woman & heaLth
WHO W ILL PAY UP FOR MENTAL HEALTH DAYS?
Proposals over time off provoke dispute at Labour meeting
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
A PUSH to introduce
five paid mental health days annually for Bahamian workers ignited sharp debate among labour and business leaders yesterday, exposing fault lines over who should foot the bill and how abuse could be prevented. While most stakeholders
supported the concept of mental health leave, disagreement emerged over whether it should be added to existing sick leave entitlements, stand as a separate statutory right or be verified by a mental health professional. Employers warned of cost burdens and potential abuse, while unionists pushed back against intrusive verification
Labour chief: Norma N’s c ay cL aims the ‘worst i’ve heard’
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
LABOUR Director
Mr Thompson described the situation as the most severe he has encountered during his tenure.
“The allegations present themselves to the point where I’m almost able to say that this is the worst of the worst that I’ve heard
Howard Thompson has launched a comprehensive investigation into the Norman’s Cay development in Exuma, citing a series of grave allegations, including human trafficking, labour law violations, and substandard living conditions.
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
SEVERAL former Cabinet ministers from the Minnis administration are plotting a political
comeback, while others are stepping back from frontline politics. Political veterans Renward Wells, Elsworth Johnson, and Frankie Campbell confirmed yesterday that they are
seeking nominations as Free National Movement (FNM) candidates.
However, Peter Turnquest, Desmond Bannister, Jeff Lloyd, and
‘Real job?’ Davis’ comments on Pintard poetry spark backlash
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis faced backlash after questioning whether Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard had ever held a “real job” — comments some Bahamians interpreted as
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN testified yesterday that her businessman husband shoved her and made a disturbing remark about terminating her pregnancy during a March incident on Paradise Island. Erin Surujlal gave evidence as the trial against her husband, 40-year-old Kevin Surujlal, began before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley on a charge of causing harm. Before proceedings commenced, the couple sat at
a slight against creatives and the country’s Orange Economy. He hit back by contrasting his own record of investing in the creative sector with what he described as Mr Pintard’s lackluster tenure as the minister overseeing it, m a N ‘shoved wife a Nd ta L ked eNdiNg her pregN a Ncy’
PAGE SEVEN
FORMER Prime Ministers Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie sit with Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and National Security Minister Wayne Munroe at the funeral of Rodney Moncur yesterday. See PAGE TWO for more.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
TRIBU T ES PAID T O T HE
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks during the memorial service for former senator Rodney Moncur yesterday at St Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
Wells, Johnson and Campbell plotting return to FNM
Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe all signalled they would not return to the electoral battlefield.
Mr Wells and Mr Johnson aim to reclaim the Bamboo Town and Yamacraw seats they lost in the 2021 general election.
Mr Campbell is considering a run but in a new constituency, not his previous Southern Shores seat.
“I have the full support of the FNM Association in Bamboo Town, unanimous support to be the FNM candidate in Bamboo Town, and we are going to win Bamboo Town,” Mr Wells said.
The former Minister of Health supported former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in his unsuccessful leadership run against Michael Pintard, but he does not believe that will prevent him from getting the Bamboo Town nomination.
“At the end of the day, I am to be judged by my history, and the work I would have done as MP, and a Cabinet minister in three major ministries
of the government, and while holding down the post of being the leader of government business, running the entire Parliament,” he said.
He said previously supporting Dr Minnis does not conflict with unity in the FNM.
“The reality is that when a convention is called, any member can support any person for leadership inside the organisation,” he said.
“But once that convention is over, whoever emerges as the leader, all of the members of that party are duty bound to support that person and move forward in a holistic way, and try win the next general election.”
He described his relationship with Mr Pintard and chairman Dr Duane Sands as respectful and direct.
“We all served in a Cabinet together,” he said. “All of us have a cordial relationship. I consider both Mike and Duane a friend, and we can talk to each other very bluntly.”
Mr Campbell said he is ready to serve wherever the party needs him.
He said he completed all candidate training and preparation.
Mr Johnson believes the Yamacraw association
‘Real job?’ Davis’ comments on Pintard poetry spark backlash
accusing him of doing little of substance.
“When I spoke last night, I said give credit where credit is due. Pintard has done well with his poetry and acting,” Mr Davis wrote in a Facebook post defending his comments yesterday — a shift in tone from the previous night when he mockingly referred to the opposition leader as “a parrot, not a poet”.
During a speech at a Progressive Liberal Party Men’s Branch meeting on Sunday, Mr Davis questioned Mr Pintard’s qualifications and track record.
“Michael Pintard is not a serious leader,” he said.
“He is a seat warmer who answers to the same old forces that failed this country time and time again.
“What real job has he ever had? What has he ever built? What has he ever managed, outside of press conferences and political complaints?”
Yesterday, Mr Pintard defended his identity as a creator, casting himself as a relatable and empathetic leader.
“I am not your usual politician. I am not the lawyer that you have been used to. I am not the doctor you have been used to. I am trained as an agriculturalist. I studied anti-money laundering and compliance. I
am a creator,” he said.
“When I see junkanooers, I say, that is me. When I see a player on the stage, I say, yeah, that is me. When I see a piece of art on the wall, I say, that is me. But the truth of the matter is, I am no less qualified than any of you that have ever ascended to this position.”
“The fundamental difference between me and those that lead now is that I feel the pain. I do not drive through a corner without wondering, how can we help?”
Mr Davis, however, accused Mr Pintard of neglecting the arts sector during his time as Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture in the Minnis administration.
“He barely met with the Dundas,” he said. “Even worse, ‘Pintard The Creative’ and his government, closed the National Dance School. Then he spent years criticising our new performing arts school, CAPAS.”
“We are also establishing CAPAS, the Creative & Performing Arts School of The Bahamas –– the same school Pintard now calls his idea. My office is working closely with the US Embassy to ensure Bahamian creators are fairly compensated for their work on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.”
Mr Davis ended his
supports him.
Mr Lloyd, the former South Beach MP, said he is out of politics for good.
“Not in this lifetime,” he said. “I have bowed out completely.”
He called for the next generation to step up.
statement with a challenge:
“Leadership requires more than performance. We are not just acknowledging the arts; we are building a future for them. Mr Pintard, show us your track record. What have you ever actually done?”
“I am not interested in politics,” he said. “The people of South Beach were very clear in their last statement politically, and they wanted someone else, and I respect and honour that. I applaud them for that decision.”
He said he remains a card-carrying FNM member.
RENWARD WELLS ELSWORTH JOHNSON K PETER TURNQUEST JEFF LLOYD
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and deputy chairman Obie Roberts at a PLP Men’s Branch meeting Sunday night.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Labour chief: Norman’s Cay claims the ‘worst I’ve heard’
of in terms of complaints to Department of Labor since I’ve been the director,” he said. “So this has my priority. This is number one priority for me, and the Department of Labor, Immigration won’t rest until we get all of these issues.”
Mr Thompson said complaints have accumulated for over a year, with a notable increase in the past three to four months. Workers have reported delayed payments, mould infestations, environmental law breaches, and inadequate housing conditions.
There are also allegations of undocumented people being transported to and from the island without proper documentation. A senior staff member is accused of discriminatory practices, including the unlawful termination of Bahamian employees and preferential hiring of foreign workers. Further claims suggest the implementation of policies that violate human rights and prioritise personal interests over employee welfare.
Mr Thompson confirmed that other agencies, including the Royal Bahamas Police Force, are involved in the investigation. An unannounced visit to Norman’s Cay was conducted last Friday, during which officials met with workers. Mr Thompson indicated
from page one that these visits will continue in the coming weeks. “When we see eight Bahamian HR heads
resigning or being terminated, that’s a huge signal that there’s not just smoke, but there’s fire,” he said.
and
Water and Sewerage assistant GM testified on potential conflicts of interest in vendor audit
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
THE criminal trial of Long Island MP Adrian Gibson and others resumed in court yesterday, with defence attorneys grilling a previous witness about an audit she conducted on vendors under the Minnis administration. Dian Saunders-Adderley, assistant general manager at the Water and Sewerage Corporation, returned to the witness stand and faced questions from attorney Damian Gomez, KC, and Raphael Moxey about the audit’s
contents as proceedings continued following a twomonth break.
Mrs Saunders-Adderley had previously testified
that her audit of vendor contracts revealed potential conflicts of interest concerning contracts awarded by WSC.
She cited one example involving former general manager Elwood Donaldson, who, she said, collected a cheque for $2,300 on behalf of Adams Landscaping for ground maintenance work.
She said Mr Donaldson’s signature appeared on WSC’s document controls and other records required for the company’s payment.
When asked what she relied on to support her findings yesterday, Ms
ARRIVING in both Mayaguana and Exuma yesterday, for site inspections of the new airport facilities under construction were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (MOTIA) Chester Cooper; Basil McIntosh, Minister of State for Aviation; Dr Kenneth Romer, deputy director general of MOTIA & director of aviation, and delegation.
Photos: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS
Saunders-Adderley said she used various internal documents and records. She also acknowledged relying on estimates from RL Pools and Gunite Pools, among other sources.
Under cross-examination by Mr Gomez, Ms Adderley confirmed that the audit was submitted to the then chairman of the audit committee.
While she did not recall the exact submission date, she said it was documented and sent via email.
Mr Gomez pointed out that the audit was dated April 13 and questioned why there appeared to be a
two-month delay before it was sent to Mr Hanna.
The attorney asked if she had authored the audit, and she confirmed that she had. He then inquired whether there was a distinction between the audit note and the vendor’s audit she had completed.
She responded that the audit note summarised the findings, while the vendor’s audit was the full, comprehensive report. She is due to return to court for continued cross-examination.
Mr Gibson has been on trial since November 2023 alongside Elwood Donaldson Jr, former WSC general
manager Joan Knowles, Peaches Farquharson, and Jerome Missick.
The charges stem from contracts awarded by the corporation while he served as WSC executive chairman.
Mr Gomez, Mr Moxey, Geoffrey Farquharson, Murrio Ducille KC, Ian Cargill, Bryan Bastian, Ryan Eve and Raphael Moxey represent the defendants. Meanwhile, the Crown’s lawyers include Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier, Cashena Thompson, Karine MacVean and Rashied Edgecombe.
The Department of Labour plans to compile all interviews
findings into a report for the
Minister of Labour, who will then coordinate with relevant agencies. The Norman’s Cay project currently employs over 200 workers across the hotel and construction sectors.
A MARINA located at Norman’s Cay.
DIAN SAUNDERS-ADDERLEY
Who will pay up for mental health days?
requirements for those suffering stress or burnout.
Robert Farquharson, who oversees the Ministry of Labour’s special project unit, said discussions centred on who would bear the cost of proposed mental health leave, whether National Insurance or employers should fund it. He also raised concerns about potential misuse, questioning how authorities could prevent employees from exploiting the benefit for leisure travel, such as trips to Miami.
The clash took place during a high-stakes reform summit convened by the Ministry of Labour to review amendments to the Employment Act and Industrial Relations Act.
Stakeholders included representatives from the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, trade union congresses, Cable Bahamas, ZNS, and the National Insurance Board.
Among the other hotbutton proposals was a call for two weeks of fully paid paternity leave every three years, another measure that sparked debate over costs and implementation.
The government is attempting to push through long-delayed labour law reforms before the year’s end. Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle framed the meeting as historic. “We will make it to the finish line,” she said, adding that
the new laws will reflect a “shared vision” forged through public and private sector input.
Some union leaders questioned the idea that mental health leave would require certification. Baha-
mas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson questioned why people under extreme stress should be forced to prove it with paperwork.
“There has to be balance,” Mr Farquharson acknowledged. “Right now, workers get seven paid sick days. If we’re adding five mental health days, is that additional or within the same bucket?”
Participants also tackled related reforms, including flexi-time arrangements, the legality of remote work, and unpaid lunch breaks, all tangled in broader questions of modernising Bahamian work culture without destabilising employers.
Final written submissions are due soon, and a series of town halls will follow.
Legal drafters have been instructed to ensure that the new provisions avoid contradiction with existing laws and harmonise with related legislation.
“Workers will benefit from an expanded definition of workplace injuries and illness that includes mental health,” said Mrs Glover-Rolle. “Amendments will respect the whole person — their needs, their families, and their right to recover.”
Office of the Attorney General denies hazardous working conditions claim
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Office of the Attorney General has denied claims that staff are working in unsafe or hazardous conditions at the Central Registry on Shirley Street. The statement came in response to concerns raised by Bahamas Public Service Union president Kimsley Ferguson, who said staff at the Registrar General’s Department have been working in substandard conditions for several months.
During a site visit yesterday, he claimed the building was under demnolition and that employees were still being required to work there.
However, the Office of the Attorney General pushed back against those assertions, claiming that the human resources section of the department was notified that demolition work had taken place at the site over the weekend. As a result,
the building was assessed and deemed temporarily unsuitable for regular operations.
Officials said immediate steps were taken to relocate six employees to an alternate location at the Bahamas Financial Centre and a designated space on the third floor of the building was identified, cleared, and prepared for use.
According to the office, one staff member has already moved into the new workspace, and the remaining employees have been advised to transition as well.
“The ministry denies any claims that staff were
required to work in unsafe conditions. At no time were employees expected to perform their duties in an environment deemed temporarily unsuitable for regular operations,” the statement read. It also dismissed claims of mould at the registry.
“A thorough professional cleaning and sanitisation of the premises including air conditioning units was conducted in January 2025 to ensure a healthy workspace. There have been no recorded instances of employees reporting illness related to mould exposure.”
Officials acknowledged
that while files remain at the Central Registry, the department is working to transfer them to the Bahamas Financial Centre as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the office added that employees may need to access the registry periodically to retrieve documents.
Controlled access will be provided through the back entrance of the facility, away from the demolition zone, to ensure staff safety.
“The office of the judiciary, which will take occupancy of the space, has assured that all debris will be removed as a matter of priority.”
MINISTER of Labour and Social Services Pia Glover-Rolle speaks during a Department of Labour legislation reform summit. Photos: Nikia Charlton
BPSU PRESIDENT KIMSLEY FERGUSON
The Tribune Limited
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
Published daily Monday to Friday
Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207
TELEPHONES
News & General Information
Welcome to responsible development
EDITOR, The Tribune.
(242) 502-2350
Advertising Manager (242) 502-2394
Circulation Department (242) 502-2386
Nassau fax (242) 328-2398
Freeport, Grand Bahama (242)-352-6608
Freeport fax (242) 352-9348
Creative jobs and unforced errors
TENNIS fans will long have heard of the unforced error – the kind of mistake that is down to your own failure rather than the skill of your opponent. The scuffed shot, the misjudgement on the bounce of the ball, the failed smash into an open court. Unforced errors exist in politics too. You may know of a few of them. George HW Bush checking his watch in the middle of a debate while an audience member asked a question. Mitt Romney’s leaked video where he talked about 47 percent of people being dependent on government. Pick a country anywhere around the globe and you will find leaders who opened their mouths only to insert their foot.
We have had plenty here too. In recent weeks, Adrian White put his foot in it when he claimed that “sensible people vote FNM” during a talk show. Well, what about Englerston, which has never returned a candidate for the FNM? It was an open target for people to rain down criticism on Mr White’s head.
The constituency’s MP – PLP of course – is Glenys Hanna-Martin, who did not miss the opportunity to praise the sense of voters in the area. And rightly so. It was a foolish comment and deserved to be met with the political backlash it received.
And now Prime Minister Philip Davis has committed his own unforced error.
Mr Davis questioned whether FNM leader Michael Pintard had ever had a “real job”.
Well, what is a real job? Mr Davis had been talking about Mr Pintard as a poet, which suggests he does not think such a
creative enterprise might be a real job. Cue the inevitable response from those in the creative industries that well, yes, such endeavours can be real too.
After all, we remember far more of the words of Shakespeare than the politicians of his day. How many of us know the lyrics of our own songwriters off by heart when we would struggle to recall the words of MPs and senators of those creative artists’ generation?
Mr Davis tried to cover up the slip, saying that he was saying give credit where it was due and that Mr Pintard had done well with his poetry and acting – but the words the night before were that he was “a parrot, not a poet”. There was no flattery intended there.
The irony of course is that Mr Davis could happily have talked up his administration’s work in the creative sector, including the creative arts school being lined up to open later this year. He certainly tried to do that in the wake of his error – but frankly, when you’ve dug yourself a hole, sometimes it is best to stop digging.
One thing for sure – any time there are words about trying to make politics less confrontational, you can be sure to brush those off as just words. Already, this election season is seeing the knives sharpened and no sign yet of a starting bell.
And you can bet there will be plenty more gaffes and unforced errors between now and the time comes to mark our x for our votes as our heads turn from side to side to follow the arguments between each party. Almost like watching tennis.
Enforce our animal cruelty laws
EDITOR, The Tribune.
ANIMAL cruelty in The Bahamas has reached crisis levels. Our streets are littered with suffering potcakes and stray cats—abandoned, abused, hit by cars, or left to die in the sweltering heat.
The Bahamas Humane Society, operating in woefully outdated and overcrowded facilities, struggles daily beyond capacity. How can we claim to be a compassionate society when we tolerate such systemic neglect of our most vulnerable creatures?
The government’s failure to act is
unconscionable. Antiquated animal welfare laws remain unenforced, while the Humane Society battles impossible conditions—lacking space, resources, and support to properly care for the endless stream of injured and abandoned animals. Even when citizens step forward to adopt, bureaucratic indifference and needless euthanasia of healthy animals persist. This cycle of suffering must end. We must recognizse that animal welfare reflects our national character. The Humane Society desperately needs modern facilities and proper
funding—their current struggles mirror our collective moral failure. As Mahatma Gandhi warned, “A nation that treats its animals with cruelty will eventually face social disorder and collapse.”
The time for empty promises is over. We need immediate action: stronger laws with real penalties, proper enforcement, and urgent upgrades to animal care infrastructure. Our leaders must act now—before more lives are lost and our nation’s conscience is further stained.
LATESHA CLARKE May 19, 2025.
THIS is a response to the paid ad in The Tribune , masquerading as a genuine letter of concern from a neutral citizen. It misrepresents both my intentions and track record regarding the Yntegra project. Let me be clear: I am not anti-development. I have always supported responsible development that creates opportunities for Bahamians while preserving the natural environment that sustains our way of life and underpins our tourism economy. With respect to the Disney Lighthouse Point project, I was part of an advocacy group that proposed an alternative vision: a world-class national park and two small, high-end eco-lodges that would have generated comparable employment while ensuring long-term protection of one of the Bahamas’ most iconic landscapes. Disney presented their case, and we presented ours. The government ultimately chose Disney, and to their credit, they implemented meaningful environmental protections. That is what a healthy democratic process looks like—competing visions, respectful debate, and ultimately, a decision.
I now serve as a private consultant, representing both large and small
developers. My role is not to oppose development, but to help shape it in ways that reduce harm to our environment and strengthen community outcomes. Whether my client is planning a small eco-resort or a large-scale project, I consistently advocate for scaling back designs to minimise ecological disruption. When those impacts cannot be sufficiently reduced, my focus shifts to identifying meaningful environmental mitigation strategies—such as supporting local communities, funding environmental advocacy efforts, investing in nearby protected areas, or preserving cultural and historical sites. Yes, to make an omelette we must break some eggs—but making that omelette should never destroy the entire kitchen, garden, and pantry in the process. What I oppose are developments that are out of scale, poorly planned, or destructive to the very ecosystems that make our islands so special. That includes certain aspects of the Yntegra project as currently envisioned— particularly its impact on the pristine North Bay
area and the Turtlegrass resort, which has built its reputation on offering a unique, high-quality, nature-based experience. My client does not oppose Yntegra’s presence outright. Rather, we advocate for a version of their development that coexists with the existing tourism model, not one that overwhelms or replaces it. Others, such as Save the Exuma Association (SEA), have rightly raised serious concerns about the scale and density of the Yntegra plan and its potential to alter the character of the Exumas irreversibly. These are legitimate voices rooted in care for the country, not foreign interests or fearmongering. Bahamians deserve development, yes—but not at any cost. We must demand development that respects our environment, honors the communities already invested in these places, and secures long-term, high-value employment. The natural beauty of The Bahamas is what draws people here in the first place. If we destroy that, we destroy the foundation of our economy and our future. Let us welcome investment, but only the kind that builds up our people without tearing down the paradise we all call home.
ERIC CAREY May 19, 2025.
Lucayan sale not a magic solution
I WRITE to express my thoughts on the recent discussions surrounding the Heads of Agreement for the sale of Our Lucaya Property and its broader implications for the Grand Bahama economy. While this agreement opens a promising channel for genuine dialogue, it is by no means a magic solution to the long-standing economic challenges our island faces. Grand Bahama needs a bold, integrated vision, not one imposed from the outside, but a strategy that we, as Bahamians, must create for ourselves. Our island’s prosperity cannot rely on external models dictating our future. Instead, we must craft a self-determined vision for our islands and our country, with Grand Bahama positioned as the strategic nucleus and Freeport as its vibrant heart.
Decades ago, our island hospitality and tourism sector boasted approximately 5,000 hotel rooms. However, in today’s competitive global travel landscape, to ensure viable airlift operations and regional prominence, we must ambitiously target the development of around 15,000 rooms. This is not a dream achieved through wishful thinking; it demands decisive, proactive action
guided by a comprehensive destination vision that goes beyond traditional hospitality and tourism paradigms. I see a future where ‘education, healthcare, and digital innovation’ converge with ‘hospitality and tourism’ to create an integrated ecosystem. Such a model would not only elevate hospitality and tourism but also stimulate the development of thousands of housing units, professional offices, and commercial spaces, thereby empowering Bahamians with unprecedented opportunities for ownership and wealth generation. To achieve this, we must harness innovative FinTech and PropTech solutions to develop a diversified portfolio of boutique hotel models and other key assets, ensuring that the benefits of growth are widely shared across our communities. Additionally, my vision calls for a critical reexamination of immigration policies and the adoption of a fully digitised national identification platform, necessary steps to attract and manage the skilled professionals who will drive this transformation. Coupling this with a robust skills development program within our multidestination strategy will create the foundation for
a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economy. Ultimately, what Grand Bahama urgently needs is visionary leadership capable of articulating and steering a one-year, fiveyear, and even a forty-year development blueprint, one that is revisited and refined annually. Those entrusted with this task must develop an ecosystem framework that integrates stakeholder mapping, sector synergy, smart technology, robust infrastructure, and a compelling destination brand, all underpinned by sustainable monetisation models. I firmly believe that if we set aside reliance on external forces, we can build a future defined by our aspirations, a future that answers the question: Are we as Bahamians ready to create our own destiny?
Thank you for providing me with an outlet for my thoughts. It is my hope that fellow Bahamians, especially those who sit in the generational identification of Millennials (GenY), GenZ (where I sit), and the newly minting GenAlpha, will heed this call to action and join in building a future that reflects our shared dreams and ambitions.
EDEN MERRY JOHNSON Freeport, Grand Bahama May 14, 2025.
EDITOR, The Tribune.
Man ‘shoved wife and talked about ending her pregnancy’
opposite ends of the courtroom. Mrs Surujlal was visibly pregnant.
She told the court that on the evening of March 20, she was packing for a business trip to West Palm Beach for a boat show when Mr Surujlal confronted her at their home on Paradise Island Drive. She said he questioned how she could afford the trip and who would be accompanying her. Mrs Surujlal explained that she had saved for the journey and would be travelling with colleagues.
As the argument escalated and turned towards the state of their marriage, Mrs Surujlal claimed Mr Surujlal said: “Since we are just going to end this [marriage], we might as well end the baby.”
She alleged that he pushed her onto the bed, confiscated her phones, and shoved her into a doorframe as she attempted to leave. Mrs Surujlal further claimed that he repeatedly pushed her into walls and doors, blocked her path in the hallway, and that she eventually shouted for help out of a window so neighbours could alert the authorities.
She escaped and filed a complaint at the Paradise Island Police Station.
In court, she identified Mr Surujlal, who was wearing a blue suit.
During cross-examination, defence attorney Ian Cargill suggested the argument arose from Mr Surujlal’s concern for the baby’s safety during air travel. Mrs Surujlal acknowledged the pregnancy was high-risk due to her age but said her doctor had confirmed it was safe to fly.
She denied being moody due to her pregnancy and
insisted she did not attack her husband, saying she only pushed him away in self-defence. Mr Cargill accused her of lying, claiming it was the first time she had mentioned pushing Mr Surujlal.
While Magistrate Reckley noted this was not in her initial report, he said it could be inferred from her statement that she had resisted.
Mr Cargill alleged that Mrs Surujlal struck her husband on the face and stomach, suggesting she was the aggressor and that Mr Surujlal had threatened to call the police. He claimed Mr Surujlal asked her to leave the house and that she became irate and violent. Mrs Surujlal denied this version of events and maintained that Mr Surujlal was the aggressor.
She also denied that Mr Surujlal had asked for a divorce weeks earlier, stating that they had only discussed a separation. Mrs Surujlal said she had left him two days prior to the incident to stay with her parents but returned after Mr Surujlal attempted reconciliation.
Mr Cargill challenged her on a previous statement, claiming she said, “After he asked me for the divorce, I then moved out.” Mrs Surujlal denied ever saying that. She admitted that after the incident, they went to the cinema together and that Mr Surujlal had signed a lease for an apartment for her and the baby. Mr Cargill said she had been cordial with Mr Surujlal and even allowed him to touch her stomach in court. Prosecutor Inspector Deon Barr questioned the relevance of these details.
When Mr Cargill accused her of lying, Mrs Surujlal denied the claim, saying she did not know how
her husband sustained his injuries.
Constable 4617 Cash testified that on March 20 he was at the Paradise Island Police Station when a complaint was made against Mr Surujlal. He said that upon visiting the residence, Mr Surujlal admitted to the incident, saying that they had an argument and had shoved each other.
Although the defendant had visible bruises, Constable Cash said he did not request medical attention and was initially aggressive before cooperating. The officer observed signs of a struggle in the home but did not take photographs and could not confirm if any other officers had done so. He was unaware of any counter-complaint from Mr Surujlal.
Inspector Von Smith testified that at 8.11pm on March 20, he was informed of the incident and went to the couple’s residence. He saw minor lacerations on Mr Surujlal’s left arm and palm, which were photographed. In the following days, he obtained an incident report from Princess Margaret Hospital listing Mrs Surujlal’s injuries as serious.
Inspector Smith said that during a confrontation between the couple, the complainant maintained her version of events, and Mr Surujlal apologised. He also confirmed receiving a hospital form in the defendant’s name on March 23.
Contrary to Constable Cash’s account, Inspector Smith said he did not see the officer enter the residence. He explained he took over the investigation after Constable Cash could not complete it and confirmed that Mr Surujlal also filed a complaint.
The trial is set to continue on July 23.
MAN ACCUSED OF RAPING BRI T ISH WO M AN IN PARKED CAR IN HOSPI TAL PARKING LO T
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 23-YEAR-OLD man was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of raping a 29-year-old British woman in a vehicle at the Princess Margaret Hospital parking lot earlier this month.
Willnick Eugene appeared before Chief Magistrate
Roberto Reckley on a rape charge. He allegedly raped the woman in a parked car outside the hospital on May 6.
Eugene was not required to enter a plea during his arraignment. He was informed that the matter would be forwarded to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).
Caribbean Bottling Company and UB team up for art competition
By M I GUEL FERNANDER
A COLLABORA-
TION between Caribbean Bottling company and University of The Bahamas is giving student artists a chance to shine, while honouring and celebrating Bahamian musical legends. Budding artists at the University of The Bahamas (UB) are being challenged to express the spirit of local musicians.
The competition closes on June 2, and will be judged by a panel of representatives from Caribbean Bottling Company, UB, Baha Mar, local artists and musicians. Judges will review each art piece and declare four winners. In addition to the four winners, 20 pieces will be chosen to be featured in an exhibit sponsored by CocaCola, held in Baha Mar. Kishan Munroe, chair of
UB’s School of Communication & Creative Arts praised the initiative for its $10,000 donation and exposure.
The Coca-Cola Art project follows in the footsteps of the “Love My Bahamas” public art series 15 years ago, which brought murals like ‘Down Home Gals’ and ‘Rake ‘n Scrape’ to the streets of Nassau.
To learn more, visit: www. cbcbahamas.com.
He was also advised of his right to apply for bail through the higher court. Eugene will remain in custody at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his VBI is expected to be served on August 14.
Inspector Deon Barr served as the prosecutor, while Ryszard Humes represented the accused.
TEEN CHARGED WI T H RAPE OF 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy
He was also informed of his right to apply for bail through the higher court.
The teenager will be held at the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys until the expected service of his VBI on August 7.
Sergeant 3004 Forbes appeared as the prosecutor.
was remanded to Simpson Penn yesterday after allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl earlier this year. The minor, whose identity is being withheld due to his age, was charged with rape before Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr. His legal guardian was present during the arraignment. The incident allegedly occurred in New Providence on February 15. The defendant was not required to enter a plea and was informed that the case would proceed to the Supreme Court via a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).
MAN ON BAIL FOR T HREAT ENING OFFICERS WI T H A FIREAR M ACCUSED OF MULT IPLE BAIL VIOLAT IONS
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he was accused of breaching bail while awaiting trial for allegedly threatening three police officers with a gun in 2022.
Jeffrey Toussaint, 22, was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville on three counts of violating bail conditions. He was previously granted Supreme Court bail on three counts of
possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Toussaint and two accomplices are accused of threatening the lives of Corporal Pedrio Hield, PC 4187 Anton Forbes, and WPC 4200 Bradnique Adderley with a handgun on July 24, 2022, in New Providence. While on release for those charges, Toussaint allegedly failed to sign in at the Wulff Road Police Station for 65 days between January 1 and May 12. He is also accused of failing to sign in at the East
Street South Police Station for 29 days between January 17 and May 12 in relation to separate firearm and ammunition charges.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the bail violation charges. Inspector Cordero Farrington, the prosecutor, objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the offences.
Toussaint was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his next court appearance on June 23 for a bail hearing.
Politics aside, put Bahamians first
I REMEMBER being an air traffic controller at the West End International Airport in West End, owned by The Jack Tar Hotel, in 1971, and a control room operator at Bahamas Cement.
Eventually, I opened my restaurant in Williams Town called Travellers Rest.
I was in the thick of it, so I knew firsthand what Freeport was. I lived it; I can never forget it because anyone who wanted to succeed could easily do it. That was the “magic city”. Freeport was a melting pot that was always simmering with something. Xanadu, the King’s Inn that became Princess with Princess Towers and Casino and Lucaya Casino, and many hotels and restaurants.
I vividly remember the nightlife, Jim White’s Sand Piper, Joker’s Wild, the Connection Room, Home of the World-Famous T-Connections, and the International Bazaar, which was truly international.
The enthusiasm and consistent celebration of a flourishing Grand Bahama meant people had two or three jobs. Bahamians flocked from other islands to take up residence in Grand Bahama. Grand Bahamians were happy, with a great quaility of life!
Borco, Syntex, and Bahamas Cement employed hundreds who made good money; the island was buzzing. There was so much to be thankful for that the people often bragged that Freeport was the first city, and could always be heard saying they would never return to Nassau. They even expressed the organisation of how the island was laid out and the ease of travelling. The superiority complex became so strong that Grand Bahamians still despise living or visiting Nassau.
After the many disasters and the destruction of the inner city, people were reduced to menial standards, living in dilapidated buildings. Some areas looked like a bomb had exploded, which was disheartening. Tears fill my eyes when I visit the places I frequented in those days. The previous government did not make Freeport
FACING REALITY
a priority. But the people of Grand Bahama, with their unwavering resilience, kept hope alive. Despite the challenges, their belief in a brighter
future is not just inspiring, it’s a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow.
Grand Bahamians are proud people who do not look for handouts; they would prefer to have an opportunity to help themselves. Remember, their deterrent is never wanting to return to Nassau.
So, year after year, administration after administration indicated that relief was in sight. Too many times, their spirits dashed because some technicality prevented their ship from coming in. Yet they persevered.
The Port Authority’s resistance, muddying of the waters, and the proposed increase in taxes did not bring hope but increased anxiety—the advancement of inhumane policies designed to frustrate already dejected people. The future looked bleak.
But perseverance must be an asset because the temptation of a deal done and off again on too many occasions only causes the heart to skip a beat. The temptation of something meaningful happening raised the temperature.
So the government had many bites at the apple, and the ducks did not line up, which caused a considerable amount of time to elapse. There was much potential, but the determining factor was “money in the bank”
The announcement and signing of the much-anticipated Our Lucaya by Prime Minister Philip Davis sent shockwaves through the Bahamas. Almost everyone was close to tears because the good people of Grand Bahama deserve this project. Grand Bahamians deserve an injection of enthusiasm and anticipation of something positive for too long.
Regardless of political affiliation, every Bahamian should stand in solidarity with Grand Bahama in celebrating this excellent venture. The Grand Lucaya project is not a political event, but a milestone for all Bahamians. It represents our shared aspirations for a better future, uniting us as a nation.
Grand Lucaya will benefit all of Grand Bahama; it
The resilient Grand Bahamians were patient enough and must be grateful to Almighty God for smiling on them; their prayers have been answered. The government knows the story and continues to work assiduously to ensure they have an investment that will be the anchor, just like Baha Mar and Atlantis are in Nassau. Grand Bahama was designed for big things. The people know they have been allowed to show the strength of their indomitable spirit. They should still be dancing in the streets, and everyone should polish their attitude to embrace this opportunity. This is no time for mediocrity; this opportunity only comes once in a lifetime.
will not discriminate. However, its impact will not be limited to this island. This project has the potential to significantly boost the Bahamian economy, creating jobs, attracting tourists, and stimulating growth. Let’s embrace this potential and look forward to a brighter, more prosperous future. There comes a time when we must be Bahamians first. No political colour, religion, or organisation should dilute that we are one people. When Grand Bahama succeeds, all of the Bahamas succeed. Let’s unite and celebrate this shared success, setting aside our political differences for the greater good. Our unity is our strength. If we face reality, we are supposed to be our brother’s keepers, despite our differences. Let’s remember this as we move forward. Let’s unite and support the development of Grand Bahama. When Grand Bahama succeeds, all of the Bahamas succeed.
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and Deputy Prme Minister Chester Cooper along with govt officials and representatives of Concord Wilsher at the heads of agreement signing for the sale of the Grand Lucayam Resort and golf course in Grand Bahama on Thursday.
Photo: Vandyke Hepburn
THE GRAND Lucyan Resort pictured above. Below, Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks during the signing ceremony.
Photos: Eric Rose/BIS
Unconventional one-man diplomacy
FOR those who write regularly about foreign affairs and attempt to analyse complex international issues last week was out of the ordinary. A series of significant events took place around the world that offered a plethora of choice about what to cover. Developments came so fast that it was hard to keep up. It was also a good week for photojournalists.
Unsurprisingly, the frantic pace of what amounted to a diplomatic whirlwind was set by none other than the unpredictable President Trump who, in his first hundred days in office, has surely created some sort of record for his level of activity in domestic affairs and in relation to issues around the world like Ukraine and Gaza.
The Peter Young column
The week was dominated by Trump’s 4-day tour to three energy-rich nations in the Middle East – Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, specifically Abu Dhabi – when he signed a number of lucrative trade and investment deals. Significantly, he did not go to Israel, presumably because of differences with prime minister Netanyahu over Gaza and the nuclear talks with Iran. Surrounded by all the pomp and pageantry these Gulf states could muster,
Trump was feted by these staggeringly wealthy countries who lavished adulation on him. But, apart from the trade and investment deals he signed, critics are questioning whether all this was rather more show than substance?
One British journalist described him as bestriding the world stage as he switched from topic to topic during his stay in the Middle East. For example, he lifted sanctions on Syria and met the nation’s new leader who had hitherto been categorized as a terrorist; secured the release of a US citizen held by Hamas; ended military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen; slashed US tariffs on China; ordered Ukraine to hold talks with Russia in Istanbul; continued quiet negotiations with Iran over a nuclear deal to the extent that talk of joint US/Israel military action has dissipated; and even claimed, without justification, responsibility
IN last week’s column I wrote about the effects on other parts of the world of the change of direction of US foreign policy under new president Donald Trump. There is more to say and I should like to return to the topic today. It is clear that the US no longer sees Russia as a threat to itself. But European nations do regard Putin as a serious threat to them – very much so – and the closer they are geographically to the former Soviet Union the greater is their concern. Furthermore, they emphatically do not share Trump’s benign assessment of Putin’s longer term intentions, not least because Putin continues with his imperial delusion that war in Ukraine and in the Second World War should be conflated.
Rather than Russia then, the US views China as its most important strategic threat. So its foreign policy seems now to be concentrated on Asia. For years, the US was the anchor for the West’s rules-based order and its security. But with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 the world changed from the Cold War to a unipolar one in which a single nation state holds a dominant and unrivalled level of power and influence. The US was that powerful
nation. But, as it withdraws from this position in a new multipolar world that has been developing – and in which the balance of power is redistributed – people have been shaken out of their comfort zone. The result is that countries are rethinking their position in the world and their relationships as they realise that they can no longer count on the US. Nonetheless, some prominent voices at home have strongly criticized Trump for his indifference – even unawareness – in alienating allies after America had spent 80 years building up trust, strong economic partnerships and military and political alliances. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State under President Biden, has described it vividly as an “act of vandalism”.
It follows that Europe needs to wean itself away from the strong transatlantic bonds and security support forged after the Second World War. People on both sides of the Atlantic are saying that Trump has been single-handedly responsible for weakening those bonds of common values, shared visions of democracy, security and the rule of law. One fear Europe has is that the US may stay as a member of NATO, but in name only so that there
will be a gradual move away from an Americanled organization to a more European one and with Europe in the lead. Thus, in the face of a threat to peace they may be left alone to defend themselves for the first time since WW2. It is no surprise, therefore, that boosting defence spending is now a big topic in Europe. What happens next is probably up to Europe. There is an opportunity for some inspired statesmanship as plans for a European so-called reassurance force in Ukraine are under way as part of contingency preparation for another Russian attack either there or elsewhere in Europe. There is also the Weimar Triangle group created to promote collaboration among the major European countries, including the UK, in crossborder and wider European issues. The group recently announced a commitment to increase support for Ukraine.
It has quickly become evident that the security of the European continent is a common responsibility for its own nation-states and that they are now working together to strengthen their collective defence capabilities. However, people remain baffled at the US’s overall major change of direction.
for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in relation to Kashmir.
But, in doing all this and no doubt dealing at the same time with a host of other issues, does it all amount to making decisions and conducting foreign policy on the hoof in accordance with Trump’s declared aim of being recognised as a peacemaker – and, as some observers have suggested unkindly, is it not much more than “bromance diplomacy”, with Trump stressing his simplistic approach that “profit brings peace”?
A recent example of Trump developing policy as he goes along was his announcement, almost en passant, to journalists on board Air Force One that the essential next step to achieving peace in Ukraine was for him and Russian leader Putin to meet or talk directly – and, lo and behold, the next thing we are told is that Trump planned to telephone him yesterday, and also speak to Zelensky after that, though at the time of writing there is no readout yet on either of these conversations.
In Saudi Arabia, President Trump delivered a major speech emphasising the importance of trade in a modern interconnected world, saying that in the Middle East there should surely be “commerce not chaos” and that it should be a region that “exports technology not terrorism”. However, he is, of course, already known as a protectionist president who always puts America first. As he has said repeatedly, “my job is to protect America”. Yes, indeed. But securing world peace should also be a priority. Observers quickly spotted that there was no mention in his speech
of collective action the US has taken with other countries about issues on a multilateral basis, and no mention of concerns, for example, about a challenge to democracy in the region or to doubtful human rights records; and, equally, there was nothing about ideology or values. Nonetheless – rightly in the view of many – he spoke out against the socalled neo-conservatives in the US for giving lectures to the rest of the world about how they should live or govern their affairs. These interventionists had “wrecked more nations than they had built”, he said. This pattern of impulsive decision-making brings with it a lack of consistency and continuity together with the uncertainty produced as a result of Trump constantly changing his mind; for example, in relation to the peace negotiations surrounding Ukraine. What is said today may be reversed tomorrow. His reported habit of rushing at things, which is widely assumed, is hardly conducive to wise and considered decision-making - instead of exercising restraint in the manner of a famous British statesman who kept on his desk a sign reading “Cool, calm deliberation disentangles every knot”.
Trump’s emphasis is on making deals above all else. Critics say this is done too often without adequate consideration of the wider implications and potential repercussions of a particular course of action through a proper and careful government decision-making process in order to determine whether or not a particular course of action is in US interests.
Can it be right for a country like the US with
its immense wealth, power and influence in the world to allow its foreign policy effectively to be in the hands of one individual, even if, as an elected president, he is the ultimate decision-maker.
One recent example was Trump’s agreement, during his Gulf tour, to meet Syria’s new president, a former proscribed jihadist, and lift sanctions on Syria. Was it in the US interest to do that and was that even given any consideration? Or could it have been a quid pro quo for the deals in Riyadh?
Finally, in this context, the evidence shows that the terrible events in Gaza have now reached another point of crisis with over 150 people killed there in the last twenty-four hours. According to reports, the Israelis have not allowed any food or other supplies in to Gaza since March 2 and have now mounted a sustained bombing attack that is horrifying the world. Israel has imposed a blockade preventing delivery of all food and other humanitarian supplies for more than ten weeks. Up to two million people are now said to be at critical risk of famine. Aid agencies, who have adequate supplies on the border ready for distribution, are now condemning Israel for its actions and are calling them ‘simply unforgivable’.
The BBC has reported that, if the aid crisis is not resolved soon, this manmade hellish situation affecting such a large number of people will result in further unspeakable tragedy. How much longer can this barbarity be allowed to continue? It is surely clear that Trump has the power to control the Israelis without destroying them as a nation.
WHILE researching the horrors happening around the world, I noticed three unrelated noteworthy events due to take place last weekend which will have brought joy to many but disappointment to others; namely, the annual Eurovision Song contest in Basel in Switzerland, the final of the ladies singles at the Italian Open tennis tournament and the FA Cup Final in Britain. My wife and I were able to watch live parts of all three. What is often known simply as Eurovision, this international song contest has been organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union since 1956. It used to be an oldstyle somewhat limited mainly TV event, hosted by the previous year’s winner. But it has developed into an extraordinary extravaganza of music and dancing routines with a huge global audience of millions of viewers. Thirty-seven
countries competed in the final this year, with Austria the overall narrow victors and the UK a disappointing nineteenth. The event was partly marred by proPalestinian demonstrators clashing with riot police. But the Israeli contestant, who was a Hamas massacre survivor, did well and came in second despite being booed and jeered during her performance.
As for the tennis, the leading woman player in Italy, Jasmine Paolini, had a dominant two-set victory in the final of the Italian Open over the US star and world-ranked player, Coco Gauff. She was the first home winner of this tournament for 40 years, and on the strength of this moved up to No 4 in the world rankings. Reportedly, this will give her a top seeding in the French Open which begins next Sunday. Then, to put the icing on the cake, on Sunday she also won the ladies doubles at the tournament with her Italian
partner. Needless to say, she has become the darling of the Italian crowds who are enjoying some welldeserved national pride.
Lastly, the final of the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, was played at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday. It is one of Britain’s sporting institutions and this year attracted some 85,000 spectators as well as a massive TV audience. The underdogs, Crystal Palace, beat the famous Manchester City team 1-0 – winning the first major trophy in the Club’s history – in what turned out to be a fine exhibition of football at its best in fine weather with incredibly good ball control, precision passing, and thoughtful positioning in both attack and defence. What a pleasure it was to be able to pause research on the internet and watch these three enjoyable and fun events.
PRESIDENT Donald Trump attends a business meeting at Qasr Al Watan, on Friday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Photo: Alex Brandon/AP
WINNER of the Eurovision Song Contest JJ from Austria holds up the trophy onstage he won with the song “Wasted Love” during the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, early Sunday.
Photo: Martin Meissner/AP
Storms and tornadoes continue to ravage central US after killing dozens
KENTUCKY Associated Press
FORECASTERS
warned Monday that more tornados and storms were possible in the central US as people from Texas to Kentucky cleaned up from severe weather that has killed more than two dozen people in four days.
In St. Louis, where officials estimated a tornado Friday damaged 5,000 buildings and may cost well over $1 billion, the mayor warned Monday that federal assistance could take weeks.
Kentucky has been hardest hit by the storms. A devastating tornado late Friday into early Saturday damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles, left many homeless, and killed at least 19 people, most of them in southeastern Laurel County.
In London where the devastation was centred, the small airport became a beehive of cleanup work after it took a direct hit from a tornado. Officials were using it as a base to get water, food, diapers and other supplies out to the community.
“We have 1,001 things going on. But we’re managing it. And we’re going to get it all cleaned up,” said London Mayor Randall Weddle said.
Officials in Kansas and Texas also were evaluating damage from late Sunday storms.
Tornados could be possible in an area centred in eastern Oklahoma on Monday with the risk of severe storms moving into Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
KENTUCKY CLEAN S UP
The Kentucky storms that killed 19 people were part of a weather system that
caused seven deaths in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said.
Lonnie Nantz hid in a hallway with his wife, two daughters and a grandson as the one-story brick home they bought near London in 1977 was destroyed around them. They were trapped in rubble for about 20 minutes in the midnight darkness before they were rescued unharmed.
I don’t know why this happened. I’ve tried to live a good life all my life. I’ve still got the faith,” said the 77-year-old who went to church as always on Sunday.
London city worker Ashley Taylor was back on the job Monday loading doughnuts to take to a hospital and dispatch center even though there was a tarp on her roof. She was lucky — the houses across her street were destroyed late Friday night.
She survived the storm with nine other people and three dogs in the crawl space of a neighbour’s home,
“We prayed like never before — and just thankful for everything God did for us,” Taylor said. In surrounding Laurel County, first responders were mourning one of their own.
Fellow firefighters found the body of Laurel County Fire Major Leslie Leatherman on top of a woman he was shielding from the storm’s fury as he answered calls during the worst of the storm. The woman was yelling for help and they were in a field across from a destroyed subdivision. The injured woman turned out to be Leatherman’s wife and officials aren’t sure if he knew who he was protecting in all the darkness and chaos, the
fire department said on social media.
18 YEARS L ATER A CITY I N K AN SAS SPARED
Forecasters on Sunday night issued a tornado emergency for Greensburg, Kansas, which had 12 people killed and 90% of the town destroyed by a 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) wide EF5 tornado with winds of 205 mph (330kph). This time the storm spared the town. Greensburg posted of social media power was out but it was safe after the “storm scare.”
Tornadoes in Kansas also carved a 20-mile (32-kilometer) path through Stafford
After US cuts funding,
budget request
GENEVA Associated Press
STRIPPED of US funding, the World Health Organization chief on Monday appealed to member countries to support its “extremely modest” request for a $2.1 billion annual budget by putting that sum into perspective next to outlays for ad campaigns for tobacco or the cost of war. After nearly 80 years of striving to improve human lives and health –which critics say it has done poorly or not enough -- the UN health agency is fighting for its own after US President Donald Trump in January halted funding from the United States, which has traditionally been WHO’s largest donor.
County and Reno County. While damage was extensive, no injuries or deaths were reported.
ST LOU IS WAIT S FOR FEMA
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected by an EF3 tornado with winds up to 150 mph (240 kph) that slammed areas north and west of downtown Friday.
“This was an unprecedented storm,” Mayor Cara Spencer, who has estimated that damages will exceed $1.6 billion, said during a news conference Monday. “Eight
miles of pure destruction, at times a mile wide. We’re talking about thousands of buildings, thousands of families are being displaced. The recovery work is just beginning.”
The city immediately issued a state of emergency and is awaiting a disaster declaration from the governor’s office so it can access federal help.
US Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, also expressed frustration over the federal response to a deadly March storm.
“We cannot wait months. I’m not happy about the fact we’re still waiting from all of that
damage two months ago,” Hawley said.
Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Chief David Richardson said last week he plans to shift responsibility for disaster recovery to states this year as part of an agencywide transformation and FEMA would coordinate federal assistance “when deemed necessary.”
In Texas, several tornadoes touched down west of Fort Worth on Sunday, including an EF1 with peak winds of 105 mph that caused damage in and around Gordon, the National Weather Service said Monday.
WHO chief defends $2.1b
by comparing it with cost of war
up over half of the budget. They are also expected to agree to a hard-wrought “ pandemic treaty ” that was born of a desire to avoid any replay of the patchy, unequal response to COVID-19 when the next — and inevitable, most experts say — pandemic hits. Among other things, the treaty would guarantee that countries that share critical samples of viruses will receive any resulting tests, medicines and vaccines and give WHO up to 20% of such products to make sure poorer countries can have access to them.
“Two-point-one billion dollars is the equivalent of global military expenditure every eight hours,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “Two-point-one billion dollars is the price of one stealth bomber, to kill people.” “And $2.1 billion is one-quarter of what the tobacco industry spends on advertising and promotion every single year. Again, a product that kills people,” he told the WHO’s annual assembly. “It seems somebody switched the price tags on what is truly valuable in our world.” Tedros made no specific reference to the US cuts but has said previously the US pullout was a “mistake” and urged Washington to reconsider. A State Department spokesperson, in an email, confirmed Monday that “The United States will not field a delegation to participate in the World Health Assembly.” WHO has presented a budget for the next two years that is 22% less than originally planned, largely in response to US and other Western funding cuts, and says it has landed commitments for about 60% of that. But it still faces a budget gap of $1.7 billion. “We know that in the current landscape, mobilizing that sum will be a challenge. We are not naive to that challenge,” Tedros said. “But for an organization working on the ground in 150 countries with a vast mission and mandate that member states have given us, $4.2 billion for two years — or $2.1 billion a year — is not ambitious. It’s extremely modest,” he said. Cuts that could cost lives
of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.
As a result of the cuts, the UN health agency this year has seen a plunge in its ability to carry out its sweeping mandate to do everything from recommend reductions in sugar levels in soft
drinks to head the global response to pandemics like COVID-19 or outbreaks like polio or Ebola. Tedros and his team have been grappling with a response to the US cuts as well as reduced outlays from wealthy European countries that are worried about an expansionist Russia and are putting more money toward defence, and less toward humanitarian and development aid. Matthew Kavanagh, the director of Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Policy and Politics, said other countries have used the US cut in aid “as cover to do their manoeuvring, with many countries in Europe reducing aid.” “The WHO faces an existential crisis that goes well beyond a budget gap to the question of whether this sort of multilateralism can succeed in addressing global health in this new era of
nationalism and misinformation,” he said, alluding to discord between many countries that could cost lives. “Literally millions will likely die needlessly on the current trajectory and the world’s health ministers do not seem capable of a coherent response,” Kavanagh added. Pandemic preparedness on the agenda
On tap for the nine-day World Health Assembly are two major advances that are aimed to buttress WHO’s financial strength and bolster the world’s ability to cope with future pandemics. Member countries are expected to agree to raise annual dues, known as “assessed contributions,” by 20% to support WHO finances and reduce dependency on governments’ voluntary contributions — which change each year and make
“Every World Health Assembly is significant, but this year’s is especially so,” Tedros said. “This is truly a historic moment.” The treaty’s effectiveness will face doubts when the US — which poured billions into speedy work by pharmaceutical companies to develop COVID-19 vaccines — is sitting out, and because countries face no penalties if they ignore it, a common issue in international law. Kavanagh said passage of the treaty “could be a significant victory — evidence that the US government may no longer be indispensable in global health” and could offer an opportunity for developing nations in the “global South” over the longer term.
Management shake-up as critics blast WHO Trump has long derided WHO, including back in his first term when he pulled the United States out over its alleged kowtowing to China and other alleged missteps in the Covid pandemic.
President Joe Biden put the US back in. On his first day back in office in January, Trump signed an executive order to pause
future transfers of US government funds to the WHO, recall US government staff working with it, and announce a formal pullout by next January — under a one-year timetable required under US law. Other opponents continue to lash out at WHO. CitizenGo, an activist group that supports right-to-life and religious liberty issues, protested Monday against the pandemic treaty outside the UN compound in Geneva where WHO’s meeting was taking place. The rally included a balloon sculpture in the shape of the world and a banner inveighing against “globalist elites” and showing an image of Tedros and billionaire Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, a major WHO supporter, shaking hands while surrounded by dollars. “In the aftermath of Covid, the WHO got together and thought was a good idea to centralize even more power,” said CitizenGo campaigner Sebastian Lukomski, accusing WHO of an effort to “remove more fundamental freedoms and not learn from the mistakes that were taking place during COVID.” In the run-up to the assembly, WHO has been cleaning house and cutting costs. At a meeting on its budget last week, Tedros — a former Ethiopian health and foreign minister – announced a shake-up of top management that included the exit of key adviser Dr. Michael Ryan from the job as emergencies chief. Tedros said last week that the loss of US funds and other assistance have left the WHO with a salary gap of more than $500 million.
DIRECTOR General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivers his statement, during the opening of the 78th World Health Assembly at the European headquarters
Photo: Magali Girardin /Keystone/AP
DONOVAN QUEEN, right, hands Dam Barnett some photographs that he dug out of the remains of his home in the Sunshine Hills neighbourhood in London, Kentucky, yesterday.
Photo: Timothy D Easley/AP
Art to help mental health
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
STUDENTS from primary, junior, and senior high schools across The Bahamas were honoured for their powerful contributions to the “Mental Health Through My Eyes” Art Competition.
Through drawings, paintings, and mixed media, students depicted mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, helping to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental wellness.
Their artwork reflected both personal insight and a deepened understanding of emotional struggles faced by many young people today.
The initiative aimed to encourage open conversations about mental health while connecting students to positive coping strategies and available support services.
During the award ceremony, guest speaker and visual artist Jodi MinnisRolle praised the students for their courage and creativity. She also shared her personal experience with anxiety and highlighted the role art played in helping her manage academic stress.
Director of school psychological services, Dominique McCartney-Russell applauded the students’ efforts and stressed the importance of mental health education in schools.
In support of continued arts education, the Ministry of Education donated $500 each to the art departments of TG
Glover PDR School, HO Nash Junior High School, and CR Walker Senior High School.
XARIA A SHINING STAR IN TOURISM SPEECH CONTEST
XARIA Ingraham, of Mary Star of The Sea Catholic Academy in Grand Bahama, emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 Junior Minister of Tourism Speech Competition Finals, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.
Xaria captivated judges with her eloquence and insight, securing first place among finalists from across the country.
The competition, held under the
theme “The 3 New S’s of Caribbean Tourism: Smart Technologies, Sustainable Practices, and Social Inclusion,” required students to deliver prepared speeches and answer a mystery question live, testing both their research and critical thinking under pressure.
As the 2025 Junior Minister of Tourism, Xaria has earned an allexpense-paid trip to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Youth Congress, a $700 cash prize,
and a trophy. Her school also received a $700 award and a floating trophy in recognition of her accomplishment.
ST AUGUSTINE’S College Head Boy, Daunte Butler, has been named valedictorian of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc’s 38th Honours Day Convocation. Daunte, who holds a cumulative GPA of 4.10, was also the recipient of one of only two Engineering Awards presented at the ceremony.
Tourism officials applauded all the finalists for their thoughtful contributions to the future of Bahamian and regional tourism, highlighting the importance of youth engagement in shaping sustainable and inclusive industry practices.
Xaria succeeds 2024 titleholder Orlandria Pinder of Central Eleuthera High School.
Second place went to Malique Campbell of Admiral Ferguson Senior High School/Virtual School in Crooked Island, who received a $500 cash prize and a trophy. His school was awarded $500 and a plaque. Brazil Roache of St Anne’s School placed third, winning a $300 cash prize and a trophy, with her school receiving $300 and a plaque.
His accomplishment marks a proud moment for his family and school community. In a remarkable coincidence, his older brother, Donovan Butler, also received the Alpha valedictorian title in 2020. Duante has proven to be a standout student leader and currently serves as president of the school’s student government. He also led the SAC debate team to victory at the 2023 National Debate Championship and is a member of the school’s swim team. He plans to pursue a degree in bioengineering at Tulane University in New Orleans this coming September.
THE TOP three winners of the 2025 Junior Minister of Tourism Speech Competition, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper and Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president Jackson Weech.
Bahamas National Youth Guard graduate 104 from cohort IV
THE Bahamas National Youth Guard (NYG) marked a milestone with the graduation of Cohort IV on May 16, 2025, in a formal ceremony held at the Baha Mar Ballroom, Cable Beach.
Under the patronage of Prime Minister Philip Davis,
the event celebrated 104 young Bahamians who completed 14 weeks of basic training and internships focused on leadership, disaster response, and national service. The program, led by the Ministry of National Security, saw participation from
the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and was praised for fostering resilience, discipline, and civic responsibility.
Mr Davis after an inspection of the latest cohort, addressed the graduates, commending their readiness to serve as reliable
first responders during crises. Cohort IV, the largest to date, represented a near-even gender split and was noted for its strong commitment and achievements. The ceremony included a parade inspection, musical performances, and a formal presentation of
awards and certificates. Graduates were urged to continue leading with courage and compassion as they transition into roles that support national development and emergency preparedness.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr