future later on.
“We’ll see when that moment comes,” he said.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Sherman ‘The Caribbean Tank’ Williams honoured
ALTHOUGH he’s now retired, the accolades continue to pour in for Grand Bahamian professional heavyweight boxer Sherman “The Caribbean Tank” Williams.
The 53-year-old native of Naples, Florida, who retired in 2018 with a 40-15 win-loss record, was one of several persons honoured with the Excellence Awards presented by Orlando Health.
In a report featured on WPTA, a NBC afliate of West Palm Beach, Florida network, Williams talked about his transformation from knocking out opponents in the ring, to saving lifes in the medical feld. It comes just before Williams will be inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame over the weekend of June 5-7 at the Hilton Lake Carillon in St Petersburg, Florida, for his stellar 39-year career as an amateur and pro fghter.
The event is being organised by promoter/trainer
Steve Canton of the SJC Boxing Club in Fort Myers, who previously inducted his fghter Freeman “The Natural” Barr as the frst Bahamian into the Hall of Fame.
After starting of as a private contractor as a security and prevention protection ofcer, Williams was engaged in teaching staf at Orlando Health about how to be aware of their surroundings at all times and he was able to add some of his skills developed in the ring in self defence.
"With the Hall of Fame and Induction ceremony coming up next month, I am delighted to receive this award," said Williams, who was certifed as an International Association of Medical and Security seven years ago.
"I've been working in executive protection at golf courses for PGA events and attending a number of exclusive events for medical directors and CEOs.”
The last two years, Williams has been working with Orlando Health where he has impacted his boxing
Arsenal reaches its frst Champions League fnal in 20 years as Saka’s goal seals victory over Atletico
LONDON (AP) — The last time Arsenal played in the Champions League fnal, Bukayo Saka was still four years away from joining the club’s academy.
Now Saka, the winger who frst signed for Arsenal at age 8, has put his club back onto the biggest stage.
Saka scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday to put Arsenal into its frst Champions League fnal since 2006 — and only its second ever. No wonder he was reluctant to stop celebrating with the crowd and his teammates after the fnal whistle and do a TV interview on the feld instead.
“You’re taking me away from the celebrations,
man," Saka told Amazon Prime with a laugh. “It is so beautiful. You see what it means to us and what it means to the fans. We're so happy.”
The 24-year-old Saka was on hand to slot in the rebound after Leandro Trossard’s shot was saved by Jan Oblak in the 45th minute to put Arsenal up 2-1 on aggregate in the second leg of their semifnal.
The Gunners’ stingy defence did the rest. Arsenal has now kept a clean sheet at home in all three knockout rounds after conceding a competition-low four goals in winning all eight of its matches in the league phase.
It will be Arsenal's second fnal in Europe’s premier competition,
experience through training persons in the health care unit here.
Williams said he's pleased to share his expertise in the
ring. "It's good to see that Orlando Health is going to be a part of my induction into the Florida Hall of Fame," Williams said.
having lost the 2006 title match to Barcelona.
It could prove a special season for the London cub, which is now one game away from its frst European Cup title and three games away from a frst Premier League crown in 22 years.
The Gunners are guaranteed the domestic league title if they win their remaining three matches, after closest rival Manchester City was held to a 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday.
“Now we are in the fnal of the Champions League and we’re fghting for the Premier League,” Saka said. “It’s a beautiful a story and I hope it ends well in Budapest.”
Fellow academy product Myles Lewis-Skelly hadn't been born yet when Arsenal
was last in the fnal, but the 19-year-old again looked assured in midfeld after being handed a surprise start by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Atletico had a chance to equalise in the 51st when Giuliano Simeone chased down a poor backward header from William Saliba to round goalkeeper David Raya, but centre back Gabriel did just enough to make him put his efort wide. “Unbelievable,” Arteta said about Gabriel's challenge. “That's probably the only action that (Atletico) had. But in the Champions League there are moments, and in those moments someone has to deliver a magic moment.
And Gabriel again, he delivered that.” Atletico was then denied a possible penalty when
"I'm just excited and happy to see that here in the state of Florida, the United States, Europe and in Denmark, they are
still recognising me for my accomplishments as a fghter."
Williams walked away from the sport as a fghter after he won his last fght on May 26, 2018 with a TKO over Epifanio Mendoza at the A Social Afair and Convention Center in his hometown of Grand Bahama.
The highlight of his career came on January 22, 2011 when he fought former American world champion Evander Holyfeld for the World Boxing Federation's heavyweight title. However, that fght was stopped due to a cut over Holyfeld's left eye in the second round.
During his career, Williams held the North American Boxing Federation, United States Boxing Association, WBA's FEDECARIBE, WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation and the NBA and WBF Intercollegiate heavyweight titles.
While less than 10 of his fghts were staged here in The Bahamas, Williams was never given the opportunity to fght for The Bahamas’ heavyweight title.
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafori stepped on the foot of Antoine Griezmann in the area, as referee Daniel Siebert awarded a free kick to the hosts for an earlier incident instead.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone, clad in his customary all-black attire, grew increasingly agitated on the sidelines as the decisions went against his club and the search for an equaliser proved fruitless. He was eventually booked in injury time after pushing Andrea Berta — his former sporting director at Atletico who is now in the same role at Arsenal.
Afterward, though, Simeone refused to blame the referee and said Arsenal deserved to advance. “I’m not going to get into something as simple as the action involving Griezmann,"
Simeone said through a translator — although perhaps with a hint of sarcasm.
"Of course we all know that it was a foul by (Atletico defender) Marc Pubill on one of their players beforehand.
“We all thought the referee had got it right. I don’t want to get involved in that because I don’t want to make excuses.”
Simeone led his team to the Champions League fnal in 2014 and 2016, losing both times to Real Madrid, but will have to wait for a third chance to deliver the club’s frst European Cup. Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres had a great chance to double the lead on a counterattack in the 66th when Piero Hincapie picked him out with a cross but he side footed his efort over the bar.
‘Jazz’ hits go-ahead homer as Yankees beat Rangers 7-4 for 15th win in 17 games
NEW YORK (AP) —
Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr hit a go-ahead homer of Jacob deGrom in the sixth inning, and the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 7-4 on Tuesday night for their ffth straight win and 15th in 17 games.
Chisholm Jr lifted deGrom's 98 mph fastball into the right feld seats to snap a 3-3 tie. The 413foot shot was the second baseman’s second career homer of deGrom (2-2), who allowed a homer to
Chisholm at Citi Field on a 100.4 mph fastball on April 10, 2021.
Ryan McMahon hit a tying two-run homer of deGrom in the second inning after the Yankees trailed 3-0 before their frst at-bats. McMahon joined teammate Giancarlo Stanton, Freddie Freeman and Austin Riley as the only players with at least three homers of deGrom.
Cody Bellinger started New York’s comeback with an RBI double of the top of the right-centre feld fence after Aaron Judge singled.
Bellinger also had a tworun double of Jalen Beeks one pitch after Judge drew his fourth intentional walk this year. Paul Goldschmidt added his 374th career homer in the eighth for a four-run lead. DeGrom allowed six runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. It was the most runs allowed by the two-time Cy Young award winner since May 17, 2019, for the Mets at Miami. Texas opened the game by loading the bases on two walks and a single by Josh Jung of rookie Elmer
Rodríguez. Joc Pederson hit a sacrifce fy, Ezequiel Duran hit an RBI single and Jung scored on a wild pitch. In his second career start, Rodríguez allowed three runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked four.
Brent Headrick (2-0) earned the win by striking out pinch hitter Sam Haggerty with the bases loaded in the ffth.
David Bednar retired Josh Jung with the bases loaded in the eighth and got the fnal fve outs for his 10th save.
