COLEBY-DAVIS: BPL READY FOR SUMMER
Great Stirrup Cay pays $840k in
environmental penalties
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
While FNM’s Rollins says outages already have people ‘sweating’
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
ENERGY Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis insisted yesterday that Bahamas Power and Light has enough generation capacity to meet summer demand, even as Long Island MP Andre Rollins accused her of misleading Parliament after widespread outages left Bahamians “sweating” over the weekend.
For the summer period, Mrs Coleby-Davis said
BPL is preparing for peak demand of 300MW in New Providence, 27MW in Abaco and 20.5MW in Eleuthera. She said BPL currently has 340MW of installed capacity in New Providence, a fgure expected to increase to 385MW by the month’s end. Abaco has 36MW of installed capacity, while Eleuthera currently has 24MW. Eleuthera’s capacity is projected to increase to 26.5MW by the end of July
Prison Commissioner apologises to
‘the
women of The Bahamas’
Mr Lightbourne’s disclosure marked a rare public accounting of an
GREAT Stirrup Cay has paid about $840,000 in environmental penalties after a Ministry of Environment investigation uncovered multiple infractions dating back to the COVID-19 period, Environment Minister Zane Lightbourne revealed yesterday in a rare public disclosure of the value of an environmental enforcement action.
ENVIRONMENT Minister Zane Lightbourne.
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
PRISON Commissioner Doan Cleare apologised to “the women of The Bahamas” yesterday for remarks that triggered a public rebuke from National Security Minister Myles LaRoda and calls for his resignation after he suggested female correctional recruits could be dismissed more quickly than men.
Mr Cleare said his comments were "inappropriate and caused ofence" after widespread criticism of BDOCs commissioner
Mitchell says US court documents require further review before tabling
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS and LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporters
FOREIGN Afairs Minister Fred Mitchell defended the PLP against claims of hypocrisy yesterday, arguing that a fraud writ the party tabled against former Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest in 2020 was
diferent from the US court afdavit it now wants kept out of Parliament because the earlier document was Bahamian.
Mr Mitchell appeared to suggest that a local court document could be placed before Parliament on its face, while foreign documents – even one fled in one of the United States’ most prominent federal judicial districts – requires further authentication or review before being given similar treatment.
FNM leader Michael Pintard, making a second unsuccessful attempt to table documents tied to the US allegations, argued
Energy, Utilities and Aviation Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis speaks in the House of Assembly yesterday.
Photo: Shawn Hanna
Doan Cleare.
Fred Mitchell.
Speaker again blocks Pintard from tabling US allegations
the distinction is you’re not dealing with a Bahamian document.”
that allegations involving a member of Parliament and a sworn afdavit fled by US authorities had implications for Parliament’s credibility and the country’s international reputation.
Mr Mitchell’s response, during yesterday’s morning sitting of the House of Assembly, came after The Nassau Guardian noted that the PLP, while in opposition in 2020, tabled a writ containing untested fraud allegations involving Mr Turnquest, who was then deputy prime minister and minister of fnance.
Mr Turnquest was accused of being a conspirator in an alleged scheme to defraud two companies of about $28m while in private life, although he was not named as a defendant.
Then-Opposition Leader
Philip “Brave” Davis repeatedly called for his resignation, and Mr Turnquest later resigned from Cabinet.
“I am advised, and very believe, frst of all, that that document that was entered was a Bahamian document,”
Mr Mitchell said yesterday. “Foreign documents, when they’re entered into evidence in this country have to be apostille to be authenticated as the document, so that’s the other thing, so you’re dealing,
The fght centres on a US court fling that alleges an unnamed Bahamian politician met an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration source and a pilot inside a Parliament building in October 2024 to discuss a cocaine shipment allegedly worth $30m.
The fling refers to the unnamed fgure as “Politician-1”.
House Speaker Patricia Deveaux frst blocked moves to table the documents on Tuesday after saying she would not entertain what she called “frivolous” and “malicious” gossip.
Mr Mitchell continued his objection yesterday.
“This is not a forum for sub judice,” the Fox Hill MP added.
Mr Pintard pushed back, saying many documents previously tabled by the opposition were not frst reviewed by the Speaker.
However, Mrs Deveaux did not relent. She said opposition members could present the documents to her clerk and that she would be guided by her legal team.
Mr Pintard argued that the allegations risked damaging the reputation of the House of Assembly, but Mrs Deveaux rejected that view.
Later in the day, Mr
Pintard held a press conference condemning the Speaker’s actions and what he described as the government’s lack of transparency on the matter.
During the budget debate, Mr Mitchell warned that Parliament should not give formal standing to allegations that have not been tested in court and could ultimately prove false or defamatory. He pointed to the controversy involving North
Abaco MP Kirk Cornish as an example of why Parliament should proceed cautiously.
“The point that I wish to emphasise is that I have seen us go down this road before with the member for North Abaco,” he said. “There was the most unseemly, salacious set of allegations being hurled at this fellow.”
“He could not respond to it, and what could we do, except to say, let us hear the other side, and as it turns
out, the other side shows that it was just bogus. The whole thing was bogus.”
In 2024, Mr Cornish was acquitted of two counts of rape and one count of assault.
Mr Pintard rejected the claim that the US criminal complaint was irrelevant to the budget debate, arguing that allegations involving a member of Parliament and a sworn afdavit fled by US authorities have implications for Parliament’s
credibility and the country’s international reputation. He said the opposition was not asserting that the allegations were true, but said the government had a duty to respond publicly.
Mr Pintard said the government’s response has been inadequate and argued that both the executive and Parliament have a responsibility to reassure Bahamians if the allegations are false.
‘Ain’t nothing got me scared’: MP hits back at FNM attacks
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
ELIZABETH MP
JoBeth Coleby-Davis forcefully defended her character in the House of Assembly yesterday, telling opposition members that “ain’t nothing got me scared” after they heckled her over a controversial US court indictment.
Mrs Coleby-Davis was making her contribution to the budget debate when opposition members made remarks from their seats about the indictment. She has not been named
in any US court flings. She said opposition attacks on her character were not new, arguing that similar blows were levelled against her during her frst term before voters in Elizabeth returned her to ofce.
“These some of the blows they throw last term,” she said, “and the Bahamian people in Elizabeth even more voted for me.”
She said she weathered those attacks through faith and prevailed at the polls.
Mrs Coleby-Davis also challenged the FNM to feld whoever it wants against her in the next general election.
“Ain’t nothing for me to be scared,” she said in response to remarks from the opposition.
The indictment controversy has dominated parts of this year’s budget debate, with opposition members repeatedly demanding greater transparency and urgency.
“I beat their chairman by over 300 when I was not known. I beat their chairman when I was not known and for four and half years, they throw blows, lies, all kind of things on my character, but I know the God I serve.”
Prison commissioner apologises for sexist recruit remarks
remarks he made during a signing-on ceremony for the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services’ 81st recruit cohort.
The controversy erupted after Mr Cleare suggested female recruits would be dismissed after a single mistake, while male recruits would receive more leniency because qualified men are harder to recruit.
Mr Cleare said in his apology that his remarks “were never intended to demean, disrespect, or discriminate against women”, but accepted responsibility for the effect of his words.
“As a public servant, I have always held women in the highest regard and deeply appreciate their invaluable contributions to public service, nation-building, and the advancement of our society,” Mr Cleare said in the letter.
Mr LaRoda rebuked the commissioner in the House of Assembly, saying he summoned Mr Cleare to his office and that the commissioner had written to apologise to the permanent secretary and the minister.
He said he had worked with “outstanding” women throughout his career and respected their “professionalism, leadership and commitment”.
He acknowledged that his remarks did not reflect the values, standards and principles of the Ministry of National Security, the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services or the government of The Bahamas.
Mr Cleare said he regretted the lapse in judgement and recognised that, as a leader and public servant, he is expected to communicate with professionalism,
respect and sensitivity at all times.
“I offer my profound and heartfelt apology,” he said. “I sincerely regret the offence my remarks caused and acknowledge the disappointment and concern they may have occasioned.”
The apology came after Women United president and former senator Lisa Bostwick-Dean called on Mr Cleare to resign. Former Opposition leader Loretta Butler-Turner also said she was “appalled” by the comments and called on him to retract them.
Killarney MP Michela Barnett-Ellis called the commissioner’s comments “deeply concerning” and asked Mr LaRoda in Parliament to investigate whether his comments reflected how prison officers have been disciplined or terminated. Mr LaRoda said the permanent secretary will meet the commissioner this week to discuss the matter further. He said Mr Cleare told him the comments were made ‘jokingly,’ but Mr LaRoda said he reminded him that his position carries weight.
ENERGY, UTILITIES AND AVIATION MINISTER JOBETH COLEBY-DAVIS
HOUSE Speaker Patricia Deveaux and oppositionleader Michael Pintard clash in Parliament over the tabling of US allegations involving a member of Parliament’s connections with suspected drug trafficker Jonathan Gardiner.
Coleby-Davis insists BPL ready as MP says Bahamians ‘sweating’
and 29MW by August, she said.
Concerning Grand Bahama, she said ofcials expect peak summer demand to reach 60MW, up from 56MW last year.
She said she has been advised that sufcient generation coverage is in place for demand.
Her defence of the country’s preparedness for the summer came during a fery budget debate that drew jeers from the opposition and renewed scrutiny of the country’s electricity supply as BPL pushes through major infrastructure upgrades in New Providence.
Mrs Coleby-Davis said the energy sector was moving in the right direction, though she acknowledged it was experiencing “growing pains”.
Dr Rollins rejected that assessment, pointing to recent outages across the country.
“The reality is this past weekend, we had Bahamians sweating,” he said. “Like Leslie Miller said,
Bahamian people were sweating because lights were of in New Providence for more than 24 hours in certain locations.”
He also cited what he called “embarrassing” blackouts in Cat Island that disrupted the island’s rake and scrape festival.
“That is not progress,” Dr Rollins said. “We are regressing under the leadership of the member for Elizabeth.”
Mrs Coleby-Davis pushed back, saying outages caused by faults or other systematic issues were not the result of political decisions.
She questioned whether anyone truly believed BPL wanted customers to be without electricity, noting the company earns no revenue when the power is out.
Mrs Coleby-Davis said some outages are occurring as BPL carries out essential work under its summer readiness programme.
“In some areas, electrical loads that are normally shared between two circuits are temporarily being supported by just one while construction is ongoing,” she said.
“This added demand can strain sections of the network and heighten the likelihood of interruptions.”
Mrs Coleby-Davis compared the situation to renovating a home, saying careful planning can minimise inconvenience but cannot eliminate every challenge involved in rebuilding critical infrastructure while maintaining service. She acknowledged public frustration but said BPL does not take the disruptions lightly.
She said crews are working around the clock to safely manage the grid while carrying out modernisation eforts.
“While some believe that these challenges are unique to our shores, the honest reality is that we are not alone,” she added. “As I speak in there today, several US states and some provinces in Canada are experiencing periods of grid stress due to extreme heat waves. To be clear, knowing that we are not alone does not excuse us from our duty, rather it should motivate our energy companies to work smarter and in a strategic manner.”
MICAL MP urges gov’t to deliver cheaper power
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter
NEWLY elected MICAL
MP J Leo Ferguson signalled impatience with the pace of change in his constituency yesterday, urging the government to deliver cheaper power and long-promised infrastructure after warning that residents remain trapped by daily outages, high electricity bills and unfnished projects.
Contributing to the debate on the 2026/2027 Budget in the House of Assembly, Mr Ferguson said residents of Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay continue to struggle with unreliable electricity and soaring power bills.
“Diesel-generated power is dominant and expensive,” he said. “Let's continue to
push micro solar grids and initiatives that are needed sooner rather than later.”
Mr Ferguson, an FNM member, backed the government’s plan to introduce solar microgrids in the Family Islands, calling them a practical way to reduce
dependence on diesel generation, cut electricity bills and strengthen resilience during hurricanes.
“Family Islands have to cut electricity costs,” he said. “Cheaper power equals lower cost for households and businesses.”
He said southern islands pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country and warned that high energy costs continue to stife investment, business expansion and economic opportunity.
“Our current status of daily power cuts, and power bills, which makes a small family choose necessity over comfort, has to be resolved,” he said.
Although he welcomed the government’s renewable energy plans, Mr Ferguson questioned when residents would see results.
“MICAL is on the list, but my question is, how long before we see results?” he asked.
He said solar microgrids could support eco-tourism, lower operating costs for small businesses and create jobs through training in solar installation and maintenance.
Mr Ferguson also pressed the government to deliver long-promised infrastructure projects across MICAL. He acknowledged planned investments in roads, clinics, airport upgrades, drainage works and administrative buildings, but said several projects announced in previous budgets remain unfnished or have not started.
“On behalf of the people of MICAL, no empty promises,” he said. “As my esteemed colleague and cousin, Honorable V Alfred Gray would say, fx it.” He called for improvements to seawalls, docking facilities, fshing stations and community infrastructure, along with upgrades to water systems, telecommunications services and hurricane shelters.
Mr Ferguson also raised concern about delayed payments to local government
contractors and the continued use of long-term contract workers who have not been made permanent and pensionable.
He further urged the government to consider tax relief on essential goods, a VAT-free trade zone for the southern islands, expanded technical and vocational training through BTVI and increased support for tourism, fshing and eco-tourism.
He said better connectivity, cheaper power and greater local investment are needed to slow population decline in the Family Islands and give residents more reasons to remain at home.
“Keep building," he said. “Keep believing that Crooked Island, Mayaguana, Inagua, Long Cay, and Acklins are not places to leave behind, but places to invest.”
MICAL MP J LEO FERGUSON
ENERGY, Utilities and Aviation Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis speaks in Parliament yesterday.
Photo: Shawn Hanna
Whistleblower complaint leads to $840,000 Stirrup Cay ne
environmental enforcement penalty, two years after then Attorney General Ryan Pinder refused to reveal how much Sun Oil was fned after 35,000 gallons of diesel spilled into waters of Great Exuma. At the time, Mr Pinder said the settlement was confdential, efectively setting out the government’s approach to such matters and drawing criticism from environmental advocates who argued that secrecy weakened public confdence in enforcement.
Mr Lightbourne said the Great Stirrup Cay infractions included breaches related to environmental consultant requirements, other development-related violations and a burning complaint from a whistleblower that triggered the ministry’s investigation.
He said the total value of the infractions uncovered was about $840,000 and confrmed the penalties had been paid.
The investigation followed complaints from former Great Stirrup Cay employee Daylland Moxey, who alleged environmental violations at the cay and later claimed he faced retaliation after raising the concerns.
Asked whether the penalty represented a milestone for the ministry, Mr Lightbourne said the government’s objective was not to collect fnes, but to force compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
“We want levying fnes and punishing people after the fact to be the last resort. We want compliance and cooperation,” Mr Lightbourne said, explaining that long-term environmental damage cannot be reduced to a dollar fgure. “When you use the beauty and the comfort of some of your environmental spaces and you’ve already created a hazardous environment, the remediation is still a long-sufering point in some cases, and we hope to avoid that.”
He said the enforcement
action represented a “win for the law in terms of legislation” relating to environmental infractions, but insisted the ministry’s ultimate goal remains full compliance.
Mr Lightbourne also stressed the importance of people reporting suspected environmental violations, saying the public and visitors must help authorities identify lawbreakers because the country’s archipelagic geography makes it impossible for ofcials to be everywhere at once.
“I’m not labelling any company or any person as a criminal,” Mr Lightbourne said. “Sometimes these infractions stem very extensively that negatively afect people’s health and well-being and the environment itself, so we want to make sure that we encourage the public and we protect wherever we can their involvement, their identity.”
He said Mr Moxey had been “bold” in contacting authorities about his concerns.
However, Mr
Lightbourne stopped short of saying the minis try’s investigative report would be released publicly, saying he would seek guid ance from senior ofcials on whether it could be disclosed.
Great Stirrup Cay, a 268-acre private island in the Berry Islands, is exclu sively owned by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), a major global cruise company.
The disclo sure comes after years of criticism over secrecy surrounding environmental enforcement.
After the 2022 Exuma diesel spill, Mr Pinder confrmed that a fne had been negotiated with the responsible company, but later refused to reveal the amount, saying he did not disclose confdential settlements
Pintard threatens court fight after Speaker blocks PAC work
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Staff Reporter
Opposition Leader Michael Pintard vowed yesterday to press ahead with the Public Accounts Committee’s work and test the matter in court if necessary after House Speaker Patricia Deveaux ruled that unfnished committee matters from the previous parliamentary session had “fallen away” after prorogation.
The clash erupted in the House of Assembly hours after Mr Pintard said the PAC expected to release at least two reports within weeks, including one on the 2023 CARIFTA Games audit.
The dispute unfolded during the evening sitting after Nassau Village MP Jamahl Strachan said there had been an attempt by the PAC chairman to advance committee business from the last parliamentary term after the dissolution of the House of Assembly. He called for the Speaker’s intervention.
East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson, who sits on the committee, rejected
the allegation as “completely inaccurate”.
“There were two motions that were made at that time,” Mr Thompson said. “One was because this was a new session, we moved to determine what would happen or which matters would be determined in this session. The committee made a decision that it would deal with matters that were unfnished during the last session.”
Ms Deveaux disagreed, ruling that all matters before the committee during the previous session ceased to exist when Parliament was prorogued.
“The house was prorogued and dissolved, all matters pending have fallen away, and the hurtful part about it is y'all know that and you know that,” the Speaker said.
“The newest thing is how do you bring an old matter in what has fallen away when there are new members sitting on this committee who have not been appraised, who was not involved in the dialogue previously,” she said.
Ms Deveaux continued to chastise the opposition, pointing to past claims that
she has been unfair.
“You want to tell the speaker how to do her job and then go into the public arena and say I'm not fair, but there are rules and regulations,” she said. “Y'all know what is right from what is wrong, and then you want me to side with what is wrong. I'm gonna tell the world like how y'all tell the media, I will not be silenced, so you can over talk me all you want. I will not be silenced on what is wrong.”
PLP members banged on their desks in support as the Speaker delivered her ruling.
Mr Pintard challenged the intervention, saying the committee would continue its work.
“The PAC will resume its work and we are prepared to test it in court if it is necessary,” he said. “What you are saying is inappropriate.”
Ms Deveaux fred back:
“You’re taking me to court, carry me there. My legal team ready.”
Before the confrontation, Mr Pintard told reporters ahead of a PAC meeting that members planned to meet permanent secretaries who testifed during
previous sessions.
“I spoke with one of the permanent secretaries who testifed during the last session. We expect that within a couple of weeks we’re going to release at least two of the reports, and we just want to make sure that the statements were made on the record, that they agree that this is what was refected with the previous testimony, and we’ll then proceed and release those reports,” he said. In addition to the 2023 CARIFTA Games audit, he said the committee also planned to issue a report concerning the Consumer Commission’s ofce space issues. An Ofce of the Auditor General report in 2023 highlighted irregularities concerning the 2023 CARIFTA Games hosted in The Bahamas, including a lack of fnancial control, failure
to follow hiring procedures, unauthorised use of petty cash and unauthorised purchases.
The report found that the games recorded an $829,821 defcit even after the initial budget increased signifcantly.
Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg pushed back against the report, saying the games ended with a $185,000 surplus.
at the Ofce of the Attorney General. The spill occurred in July 2022 when 35,000 gallons
of diesel leaked into waters of Great Exuma as a vessel contracted by Sun Oil was delivering fuel.
MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT ZANE LIGHTBOURNE
The Tribune Limited
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Ignoring US allegations only harming lawmakers
DISMISSING allegations contained in a recent DEA agent’s afdavit regarding a high-ranking politician being involved in an international cocaine smuggling ring as being “frivolous” and or “malicious gossip” may be a bit of a stretch
It is one thing for the Speaker of the House of Assembly to suggest that said allegations are not true, it is another matter altogether to dismiss claims from US. Government as if they have no weight at all.
Worse, sticking our heads in the ground and ignoring such allegations leads to the very gossip the Honourable Lady has summarily dismissed out of hand.
Yet, names have already been called into question in idle online speculation. Whether that person is the same one whose name is allegedly on the packet of money being carried by Mr Gardiner is, at the moment, unknown
That is not just “gossip”. The investigators have also presented this and other evidence and, based upon such, Gardiner has been arrested and is now behind bars
If a politician was sitting in the House, while also negotiating cocaine deals in the Parliament building, that should outrage every member sitting there.
All the same, why should the innocent Members of Parliament who have nothing to do with it be caught up in smears which turn out not to be true?
If one ‘high ranking politician’ (assuming an MP rather than a Senator or some other political appointment) is indeed guilty, that leaves at least 40 others who are innocent. They do not deserve to be caught in the crossfre. What should be done – and what we have repeatedly said – is a proper investigation and let the chips, as the Prime Minister said, “fall as they may”
Should US investigators know the name of the politician – then release it; However, we should not become so obsessed with the name of the politician that we overlook what appears to be the DEA’s continued ‘warrantless
wire-tapping’ of the phones of Bahamian citizens without the consent of our judiciary. This is not gossip. It is evidence-based on startling disclosures contained in secret documents from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Either way, tying to brush of the claims just looks like wriggling on the hook, which only drives the hook deeper. Instead, let’s root-out such individuals, whoever they are, regardless of whatever political side they might be on. If, as the Ofce of the Prime Minister has said, it’s taking these claims seriously; then why is anyone else - let alone the Speaker - saying something diferent?
Fight for equality ‘far from over’
CORRECTIONS Commissioner Doan Cleare got caught on camera saying some pretty outrageous things in recent days.
His sexist comments undermined his authority, and raised questions over whether the words he expressed represented the policies he administers under his regime.
However, he has come forward and apologised – not quite in the way we urged in yesterday’s Tribune, publicly in the same way he made the comments in the frst place. Rather, he issued a statement.
His apology is welcome – although those questions over his regime should be answered as well.
Many in this world say or do the wrong thing then fail to apologise –Commissioner Cleare has recognised his wrong and had the good sense to see an apology was needed.
We hope the backlash he has received will give a few others pause as to their beliefs when it comes to women – and perhaps remind us all that the fght for equality is far from over.
Crown Land for Bahamians rst
EDITOR, The Tribune.
Dear Fellow Bahamians:
IN regard to the above subject, further to the ongoing developmental programmes in the family islands, taking place.
I feel led to encourage intense vigilance, by everyone. As we have previously seen, our government leaders have shown to have a modes operando of informing and involving the public,
after announcing their decisions and not before.
I’m sure that you will agree that priority of public land aka crown land must be given to Bahamian citizens, especially the taxpayers to best include, that plans like the aforesaid are ones that they can best fully beneft from.
I am deeply concerned of the amount of land, the environmentally sustainable development of the
Cuban demands justice in Raúl Castro indictment
EDITOR, The Tribune.
AFTER reading the recent newspaper articles and listening to the radio interview regarding the indictment of Raúl Castro in the United States, along with the subsequent comments made by the Cuban Ambassador in The Bahamas, I was struck not only by what was said, but by what was left unsaid.
The Ambassador devoted considerable attention to sovereignty, foreign interference, the American embargo, and even José Martí. Yet he largely avoided the central issue before us: the allegations themselves.
The indictment concerns the 1996 shoot down of two Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft in international waters, resulting in the deaths of four men, three of them American citizens. Regardless of one’s views on Cuba, the United States, or the embargo, the fundamental question remains simple: do the families of those victims deserve justice?
If a foreign government shot down two Bahamian civilian aircraft and killed four Bahamians, there would be no debate in this country about whether accountability should be pursued. We would demand answers. We would demand an investigation. We would demand justice. Why should the principle be any diferent in this case?
Instead of addressing that question, the Ambassador asks us to view Raúl Castro and the Cuban government as victims. Missing from that narrative is any meaningful discussion of responsibility for the policies and actions that have shaped Cuba’s reality over the past six decades.
Raúl Castro was not a bystander to that history; he was one of its principal architects.
The consequences remain visible today. Independent human rights organisations continue to report more than 1,000 political prisoners in Cuba, including minors. Amnesty International has highlighted the case of Jonathan David Muir Burgos, a 16-year-old boy arrested after protesting blackouts and food shortages who reportedly faces a sentence of up to twenty years in prison. Grammy-winning musician Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo, co-creator of the song Patria y Vida, is serving a nineyear prison sentence.
These facts raise a simple question the Ambassador did not answer: if the Cuban system enjoys the broad
public support he claims, why does it imprison teenagers for protesting and musicians for writing songs?
The Ambassador also spoke extensively about the sovereignty of the Cuban state but never addressed the sovereignty of the Cuban people. Governments derive legitimacy from their citizens, not the other way around.
More than three million Cuban-born citizens have left the island, many settling in the very United States the Cuban government routinely condemns.
When nearly a quarter of a nation’s people choose to build their lives elsewhere, it becomes difcult to argue that the problem lies entirely beyond its borders. In the absence of free and competitive elections, millions of Cubans have expressed their verdict on the system in the only peaceful way available to them: by leaving.
The Ambassador also repeated the familiar argument that Cuba’s economic difculties are primarily the result of the American embargo. Yet Cuba trades with countries throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia, Canada, and elsewhere, and for nearly two decades benefted from heavily subsidised Venezuelan oil. If the embargo alone explains Cuba’s economic condition, what became of those enormous advantages?
What I fnd most remarkable, however, is the Cuban government’s contradictory relationship with the United States. It routinely condemns America while simultaneously seeking American tourists, American remittances, American trade, American investment, and relief from American sanctions. If the United States is truly responsible for Cuba’s problems, why is access to the American economy considered so essential to Cuba’s future?
For decades, the Cuban government has used the United States as both a political scapegoat and an economic lifeline. Domestic failures are blamed on Washington while simultaneously hoping Washington will provide the resources necessary to sustain the very system making those accusations.
After more than sixty years in power, it is increasingly difcult to attribute blackouts, food shortages, deteriorating hospitals,
collapsing infrastructure, declining living standards, and mass emigration to anyone other than those who have governed the country for generations.
As Bahamians, we should be cautious whenever any government asks us to ignore facts and focus exclusively on political narratives.
The issue before us is not whether one supports Cuba, opposes Cuba, supports the embargo, or opposes the embargo. The issue is whether serious allegations involving the deaths of four human beings deserve to be examined honestly and fairly.
As a Cuban, I hope for a future built on reconciliation, prosperity, democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. But reconciliation cannot be built on historical amnesia. It must be built on truth, accountability, and justice.
That is why this indictment matters.
If the allegations are false, they should be challenged in a court of law. If they are true, those responsible should be held accountable regardless of age, title, or political legacy. The families of the victims deserve no less.
There is no statute of limitations on murder.
Since the Ambassador chose to invoke José Martí, it is worth remembering what Martí actually believed. Martí, revered as the Apostle of Cuban Independence and widely regarded as the father of the Cuban nation, admired republics governed by laws rather than by men. He believed that no individual, regardless of rank or power, should stand above the law.
Had Martí been alive today, it is difcult to imagine him arguing that allegations involving the deaths of four civilians should be dismissed because the accused once held power. More likely, he would have insisted that the facts be examined, the evidence be heard, and justice be allowed to take its course.
As Martí wrote, “Only tyranny fears the full expression of liberty.”
The search for truth, accountability, and justice should never be feared by those who have nothing to hide.
The victims deserve justice. The Cuban people deserve the truth. And history deserves an honest reckoning.
A CUBAN LIVING IN THE BAHAMAS Nassau, June 10, 2026.
land, the actual ownership of the land, etc. In view of the foregoing, to reiterate, this must be addressed before any construction process commences.
I look forward to feedback from you on this and all related issues, as we continue with our partnership. Warm Regards!
JASON MOXEY
Mayaguana June 5, 202
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I WRITE as a concerned citizen wishing to remain anonymous, to bring attention to ongoing concerns within the taxi and livery transportation sector in The Bahamas.
Many hardworking drivers have invested signifcant time and money into purchasing and maintaining vehicles that meet the requirements to operate legally within this industry. These individuals have applied for taxi and livery plates through the proper channels and are prepared to provide consistent, lawful service to the public. However, there is growing concern that the current system allows some individuals to retain taxi and livery
plates without actively operating vehicles. At the same time, qualifed drivers with suitable vehicles are being denied or delayed access to plates and are left with no option but to rent plates from existing holders. This has created a situation where many active drivers are paying between $420 and $500 per month simply to operate under plates registered in another person’s name. This adds signifcant fnancial strain on top of vehicle payments, maintenance, fuel costs, insurance, and family responsibilities.
Within the industry, this arrangement is widely viewed as unfair and burdensome, placing active operators under ongoing
fnancial pressure while inactive plate holders continue to beneft fnancially without providing transportation services.
This letter is not intended to accuse any individual, but to highlight a system that requires urgent review. If a plate holder is no longer actively operating a vehicle, there should be a formal review process to determine whether that plate should remain assigned while qualifed applicants continue to be denied access.
Hardworking drivers should not be forced into costly monthly arrangements simply to work.
A CONCERNED BAHAMIAN CITIZEN Nassau, June 6, 2026.
Six American cruise passengers ordered to pay over $47k in fines after cruise port brawl
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
SIX American cruise passengers were fned more than $47,000 yesterday after admitting to a violent brawl at Nassau Cruise Port that spilled into the Tourism Police Station, where police said four ofcers were injured and a glass door was smashed during an attempted escape.
The Colorado visitors — Daniella Duran, 22, Gabriella Aguilar, 27, Jaeyln Duran, 19, Irvin Castro, 26, Andrew Tapia, 21, and Jose Duran, 50 — appeared before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly Burrows on a raft of charges stemming from the Monday afternoon disturbance.
They faced various charges, including fve counts of assaulting a police ofcer, disorderly behaviour in a police
station, disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest, obscene language, escape from lawful custody, causing dangerous harm, two counts of damage and obstruction.
Police said ofcers responded shortly after 4.45pm on Monday to a fght involving several cruise passengers in the port area.
The defendants admitted assaulting Sergeant 2406 Ostelhomme, Corporal 2807 Walker, Corporal 3812 Michel, Police Constable 4711 Artis and Police Constable 4583 Hanchell.
Police said the accused resisted arrest and cursed ofcers. Irvin and Daniella seriously injured Corporal Michel by dislocating his shoulder.
The suspects also damaged PC Hanchell’s Apple Watch and a glass door belonging to the Royal Bahamas Police Force
while attempting to escape lawful custody. Jose was accused of obstructing ofcers in the execution of their duties.
According to police, ofcers intervened in the initial altercation and took the suspects into custody with help from additional personnel.
The confrontation escalated at the Tourism Police Station as ofcers prepared to search the fve arrested passengers.
Police said one female suspect threw a chair through a glass door, shattering it, while a male suspect kicked out the remaining glass while trying to escape. He was immediately subdued, according to police.
Additional police units were called to restore order.
In one video, a young man in a white T-shirt, blue shorts and bright blue socks is seen kicking through the glass panel
of a door at the Tourism Police Station.
A man in a red shirt and beige pants then grabs the young man as a police ofcer comes out of the building. Broken glass can be seen scattered outside the entrance.
The video shows several ofcers and the man in the red shirt restraining the young man against a fagpole outside the station before ofcers take him back inside.
Police said the fve suspects sufered minor injuries during the initial fght at the cruise port. They were examined and treated by Emergency Medical Services personnel.
After pleading guilty, the defendants claimed they were intoxicated during the incident.
Daniella was fned $16,600 or face one year in prison. She must also compensate Corporal Michel $2,500 and PC
Hanchell $125. Gabriella and Jaeyln were each fned $11,600 or face six months in prison. They must each compensate PC Hanchell $125. Andrew was fined $4,600 or face one year in prison.
Irvin was fined $2,800 or face six months in prison. He must also com
pensate
Jose
WOMAN CONVICTED OF MURDER DESPITE BOYFRIEND’S MISSING BODY
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN has been convicted of murdering her former boyfriend even though his body was never found, a verdict her attorney called unjust and legally troubling because prosecutors relied on a presumption of death while also arguing he died within a specifc period.
Emajane Fitzgerald, 44, was convicted last week of murdering Keith “Fat Head” Russell, who disappeared more than a decade ago.
A jury returned a 7-1 guilty verdict on June 4 after a four-week trial that began on May 11 before Justice Andrew Forbes.
Terry Archer, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, appeared for the Crown, while Paul Wallace-Whitfeld represented Fitzgerald.
Mr Wallace-Whitfeld said the outcome was not what he and his client had expected.
“She’s been convicted in circumstances where
there’s no body,” he said. The prosecution alleged that Fitzgerald intentionally caused Russell’s death between August 9 and 10, 2015. Russell, who lived in Coral Reef Estates, was reported missing by family members and had not been seen or heard from since. The prosecution relied on the seven-year presumption of death under the Evidence Act, which allows a person to be presumed dead if they have not been seen or heard from by people expected to have contact with them for seven years.
At the same time, prosecutors had to prove Russell died within a year and a day of the unlawful harm allegedly inficted on him.
“To me, those two positions are incompatible,” Mr Wallace-Whitfeld said. “How can you tell a jury on one hand that the prosecution has proved death within a year and a day, while at the same time relying on the seven-year presumption?”
The attorney said Fitzgerald was disappointed by the
MAN ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTING TO DEFRAUD WOMAN OF $10K
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN accused of using a letter with a forged signature of Housing and Urban Renewal Minister Keith Bell to defraud a woman of almost $10,000 was remanded to prison Tuesday. Prosecutors allege Nathan Bain, 27, uttered a letter bearing Mr Bell’s forged signature to Derek Wilson and defrauded her of $9,622.25 on May 19. Bain also allegedly assaulted Sergeant 3948 Hall and Police Constable 4456 Smith and damaged Hall’s property, valued at $1,386, at 12.40pm on
June 4. Bain pleaded not guilty to charges of uttering a false document, possession of a false document, fraud by false pretences, money laundering (acquisition), damage and two counts of assaulting a police ofcer before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly-Burrows. Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom, the prosecutor, objected to bail, citing Bain’s previous fraud conviction. In 2018, Bain was sentenced to one year in prison for fraudulently obtaining cash, Bahamian passports and NIB cards from several people. Bain was remanded to prison until his bail hearing on Thursday.
MAN ADMITS TO DAMAGING HIS MONITORING DEVICE WITH WATER
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN awaiting trial for armed robbery was placed on probation yesterday after he admitted damaging his electronic monitoring device with water last Sunday.
Accasico Nottage Jr, 21, pleaded guilty to damaging his Migrafl monitoring device by exposing it to water on June 7. He was placed on probation for one year and
fned $1,000. Failure to pay the fne could result in a six-month prison sentence. He must also reimburse Migrafl $850 for the damaged device or risk imprisonment. Nottage returns to court today to pay compensation. He is due back in court on June 11, 2027, for his probation report. Assistant Superintendent of Police Kendrick Bauld prosecuted the case before Magistrate Abigail Farrington.
outcome and would likely seek legal advice after sentencing on whether to appeal.
“She feels she’s been
unjustly convicted, and so do I,” he said.
Mr Wallace-Whitfeld said the verdict was difcult to accept.
“It’s not the outcome we were looking for, but she handled it better than I did,” he said. Justice Forbes requested
a probation report on Fitzgerald from the Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services before passing sentence.
-
Corporal Michel $2,500.
was fined $150 for obstruction or face one month in prison.
Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom prosecuted the case.
Nassau Cruise Port security attemtp to break up a brawl between cruise passengers on Monday. The court ruled yesterday that persons involved must pay fines or face time in Jail
FNM in the wilderness
Simon • Front Porch party needs to be ft for purpose
IN AN in-depth analysis in The Bulwark on why Kamala Harris lost her bid for the US presidency in 2024, the campaign’s Deputy Campaign Manager, Rob Flaherty, ofered powerful insights applicable to the Free National Movement’s (FNM) failure to win the recent general election.
“My biggest lesson from the 2024 election is that tactics don’t add up to a brand, and a brand is the most important thing in politics today. Without a brand that people genuinely feel is connected to your candidate’s deeply held beliefs, your tactics will add up to nothing. You’ll reach people but won’t close the deal.”
There are a complex of internal and external reasons why the FNM lost. Those who believe that it was mostly due to public relations and related tactics are missing a considerably bigger picture and socio-political landscape and context.
Tactics and PR can always be improved. Still, neither are the main reasons for the FNM’s failures, which will continue to drag the party down if it fails to meaningfully analyse its problems and reform itself.
While there is no single cause for the FNM’s loss, it must be honest in identifying the major reasons for its loss.
More than after-action reports from consultants are needed to revitalize the FNM. The party needs more than a postmortem on this campaign. It needs a new vision of itself and a bold plan to make it ft for purpose.
It’s wonderful to talk about a future Bahamas in policy terms. What, however, does a future FNM look and feel like? Another word for brand is identity.
Bahamians have some sense of the identity of the PLP, which bills itself as the party of the grassroots. Ask Bahamians what the FNM brand is and you may get blank steers. Even many FNMs cannot articulate what the party’s brand is today.
FNMs in their mid-50s or older have a certain view of the party and the Ingraham era. Times and the electorate have changed.
AI helped
Younger voters do not remember the Ingraham years. They have diferent sensibilities and are removed from politics. They do not watch the evening newscasts. They do not read newspapers. While newspapers still help set the political agenda, the days of talking to editors at the journals, including The Punch, to drive political communications are over. One must now be a master of the digital domain, especially given the vast possibilities of AI.
Political parties must now invest in infuencers, creatives, thinkers, writers, and others who can provide appealing and provocative content. The PLP are masters at emotional appeal, which the FNM often makes rational appeals that fail to grasp voters emotionally.
it will continue to diminish and atrophy. The FNM’s task is to do for the party what Tony
This year’s election was the frst time in 40 years that the FNM lost back-toback elections. Since 2017,
The party must address glaring failures, such as the need for a digital infrastructure and grassroots outreach that must be expanded now, not months before a general election.
The party must also address leadership at every level, which will be discussed in the months ahead. Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham famously launched an era of reform and modernization of The Bahamas that transformed the country. Today, the FNM needs a sustained period of reform and modernization. If the party does not engage in such fundamental change
musician
We are in a different era. Still, many of the perennial realities of political life remain. Will the FNM modernize to respond to today’s political landscape?
Blair, Gordon Brown, and advisors like Alistair Campbell, and the now disgraced Lord Peter Mandelsohn, did for the Labour Party in the 1980s and 90s. This is the scale of the change the FNM requires.
with Parkinson's fnish his new album when he could no longer play
By MUSTAKIM HASNATH Associated Press
LONDON (AP) — Samuel Smith spent years writing songs with a guitar in his hands. Now, the London-based singer-songwriter is using artifcial intelligence tools to help him continue making Americana music after Parkinson's disease largely took away his ability to play guitar.
Smith, who was diagnosed with the progressive neurological disorder in 2020, recently released his second album, "The Art of Letting Go." For one of the eight tracks, an instrumental piece titled "Horizon," he relied on platforms that use AI to generate music to create demo arrangements that would convey his vision to the musicians who recorded the song.
The demos he created by humming rough melodies into his phone and uploading the recordings into song generators like Suno and Udio weren't for mixing into the fnal studio version of "Horizon," Smith stressed. But tremors, stifness and fatigue, which are common symptoms of Parkinson's, caused his guitar skills to deteriorate during the more than a year he worked on the album, he said.
"So then I'm faced with a question," Smith, 49, said. "'Don't play, don't be creative, or fnd a way out, fnd a route.' And for me, this was the route."
Generative AI has divided the music industry, whose artists and record labels have complained of their copyrighted work being used to train the models behind AI-powered music tools. Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Records sued Suno and Udio in June 2024, although Universal later reached a settlement and partnership deal with Udio and Warner did the same with Suno.
Less discussed is what those platforms can do when employed by a serious musician like Smith, whose disease afects the tools central to his songwriting and identity as a guitarist: his hands. He released his debut album, "In the Springtime," in 2023, saying he wanted to give his two sons a way to remember when he could perform and record music himself.
"I'd always written, I'd also played, I always sung," he said. "And immediately it became clear to me that I was in trouble, that my music was going to be seriously compromised."
From prompts to convincing demos
AI music generators use systems trained on large datasets of recorded music and audio. The platforms analyze patterns in melody, harmony, and rhythm before generating new audio based on prompts or uploaded recordings. Users don't need musical talent to end up with a serviceable song, or even a popular one.
the party has lost half of those who voted for them in that election. The party’s seat total remains in single digits after two consecutive elections.
Some say that the party is not in crisis. Many
guitar
Smith said producing convincing demos from the synthetic tracks the apps generated often required "50, 100, 150 attempts" and extensive editing "to get something that sounds close to my music." After humming a song into his phone and uploading the recording, he gives prompts describing instrumentation, mood and style.
"AI is not replacing anything for me," he said. "It's unlocking, it's enabling. It's allowing me to keep writing. I upload my lyrics; AI doesn't create my lyrics. I upload my music; AI does not create my music."
He added: "It then brings it to life in a way that I can play to session players and say, 'Here, that's what I'm thinking, that is what I'm hearing.'"
A bittersweet guitar duet
The album was produced by Grammy-winning pianist and producer Matt Rollings, who assembled a group of established roots and bluegrass musicians for the project. They included dobro player and 16-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas, Grammy-winning banjo player Alison Brown, fddler Stuart Duncan, guitarist Bryan Sutton, bassist Viktor Krauss and singers Jonatha Brooke and Glen Phillips.
For Smith, the experience of singing in a Nashville studio alongside musicians he had admired for decades was "an extraordinary moment."
Grammy-nominated guitarist Julian Lage, known for his jazz and acoustic recordings with Blue Note Records, performed on the album's title track and on "Horizon." The latter recording became a bittersweet high point in Smith's career; despite the progression of his disease, he managed to play a guitar duet with his friend.
"I hadn't been able to play for months, but I kept telling myself that if I wrote something to take to the studio, perhaps the clouds would part for a few minutes," Smith said. "That's what happened. I had a window of about 10 minutes in the studio when my arm freed up. ... So in the end, I was able to capture the last breath of my guitar playing."
others, including this columnist, vigorously disagree. The FNM is showing the classic signs of being in the proverbial political wilderness.
It has suffered a terrible electoral defeat, including losing seats in New Providence ranging from Yamacraw in the east to St. James in the West. That it failed to win any of this seat-rich belt of constituencies is more than alarming. It was a disaster.
The party failed to adequately reach and motivate the “persuadable middle”, despite disgruntlement with the PLP’s many failures.
Another sign of being in the wilderness is internal division, more of which in subsequent columns.
For now, such division will only worsen if the party fails in substance and tone to heal various wounds. It must also enliven the party with new members, talent, donors, and critically, new voters and those who have left the party.
A loss of confdence aficts those in the wilderness, who come to lack clarity, purpose, and a sense of identity. The wilderness is uncomfortable, often depressing, with feelings sometimes of hopelessness, lassitude, and indiference.
Still, the FNM does not have the luxury of self-absorption or self-pity. In the Bible, the wilderness is a time of testing and preparation. “Far from just a physical wasteland, it serves as a powerful spiritual metaphor, a place [for] profound transformation.”
Both major parties lost some voters. Two thirds of registered voters are not with the PLP. But neither did more than two thirds
vote for the FNM. The good news for the party is that there is room for tremendous growth.
Drugged by hubris, self-indulgence, and various corrupt and antidemocratic practices, the PLP is unlikely to change. Given the number of seats it has, the party has no incentive to change.
The party may be convinced that it will win in 2031 with the same formula used to win this year: a base election, fooding constituencies with state and gaming boss money, giving out government largesse such as vouchers, Crown Land and other goodies, and other elements of its playbook.
Is the PLP beatable? Of course. Faced by the entrenched power of the white oligarchic United Bahamian Party, with all of its personal and state wealth, control of government and the media, and the ability to victimize, the PLP of that day faced immense odds.
The PLP unseated the UBP. It became the liberationist party because of the quality of its leadership and intense grassroots activism. Critically, the PLP had a powerful message and identity.
They created a compelling brand, the power and reach of which remains in the hearts and spirits of many Bahamians. The party launched Bahamian Times, a vital instrument of its political strategy, communicating the party’s brand and message to thousands. Produced weekly, it captured the attention and imagination of voters.
We are in a diferent era. Still, many of the perennial realities of political life remain. Will the FNM modernize to respond to today’s political landscape?
The party has tremendous opportunities for revitalization. However, it must be willing to boldly reimagine itself, possibly attracting more support than it may currently imagine. If it fails, however, to grasp the moment, it is possible that it will lose more votes next time, and within 10 years may possibly be near third party status.
New possibilities and perils Experts said AI-assisted music tools could beneft other people with disabilities or illnesses.
Ruaidhri Mannion, a composer, music producer and sonic artist who teaches at Brunel University of London, said technology like afordable digital recording software "efectively democratized the making of music" in recent decades. By helping songwriters and musicians communicate ideas and collaborate more easily, AI tools that generate polished-sounding material from voice or text prompts could work in the same way, he said.
Photo: Dapo Abid/pexels
IN this 2013 photo provided by Samuel Smith, the musician plays guitar in his home studio.
Photo: Samuel Smith via AP
Charlie Harper • Stateside
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
23rd World Cup in the Americas
THE 2026 World Cup starts this afternoon. It’s the 23rd quadrennial edition of the world’s greatest sports competi tion. For decades, the World Cup and the summer Olympic games were contested in the same year. But in 1994, they were separated to prevent the World Cup from overwhelming the Olympic games in world attention.
With an expanded feld of 48 nations competing at venues in three host countries (the United States, Canada, and Mexico), 16 stadi ums, and a whopping 104 matches, this will be a World Cup like none held before.
When the match between co-host Mexico and South Africa kicks of in the riotous atmos phere at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City this afternoon, the place will be a frenzy of support for El Tri. There should be similar anticipation and passion for Canada versus Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto later today and for the United States against Paraguay on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Interestingly, the US beat Paraguay 3-0 in the second-ever World Cup match during the competition’s inaugural tour nament in 1930. That game was played in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The Canadians, coached by Ameri can and former English Premier League manager Jesse Marsch, could have extra motivation, since it’s possible they could face the United States in the knockout (second) round. Given the barrage of insults hurled northward by American president Donald Trump during his second term in ofce, that might be a fascinating grudge match.
This World Cup was awarded jointly to the US, Canada, and Mexico eight years ago, during Trump’s frst term. And espe cially since the fnal will be played July 19
outside his home town of New York City, Trump has never been far outside the ruption for a commercial message.
There will even be a half-time show, Super Bowl-style this year, with
Historically, the
these four nations have won 12 of the 22 World
evening. Haiti and Scot
This year, however, none is highly rated to take the eran superstar strikers like Neymar, now playing club icius Junior, a star forward for Real Madrid. The team is also managed by Carlo rated manager in UEFA tory and the only coach to win league titles in all of Argentina are still led by striker and world-best player Lionel Messi, still
land square of Saturday evening. England doesn’t begin play until Wednesday, in a potentially tough match against Croatia, the 2018 runners-up and a team that still featuring several of the stars whose skill fueled that run to the fnal.
The 48 contesting teams are divided into a dozen groups of four, each playing one another in a roundrobin format. With the top two teams in each group and the eight best thirdplace fnishers advancing to the next, knockout round, only 16 teams will actually get eliminated in this frst phase. But then things advance rapidly in a single-elimination format.
They have been managed for the past 14 years by Didier Deschamps, who helped France win the World Cup as a player in 1998 and eight years ago as manager. The French are perhaps best known for their intimidating front line of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise. But there are stars everywhere on this squad.
One of them is midfelder N’Golo Kante, who now plays in Turkey, but was a breakout star 10 years ago for Leicester City, which won the Premier League title despite beginning the 2015-16 season as 5,000-to-1 long shots.
A William Hill spokesman has said that Leicester City's title cost the bookmaker nearly $3 million, and it cost bookmakers nearly $15 million across the United Kingdom. He also mentioned that after that corporate calamity, William Hill no longer ofers title odds higher than 1,000-1.
Kante then moved to Chelsea, where he served again as the ‘engine room commander’ in midfeld as the Blues won Kante’s second straight EPL title. The list goes on for France. They are full of stars who play key roles for some of the biggest, most successful clubs in world soccer. It’s been unwise to bet against them for over a decade now, and it says here that this year will be no diferent.
The French begin with a difcult match against Senegal on Tuesday afternoon. Spain open with Cape Verde on Monday.
dazzling at 38 while headlining Inter Miami in the American Major League Soccer league. And Germany cannot be overlooked, with lots of depth and familiarity because so many of their stars play for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Italy, however, failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third straight time! In many minds, England and Spain, with one title apiece, are the favorites to triumph this year. The English are coached by Thomas Tuchel, a German who won the Champions League with Chelsea, and domestic league titles in France and Germany with Paris-St Germain and Bayern respectively. England are led by Harry Kane, one of the handful of most prolifc goal scorers currently active in soccer’s top leagues. He is fanked by skillful wingers and an experienced midfeld. This is a deep and talented squad flled with lish Premier and it’s tion to chances lent at returning the world cup to the home of ers Declan Rice of and Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid and goalie Jordan Pickford stand out. The last and only English World Cup title was won 60 years ago, so there will be pressure on this team. But supporting them is no guarantee of the anguish and frustration that has followed English fans in previous tournaments. Spain, featuring seven Barcelona stars and three more from Athletico Madrid (but none from Real Madrid, whose key men hail from Brazil and elsewhere), features Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, who will turn 19 during the tournament. This youngster aims to seize the title as world’s best during this World Cup, but veteran savvy may outweigh precocious youth in such a high-profle competition. Much of that experience resides on the team representing France, winners of the World Cup in 2018 and runners-up in 2022. This is the team to beat this year.
Mbappe
Shakira
Rice
Yamal
ROTARY CLUB AND LINCOLN DEAL PRESENT HEALTH DEVICE TO URIAH MCPHEE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Ocer testi es stolen car buyer picked suspect in lineup
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A POLICE ofcer testifed yesterday that a man who bought a car stolen during an armed robbery identifed one of the accused in a photo lineup as the person who sold him the vehicle.
Andre Lightbourne, 31, and Luther Delancy, 22, appeared before Justice Neil Braithwaite as testimony began in their armed robbery trial. Prosecutors allege the pair, while armed with a frearm, robbed Sherika Gibson of a brown Nissan Cube and $48 while she was near Go Postal on Carmichael Road on July 15, 2022.
The suspects allegedly pulled up beside Ms Gibson in a dark-coloured Mazda before the carjacking. The stolen Nissan Cube belonged to Ms Gibson’s boyfriend.
Sergeant David Rolle said that on August 10, 2022, while at the Criminal Investigation Department, he spoke with Detective Corporal Demeritte about Lightbourne. Sergeant Rolle said he prepared a 12-person photo lineup that included Lightbourne.
He said Michael McCartney, the man who bought the stolen car, identifed Lightbourne as the person who sold him the vehicle. The ofcer said Lightbourne appeared as person number fve in the photo lineup and signed the document after the identifcation.
Detective Inspector Carlton Clifton Knowles said that around noon on August 9, 2022, he spoke with DC
Demeritte before going to the cell block.
He said he spoke with both defendants, told them he was there in connection with an armed robbery and asked whether they wished to participate in an identifcation parade.
Detective Knowles said both men agreed and signed a form.
However, he said he was unable to fnd people who closely resembled the suspects or had similar characteristics after searching the Oakes Field and Bain Town areas.
Under questioning from defence attorney Philip Hilton, Detective Knowles said he spent between an hour and a half and two hours looking for people to participate in the parade.
Detective Knowles told defence attorney Miranda Adderley that he was not part of the team that arrested the defendants and could not say when they were arrested.
He said suspects can be detained for 48 hours and that police can request a further 48-hour extension.
The defence argued that the ofcer had time within that period to continue searching for people to participate in an identifcation parade.
Detective Knowles said it was possible for people to be misidentifed, though he said he had never personally seen that happen. He said he instructed an ofcer named Miller to conduct a photo identifcation.
Detective Knowles rejected Ms Adderley’s suggestion that this never happened. He also denied her suggestion that he was lying about searching for people to participate in the
Man gets bail after pointing gun at cop
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was granted bail after he was accused of having a gun and making threats to kill near a numbers house on Prince Charles Drive last weekend.
Prosecutors allege Kesnor Lexidor, 37, threatened to kill Stephenardo Rolle around 5am on June 6. An of-duty ofcer reportedly received information about an armed suspect near A-Sure Win.
The ofcer tried to stop Lexidor, but he allegedly continued walking away quickly through the parking lot.
Lexidor allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at the ofcer.
The ofcer drew his own weapon and ordered Lexidor to drop the gun and surrender.
As Lexidor allegedly tried to fee behind a vehicle, the ofcer pursued him. During the chase, Lexidor allegedly discarded a silver Amadeo .38 pistol loaded with four rounds.
The weapon was recovered after his arrest.
Lexidor pleaded not guilty to threats of death, possession of an unlicensed frearm and possession of ammunition before Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr.
Sergeant 3004 Forbes, the prosecutor, objected to bail, citing Lexidor’s previous frearm conviction.
Lexidor was granted $10,000 bail with one or two sureties. He must sign in at the Carmichael Road Police Station every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday by 6pm and will be ftted with a monitoring device.
He was warned not to interfere with witnesses or risk having his bail revoked.
Lexidor returns for trial on October 19. In 2019, the Court of Appeal quashed Lexidor’s manslaughter conviction in connection with the 2009 shooting death of Tamar Morley.
Lexidor had been convicted in 2016 and sentenced to 22 years in prison. Alex Dorsett represented the accused.
identifcation parade.
Ms Adderley challenged the timeline of events, saying that at 12.47pm that day, about 17 minutes after one of the suspects signed the identifcation parade form, a separate form for photo identifcation was signed. She said this conficted with the
ofcer’s timeline.
Detective Knowles said he gave Ofcer Miller the instruction after searching for people to participate in the identifcation parade.
Ms Adderley suggested that photo three in the lineup looked more pronounced than the others,
but the ofcer disagreed.
Detective Knowles agreed that more could have been done to fnd people for the identifcation parade, saying he could have searched longer. He could not recall whether Delancy’s attorney was present that day.
Under questioning from prosecutor Cashena Thompson, Detective Knowles said the identifcation parade forms for the defendants were marked 12.20pm and 12.30pm respectively. Rashied Edgecombe also appeared for the prosecution.
LINCOLN DEAL, MP for Freetown, joins members of The Rotary Club, past presidents Shanley Toote and Tamieka Watson, during the presentation to principal Shavania Ferguson of an automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for Uriah McPhee Primary School on Tuesday. The donation aims to enhance emergency preparedness and student safety on campus. Photos: Shawn Hanna
Colina donates talking watches to honour roll students
COLINA Insurance
Limited donated talking watches to honour roll students at the Erin H Gilmour School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
The company said it presented the watches during the school’s honour roll ceremony on May 28 at the Salvation Army Nassau
Citadel Corps on Mackey Street.
Talking watches audibly announce the time, date and day of the week at the press of a button and are used by people with visual impairments.
“We love giving back and helping our community, and we hope that
these talking watches will keep the students on time,” said Maxine Seymour, director of corporate communications at Colina Insurance Limited, during the ceremony.
The ceremony was held under the theme: “From the Classroom to the Road: A Junkanoo Rake
n’ Scrape Celebration of Excellence”.
Quintino Barr, who earned a 3.83 grade point average, Kamall Forbes, who earned a 3.67 GPA, and Khemar Davis, who earned a 3.53 GPA, were named to the Principal’s List. Aaron Brown, who
earned a 3.45 GPA, Kylan Cartwright, who earned a 3.38 GPA, Kaliah Taylor, who earned a 3.29 GPA, and Macken Louis, who earned a 3.20 GPA, were named to the Honour Roll.
Colina said the donation is part of its ongoing relationship with the school. The company previously
donated mobile phones to students during another honour roll assembly.
Last summer, Colina team members also organised activities for students, including weekly feld trips to the Adventure Learning Centre, TERN Art Gallery at Island House and Fusion Superplex.
MACKEN LOUIS
KHEMAR DAVIS
MACKEN LOUIS KAMALL FORBES
KYLAN CARTWRIGHT
KALIAH TAYLOR
QUINTINO BARR
Agricultre Expo outside House of Assembly
VENDORS sell a variety of local produced items at an Agriculure Expo Downtown yesterday.
Photos: Shawn Hanna
Bill Gates testi es about his ties to Epstein, calls meetings a ‘grave error in judgment’
By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Associated Press
BILL Gates said Wednesday that he made a “grave error in judgment” by meeting with Jefrey Epstein but denied any wrongdoing as the Microsoft co-founder faced hours of questioning from lawmakers about his relationship with the disgraced fnancier.
In an opening statement provided to The Associated Press, Gates said he “should never have met with Epstein in the frst place,” but that he “never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.”
The tech billionaire became the latest powerful fgure linked to Epstein to testify before the House Oversight Committee. The committee chairman, Republican Rep. James Comer, formally requested that Gates testify after he appeared multiple times in a trove of documents released by the Justice Department as part of its Epstein probe.
As Gates arrived at the
Capitol, he noted that his appearance was voluntary and said he hoped his testimony would help lawmakers “fnd justice for the victims.”
Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, has not been accused in connection with Epstein’s crimes and has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of girls. He has said the two met only to discuss philanthropy and previously described the relationship as “a huge mistake.”
Most Democratic members who participated in Wednesday’s questioning described Gates as cooperative. They said some of the most useful information he provided involved other infuential people in Epstein’s orbit. Lawmakers also said they pressed Gates on why he continued interacting with Epstein after his 2008 guilty plea.
Gates was aware that Epstein had been convicted of “a horrifc crime and continued to interact with him to seek money for his foundation,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, the top-ranking Democrat on the committee, who described Gates’ actions
as “a horrifc judgment call.”
Before the interview began, Comer told reporters that the committee’s efort was “about trying to fgure out how the government failed.”
Lawmakers scrutinize Gates’ relationship with Epstein
Gates said he was introduced to Epstein through people involved in his professional and philanthropic work and was drawn in by Epstein’s claims that he could help raise billions of dollars for global health initiatives. Gates says he ended the relationship in 2014 after concluding Epstein could not deliver on those promises.
Gates added that he never went to Epstein’s island or his other infamous properties.
“I have never victimized anyone. While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated,” Gates said.
The remarks come as lawmakers review documents detailing Gates’ interactions with Epstein. Included in the fles are calendar entries for meetings between Gates and
Epstein, email correspondence between the two about philanthropic projects and photos of Gates at events that Epstein also attended.
Their relationship began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting prostitution from a minor, and continued until at least late 2014, according to the documents.
Lawmakers ofered difering accounts of the interview as they exited the room throughout the day.
GOP Rep. Tim Burchett described the questioning as “intense,” while Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said Gates was “combative” and “not terribly forthcoming or candid.” Garcia, by contrast, said that while Gates pushed back on some inquiries, “he’s answering the questions.”
Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury said Gates acknowledged maintaining contact with Epstein because he believed the “narrow relationship” was “an acceptable means to access wealthy donors.”
Both Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, have said his association with Epstein created tension in their marriage.
The foundation acknowledged in February that a small number of employees had met with Epstein based on his “claims that he could mobilize signifcant philanthropic resources for global health.” They never created a charitable fund together, and the foundation made no payments to Epstein.
Broader Epstein investigation continues
Epstein was federally indicted in July 2019 on charges of sex trafcking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafcking of minors. The Justice Department alleged that Epstein formed a vast network of girls, some as young as 14, for him to sexually abuse between 2002 and 2005. He died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. The fles released by the Justice Department read like a who’s who of powerful men across tech, fnance, politics and other industries. All have denied involvement in Epstein’s crimes, but some maintained or formed friendships with him even after his history of sexual abuse came to light.
At another closed-door deposition in February,
former President Bill Clinton faced more than six hours of questioning from lawmakers about his association with Epstein more than two decades ago. Epstein visited the White House several times during Clinton’s presidency, and Clinton few occasionally on Epstein’s private jet.
The former Democratic president said he saw no signs of Epstein’s sexual abuse and stopped associating with him long before Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea. Clinton has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Democrats on the House committee have pushed for testimony from President Donald Trump, a Republican who had his own relationship with Epstein. Republicans have said they have not come across any evidence that Trump did anything wrong during his well-documented friendship with Epstein.
Comer said Wednesday that he’s planning to ask attorney Alan Dershowitz to appear and that he’s been in communication with the Justice Department about acting Attorney General Todd Blanche coming in for questioning as well.
BILL GATES, co-founder of Microsoft, arrives on Capitol Hill for a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Washington, June 10, 2026. Photo: J Scott Applewhite/AP
Kingsway Academy holds
KINGSWAY Academy held its Sixth Grade Graduation at Bible Truth Ministries on June 9th led by
Principal Patricia Malcolm with a message from Elder David Adams.
Photos: Nikia Charlton