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POLICE RESERVE

GUNNED DOWN

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THREE men were killed in two separate shootings on Father’s Day — including Reserve Inspector Lernex Williams, a devoted father of four—who was gunned down during an attempted armed robbery in broad daylight at the Palmdale Shopping Plaza.

Shortly before noon, Williams was making a deposit at a bank drop box when he was approached by a group of men. An exchange of gunfire followed, and both Williams and one of the suspects were pronounced dead at the scene. Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles told reporters on scence that police suspect up to four men fled in a small white Japanese vehicle. It is not yet confirmed whether the

BEREAVED loved ones at the scene where a police reserve officer was shot dead along with one of his attackers as he tried to make a bank deposit at the RBC branch in Palmdale yesterday.

Father rings bell signalling survival in his ﬁght against aggressive form of cancer

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

JUST days before Father’s Day, Sharvez Woodside stood in a cancer centre ringing the bell — a symbol of survival after months of aggressive treatment for a rare disease that almost killed him before he could meet his daughter.

The 24-year-old father of two had just completed chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer, a diagnosis so rare doctors told him it affects only one in 200 people; and so aggressive, they had to create a custom drug regimen to treat him.

“It was unbelievable,” Mr Woodside said. “Never smoked vape a day in my life, but turns out I had lung cancer.” His symptoms started subtly: swollen lymph nodes that led to visits with doctors in New Providence. But answers didn’t come until he travelled to the US and sought emergency care at the urging of a relative.

“From there, I was sent to a hospital, and then I was SEE PAGE SEVEN SHARVEZ WOODSIDE

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Three killings on deadly

BEREAVED loved ones at the scene where a police reserve officer was shot dead along with one of his attackers as he tried to make a bank deposit at the RBC branch in Palmdale yesterday. See PAGE THREE for story.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Police reserve gunned down

from page one

men got away with any funds.

“I have given specific instructions that my officers are to hit the streets of New Providence and find those responsible for this today,” said Commissioner Knowles.

Williams, whose eldest son who died in 2020, is survived by two sons and a daughter. His nephew, Leshardo Stovell, described him as generous and full of life.

“He’s a person always giving. He always bubbly. You always joyful. It’s no wrong. He is everybody’s best friend,” said Mr Stovell. “Everybody on the police force love him, he’s just a pillar.” Williams was a long-time member of St Mary’s Parish and served as president of the men’s group. Though it was initially speculated that he was making a deposit for the church, Rector Father Colin Humes conﬁrmed that was not the case.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis mourned the loss of Williams, calling him

“one of the ﬁnest sons” of the Cabinet Ofﬁce.

“His ﬁnal act, believed to be in service to his church, tells you everything about his character,” said Mr Davis in a statement. “We grieve with his family, his fellow ofﬁcers, and the community he served.”

Opposition leader Michael Pintard also issued a statement, condemning the violence and urged national action.

“On a day meant for love and family, tragedy again shakes our nation. Two men—one a public servant who many of us know and respect—lost their lives in a violent incident in Palmdale. My heart goes out to their loved ones.”

Just a few hours later, another man was killed in a second shooting on Cordeaux Avenue. Commissioner Knowles said a white jeep pulled up to a property where a crowd had gathered, and two gunmen emerged and opened ﬁre, shooting three men.

One died at the scene; the other two were taken to

hospital, however the condition of the injured men is unknown. Family members and bystanders were visibly distraught, as persons were heard hollering and calling out the name “David”.

Commissioner Knowles conﬁrmed the victim, believed to be between 20 and 35, lived in the area and was wearing an electronic monitoring device at the time of his death.

“We don’t know the motive of this,” she said. “I am not prepared to share with you why he is wearing that device at this time, but maybe some time in the future I will do.”

She noted that police have recovered the vehicle used in the second shooting, while she also issued a stern warning to those behind the violence: “I want to say to those who believe they are in charge of these streets that they are not in charge of these streets. We will continue to police these streets.”

ee PAGE FIVE for images from the murder scene at Cordeaux Ave.

THE SCENE where a police reserve officer was shot dead along with one of his attackers as he tried to make a bank deposit at the RBC branch in Palmdale yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

RESERVE Inspector Lernex Williams.

Andros

Exumas

Ragged Isl

Bimini

Miami

Disaster Risk Management Authority condemns

act of vandalism at Abaco Hurricane Shelter

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRMA) has condemned an act of vandalism at the under-construction Abaco Shelter and Community Centre, calling it a reckless blow to the island’s ongoing recovery efforts at the start of hurricane season.

The shelter, intended as the first purpose-built storm facility in Abaco, was broken into late Friday night. According to the site contractor, someone gained entry through a rear door, spray-painted interior walls and doors, and scattered insulation materials on the floor. The insulation was apparently set on fire but did not ignite due to its fireretardant properties. The incident has been reported to police and remains under investigation.

“This facility is an urgently needed addition to Abaco’s recovery — one that strengthens the progress the community has already worked so hard to achieve,” said Aarone Sargent, managing director of the DRMA. “It is a shame to think someone may have been seeking to damage or destroy this shelter.”

Mr Sargent said the facility is critical to the island’s hurricane preparedness and that such acts of vandalism risk undermining public conﬁdence and deterring future support from international donors.

“This shelter is a crucial asset for the 2025 hurricane season, which is forecast to be above average, and for seasons to come,” he said. The project, expected to be finished at $4.5m, is funded in part by international partners, including a $1m donation from the Indian government. The shelter is designed to withstand Category 5 storms and house hundreds of residents during emergencies. It is the first of several such facilities planned to address shelter gaps in Abaco. Construction, however, has been marred by persistent delays. Initially announced in late 2020, the shelter was scheduled for completion in 2021. Structural issues, including foundational defects and collapsed roof trusses, significantly pushed back that timeline. As recently as March this year, government officials assured residents the shelter would be ready for the 2025 hurricane season.

Despite the weekend’s incident, the DRMA says the vandalism is not expected to impact the remaining construction schedule signiﬁcantly.

Still, the act has stirred anger and disappointment among residents and local ofﬁcials, many of whom have spent nearly six years trying to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian.

Central Abaco Chief Councillor Farrand Newbold said the community is

“deeply saddened” by the vandalism, describing it as a setback during a crucial period of vulnerability.

“We still have individuals who are trying to repair their homes, and have not even gotten it closed in properly,” he said. “So, there are lots of persons that would still be depending on these shelters.”

Mr Newbold added that he hoped police would ﬁnd those responsible and stressed that incidents like this could deter future donations. “Of course, it is a bad look from our side. It will discourage them from being willing to spend their money.”

Pastor Silbert Mills, of Friendship Tabernacle Church in Central Pines, said he was “extremely disappointed” by the attack. Mr Mills, who was

previously a member of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority Board, emphasised the importance of the shelter and the goodwill behind its funding.

“I understand how precious that donation was to the people of Abaco after the Indian government saw the devastation of Abaco, and then said, ‘what can we do to help these people,’” he said. “You know what it is for a government to cough up a million dollars to put in a community

shelter for a people who have never been to India?”

Mr Mills added that the shelter holds deep symbolic value for residents who lived through Dorian, and warned that if the attack had succeeded in setting the building on ﬁre, the consequences could have been disastrous. The DRMA has increased security at the site and is urging anyone with information about the vandalism to come forward.

Commissioner of Police among ﬁve to receive King’s birthday honours

POLICE Commissioner Shanta Knowles has been awarded the King’s Police Medal for her services to law enforcement.

The honour comes in the birthday honours of King Charles III. Meanwhile, an OBE (Ofﬁcer of Order of the British Empire) has been awarded to Talmage Raymond Leo Pinder Sr, JP, for service to business.

Three Bahamians have been awarded MBEs (Member of Order of the British Empire). They are Cynthia Allison Donaldson, for public service and activism, Eva Hilton, for services in education, and Dr Idamae Hanna, for services in health and wellness.

THE ABACO Hurricane Shelter as seen in March during an update on the progress of the building.

POLICE Commisioner Shanta Knowles.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

“They waited on my son like a thief in the night”

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS, Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

NINETEEN-year-old

Jeremiah Vernal Stubbs had just begun to carve out a future: a new job, clear goals, and a deep love for his tight-knit family. But in a burst of gunfire just feet from his home on Winder Terrace, those dreams were violently extinguished on Friday.

“He wasn’t a troublemaker,” his mother, Micheline Griffien, told The Tribune yesterday. “They waited on my son like a thief in the night.”

Stubbs was gunned down around 10.45pm. Police responded after ShotSpotter Technology picked up the sound of multiple rounds. When officers arrived, they found the teen lying unresponsive in the street. He had been shot several times. Emergency responders confirmed there were no signs of life.

His mother was just two doors away in the kitchen when the shots rang out.

“I heard every gunshot what my son got,” she said, voice breaking. “That’s hurtful. That’s something I will never forget. I could never erase that from my memory.”

Stubbs had recently started working at Atlantis. He often spoke of becoming an entrepreneur, building a transportation business from the ground up.

“He wanted to own his fleet of taxis and buses,” his mother said. “He wasn’t just some kind of vagabond. He was trying.”

Known for his sense of humour and tight bond with family, Stubbs often called his mother “Ms Krabs,” teasing her about money in a way only someone close could.

“Every time I see him, he want something,” she said, laughing through tears. “He would say, ‘Yeah, because I know you get it. You is Ms Krabs. Let me open that bag — that bag full of money.’”

Stubbs’ inner circle wasn’t a group of peers from the street –– it was his large family, his mother said. Raised among cousins who were more like siblings, his life revolved around home, ambition, and connection.

“Our family unit is very tight knit,” Ms Griffien explained. “If you see one, you would see the other.”

She’s adamant: her son wasn’t part of any gang or criminal activity. His

death, she believes, was a betrayal — not random violence, but something far more personal.

“I know in my heart that’s someone who know my son who killed him; they waited on my son,” she said. “That’s someone that was very close to him.”

Stubbs was her only son and his father’s only child — a loss so deep it’s almost unspeakable.

“This person can’t even imagine what they take from us,” she said. “I don’t have another son.”

If there had been a conﬂict, she said, she would’ve done anything to resolve it.

“You could’ve come to my door,” she said. “If I had to beg, if I had to borrow, I would’ve done it for my child.”

Now, justice feels out of reach. Not because she doubts the system, but because no resolution can replace what’s been taken.

“For me there is no justice,” she said. “I am never going to see my son have any children... accomplish his goals... get married. I don’t even know what justice is.”

She’s surrendered the outcome to a higher power.

“I will let God handle it,” she said. “God don’t sleep. I believe in karma.”

Images from murder scene at Cordeaux Avenue

JEREMIAH VERNAL STUBB S

BEREAVED loved ones gather at the scene on Cordeaux Avenue near Palm Beach Street where one person is dead and two more have been taken to hospital after a shooting yesterday. Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

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Publisher/Editor 1972-

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All hands needed to tackle crime

THE violence that erupted over the weekend, with a series of incidents including most shockingly perhaps the murder of a police reservist as he made a deposit at a bank, reminds us that the spectre of crime is still with us.

In the aftermath of the murder in Palmdale of Reserve Inspector Lernex Williams, which also saw one of his attackers shot dead in a gunﬁght, there were many stories circulating on social media. Some were correct, some were not. Some were blatant speculation, some had an element of truth.

Accompanying some of those were pictures of both the men who died in the Palmdale incident – we hope family members did not ﬁnd out about the deaths by seeing the photographs.

There seemed to be plenty of people on social media who seemed to suggest what had gone on – but we hope they paid attention to the call from Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles asking people who have evidence to come forward.

That is the real way to tackle crime. Tell the police. Help to get perpetrators arrested. Get criminals off our streets. The police, for their part, have to live up to their end of the deal. When people report a crime, they need to act.

Recently, The Tribune reported on the incident of Charles Sinn, whose leg was nearly severed in a ﬁght in a nightclub at Atlantis. He reported the crime. No action to this day has been taken. The Tribune has asked the police for further information – two years on from the crime – but none has yet been provided. So it is a balance.

Certainly we need to ensure that we tackle crime as a community. There should be no hiding place for these violent criminals who use guns to get what they want, and whose actions take away

family members, friends, workmates.

We should have no room in our society for those who deal drugs. For those who help those who do so.

We should have no room for the support network that pays thieves for their ill-gotten goods, for those who hide illegal weapons, for those who prevent criminals from being found.

It is not just those pulling the trigger, it is all those who get them to that point. Those who supply the guns, those who may give tipoffs about deliveries, those who lie to the police afterwards to give an alibi.

If we really and truly want to tackle crime, we need to look at ourselves. And we need to decide to be better.

And for some positive news

Two notes of congratulations in today’s column. First, to Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles on being included in the King’s Birthday Honours. The commissioner came to her post at a difﬁcult time, with allegations of corruption in the ranks. We hope she lives up to the honour bestowed on her and deals with any such behaviour. It is a tough task, and she must rise to meet it.

And in today’s Tribune you will also read the story of Sharvez Woodside, a 24-year-old father diagnosed with a rare disease that almost killed him before he could meet his daughter.

At such a young age, he has fought lung cancer – and just before Father’s Day, he learned he had beaten it. He rang the bell, that landmark moment in the battle.

So congratulations to him in his ﬁght – and this weekend will have been the most special of Father’s Days, we are sure.

Commit to ending elder abuse

EDITOR, The Tribune, TODAY we mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a solemn reminder of our duty to protect and uphold the dignity of our seniors. It is a day not only to condemn abuse, but to confront the systems that allow it to persist.

In The Bahamas, elder abuse remains a quiet crisis, happening in group homes, private residences, and even everyday interactions. I have spoken publicly on this issue many times because the reality is heartbreaking. Vulnerable seniors are being physically neglected, emotionally mistreated, and ﬁnancially exploited,

often by those entrusted with their care. I am particularly concerned about reports of abuse and neglect in care facilities that go unmonitored or underregulated. Too often, seniors are stripped of their autonomy, isolated from their families, and treated as burdens instead of as treasured citizens who built this country. The Free National Movement believes that our elders deserve more than protection; they deserve respect, comfort, and the full support of a grateful nation. We support stronger oversight of care institutions, tougher penalties for those who

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Su focating rising cost of rent

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE is a quiet crisis happening in the Bahamas. No headlines scream it. No press conference has ﬁxed it. But it is reshaping this nation one eviction notice, one missed rent payment, one defeated young Bahamian at a time.

Rent in this country has become a ruthless gatekeeper—shutting the door on dignity, stability, and the future of our people.

In New Providence today, the cost of a modest twobedroom apartment rivals rent in cities like Atlanta or Toronto— except we don’t have reliable public transport, job diversity, or liveable wages to soften the blow.

exploit the elderly, and national campaigns to raise awareness and encourage community vigilance.

We must also invest in caregiver support, accessible healthcare, and affordable in-home services to ensure that growing old in The Bahamas means aging with dignity, not fear.

Let us renew our collective commitment to end elder abuse in all its forms. Our elders deserve nothing less than to live the last chapter of their lives in peace, pride, and protection.

MAXINE SEYMOUR

FNM Senator June 15, 2025

Studio apartments that once cost $600 now fetch $1,200 or more. Families are paying $2,000 a month just to keep a roof over their heads. And what do they get for it? No tenant protections. No peace of mind.

This is not just about economics. This is about survival. This is about the slow suffocation of an entire class of people who were once the backbone of this country: the middle class. That middle class— the teacher, the nurse, the mechanic, the customs ofﬁcer—is disappearing. Not because they failed, but because the system has locked them out.

The new Bahamian dream? It’s not homeownership. It’s not upward mobility. It’s not even comfort. It’s just surviving the month. And we must ask ourselves, with brutal honesty: what kind of country are we building where Bahamians can no longer afford to live?

Let’s be clear. This crisis wasn’t born overnight. For years, successive governments watched the housing market balloon unchecked. Luxury condos rose while

affordable rental units fell into disrepair. Developers were courted. Airbnb boomed. Bahamian renters were told to “wait,” to “hustle harder,” to “be patient.”

But patience doesn’t pay the rent. Hustling doesn’t lower utility bills. And waiting? That has become a life sentence for too many. In the meantime, foreign investors snap up entire buildings and land.

Property owners chase tourists over tenants. And our own people—young professionals, families, seniors—are being pushed into poverty or exile. We are witnessing a slowmotion exodus. Talented young Bahamians are leaving, not because they want to, but because they can not breathe here. They can not afford to build lives, start families, or invest in the country that raised them. Those who stay are trapped in a loop of debt and dependency—working two jobs just to rent one bedroom. We are grooming a generation not to dream but to endure. And what of those who govern us? They speak of “studies,” “task forces,” and “strategic housing solutions.”” But every year, rent climbs higher, wages stagnate, and hope shrinks.

The Minister of Housing should not need a press release to know what’s happening on the ground— he should try renting on a teacher’s salary and see what it feels like to choose between rent and groceries.

The truth is that we have failed our own. We’ve allowed development without discipline.

Foreign ownership without local protection. And now we are reaping the bitter harvest: an economy that looks successful on paper but bleeds its citizens dry in real life. What future are we preparing for, exactly? One where Bahamians serve drinks in the resorts they can’t afford to live near? One where our artists, teachers, and tradespeople become economic refugees in their own land? If rent continues to climb unchecked—if wages remain an insult to our cost of living—then the real question is not when the crisis will peak. The real question is who will be left to care. We need action. Urgent, unapologetic, people-ﬁrst policy. We need rent control legislation, not suggestions. We need tax incentives for landlords who rent longterm to Bahamians. We need real investment in public housing, not photo ops and groundbreaking ceremonies with no follow-through. And we need a living wage—one that reﬂects the real cost of living, not a fantasy from a budget spreadsheet. The government has a choice to make.

Serve the people, or serve the market. You cannot do both. The middle class is not vanishing—it is being pushed off a cliff. And if we don’t act, we won’t just lose homes— we’ll lose faith, culture, community, and an entire generation of Bahamians who believed in the promise of this nation. What will we say to them in ten years, when they ask why we didn’t ﬁght harder for their right to stay? It’s time to stop calling this a “housing issue.” This is a national emergency. And silence, at this point, is complicity.

WILLIAM GRAY June 11, 2025

NEW Legend sailing during the Long Island Regatta 2025.

Photo: Aaliyah Knowles

Father rings bell signalling survival in his fight against aggressive form of cancer

transferred six hours later to a cancer hospital,” he recalled. “They were trying to ﬁgure out what was going on, and I found out that I had a rare diagnosis of something called small cell lung cancer.”

The news hit hard. He was just six weeks away from becoming a father.

“I’m in the hospital, and the only thing they’re telling me is that I have cancer, and the only thing I can think about is I haven’t even met my baby girl,” he said. “Like, will I live to see my baby girl?”

“They told me that they have to create a drug for me. They had to make a direct chemotherapy for me.”

Beyond the physical suffering, the ﬁnancial weight was staggering. Medical bills climbed past $120,000.

“But luckily, my family, they always kept me sane through it at all times,” he said. “Not to worry, money will come. Just focus on getting better.”

Health complications and hospital restrictions kept him from seeing his newborn during the most critical phase of treatment — but what he lacked in proximity, he gained in motivation.

“If it’s my spiritual beliefs that allow me to stay sane, if it’s my family showing me love every day regardless of

how I felt or what I thought I was going through, that’s what kept me sane,” he said.

The experience reshaped his understanding of loyalty, too.

“I told the people that were deﬁnitely there — I told them that I appreciate y’all, and I am in your debt because some of the people that you think are in your corner aren’t and the real show themselves during hard times.”

Through months of pain, endless needle sticks, and moments of fear, one thought anchored him: his children.

“I couldn’t give up,” he said. “No matter what. I couldn’t give up. I am so scared of needles, but 16 days in the hospital, I had to get stuck four times a day. I pray to God every time. My kids were the reason I pushed. I couldn’t give up. I have to be in their life.”

Now cancer-free and rebuilding, Mr Woodside is determined to make every day count.

“Every day is taking on a new meaning for me,” he said. “I’m gonna live life and be grateful and live unto God because it’s only through him and within him that I am here.”

Before his diagnosis, he was in his ﬁnal year at the University of The Bahamas, pursuing a degree in education. He plans to return and ﬁnish.

MAN TO PAY FINE FOR CAUSING HAR M TO MOTHER OF HIS CHILD

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

BRIAN Miller Jr, 32, was granted $2,000 bail on Friday after pleading guilty to causing harm to the mother of his child during a domestic dispute earlier this month.

Miller appeared before Magistrate Lennox Coleby, represented by attorney Mark Penn. Prosecutors alleged that around 2.05am on June 1, at a residence on Romer Street where the couple lived, he assaulted Troyann McCardy, his girlfriend and the mother of their 13-month-old child.

Miller allegedly demanded McCardy’s iPhone, house keys, and vehicle keys before poking her in the eye, causing soft tissue damage. The incident was reported to the Fox Hill Police Station, where Miller

admitted to the altercation. In court, Miller claimed McCardy offered to drop the charges if he gave her access to his phone. However, Magistrate Coleby noted that no formal request to withdraw the charges had been ﬁled.

Mr Penn informed the court that Miller, who works in the IT ﬁeld, has three children, the youngest just three months old, and no prior convictions. He asked the court to consider compensation rather than custody, noting Miller had already spent three days in custody and was willing to pay any ﬁnancial penalties within two months.

Magistrate Coleby ordered Miller to pay $1,000 in compensation to McCardy and granted $2,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to July 4.

WOM AN ACCUSED OF UNLAW FUL ENTRY

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

A VISIBLY distressed and dishevelled woman was granted $2,000 bail on Friday after being charged with unlawfully entering a Lincoln Boulevard residence earlier in the week.

Donna Delancey, 45, of Palm Beach Street, appeared emotional in court, with mufﬂed sobs and murmurs echoing from the public gallery. Some onlookers even snickered as she stood before the magistrate, clearly shaken. When asked by the magistrate if she had ever been admitted to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, Delancey denied it and quietly said: “I just need to go home and bathe.” She pleaded not guilty to entering the home of

Marcia Thompson at 78 Lincoln Boulevard on June 11, allegedly with intent to commit a felony. Court documents state that Delancey broke and entered the dwelling in New Providence with criminal intent.

Delancey told the court she had mistakenly approached the wrong house while being chased. She requested more time to prepare her defence and opted for a trial before a magistrate rather than a jury. Her bail was conﬁrmed at $2,000. The conditions were reportedly handwritten on a court-issued note and handed to staff. Her case is set to return to court on July 2. When asked if anyone could assist with her bail, she responded, “I do not have anyone to call.”

SHARVEZ Woodside pictured with his family.

Invisible in China

CHINESE restaurants, grocery stores, and laundromats can be found on nearly every corner of The Bahamas. Many Chinese nationals have migrated here, obtained work permits, and constructed multimillion-dollar businesses. Yet, during my visit to China, most of the people I met didn’t even know my country existed.

In April, I had the opportunity to spend a little over three weeks in Shanghai as part of a training programme for International Young Talents from “Belt and Road Countries”. The name refers to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure strategy – to which The Bahamas has not signed up. When I landed in the vast country of 1.4 billion people, I was hit by a wave of excitement, curiosity, and fear. Eventually, I built up the courage to explore Shanghai on my own. As I walked the streets, my brown skin stood out like ﬁre in snow. My long black braids drew fascinated stares. Many people appeared to have never seen a black person in real life. Some approached me out of curiosity, asking for photos.

The warm sun on my cheek reminded me of home, but the city itself was a different world. Towering modern buildings stretched into the sky, while mopeds zipped past on spotless streets. Not a single can or gum wrapper littered the pavement. Instead of palm trees, vibrant pink and yellow ﬂowers were carefully planted at each corner.

One middle-aged woman who spoke little English smiled and helped me cross the street to a restaurant. She asked, “Where are you from?” I replied, “I’m from The Bahamas.” She looked at me blankly. “Is that in Africa?” she asked.

That moment turned out to be a pattern. As my trip continued, I realised most of the people I encountered had never heard of The Bahamas or the Caribbean at all. It was a hard pill to

Over the years, China’s involvement in The Bahamas’ economy and society has deepened. From the construction of Baha Mar, The Pointe, and the redevelopment of the British Colonial, past governments have signed agreements with Chinese entities for ﬁnancing and support. Many of these projects were built by Chinese workers who came to The Bahamas on work permits.

Another example is the proposed $290m hospital for New Providence. Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville recently said financing is nearly finalised through a 20-year loan from the China Export-Import Bank at a favourable two percent interest rate—the same state-owned lender that financed Baha Mar. Yet in China, I saw no signs of The Bahamas—no Bahamian businesses, no cultural presence. I understand that distance and cost may discourage travel. But it raises the question if the relationship between the two countries is balanced?

While Bahamians visibly feel the presence of Chinese nationals, China remains selective with its immigration and foreign policies. Considering the strong political and economic ties between our two countries, I hoped The Bahamas would be represented somehow.

One day, I was thrilled to ﬁnd a small pizza shop near my hotel. After weeks of dumplings, rice, and soups, I had a chance to eat something familiar. I used my language translator on my phone to explain to the Chinese owner that I wanted a pepperoni pizza.

As I waited for my order, I noticed a string of international ﬂags hanging across the wall, likely representing previous visitors. I scanned them eagerly, but The Bahamas wasn’t there. Another evening, I dined at a fully Italian restaurant with fellow programme participants. If Italian restaurants can exist in China, Bahamian ones can too. It can be argued that

“China is present in Bahamian life... Yet in China, I saw no signs of The Bahamas—no Bahamian businesses, no cultural presence.”

they’ve immigrated to The Bahamas. Many have built successful businesses in The Bahamas, often employing their family members and creating long-term wealth.

In the future, Bahamians might consider building a life in China too—if given the chance.

Some Bahamians have studied at universities in China through scholarship programmes. A few hoped to remain after graduating, but China’s strict immigration rules made that dream impossible.

The Bahamas is a small island developing state. Since independence, we’ve worked to attract investment and diversify our economy. But tourism remains our main industry, limiting job opportunities in other sectors.

Meanwhile, during my lectures in Shanghai, it became clear China is positioning itself as a global leader in innovation and technology. It is promoting self-driving cars, smart homes, robotics, and artiﬁcial intelligence. The tech sector in The Bahamas is slowly growing, but we are nowhere near that scale. With the right partnerships, local engineers and tech enthusiasts could take their skills even further.

China has shown its commitment to working with The Bahamas, and The Bahamas has beneﬁted. Still, successive governments have faced criticism for allowing foreigners to dominate major projects while locals seem to be sidelined.

As I boarded my ﬂight back home to our blue waters, I couldn’t help but reﬂect on how deeply The Bahamas feels China’s presence—through its buildings, businesses, and bilateral deals. Yet halfway across the world, our country is virtually invisible.

Perhaps that’s the challenge for small nations in a globalised world is to engage without losing themselves. Maybe, moving forward, it’s time for Bahamians to not only welcome partnerships—but to push for presence, too.

JADE RUSSELL, Tribune reporter, during her visit to China. Photos: Jade Russell

The role of fathers in protecting children

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

MY church was full yesterday of people celebrating fathers.

There were gifts for the dads who were present, there were hymns such as Faith of our Fathers and with other such references, and the pastor talked of the importance of fathers not just in the home, but in the community.

For those of you who remember my Insight article from this time last year, there were similar things said then.

Father’s Day has become a tradition that perhaps we value more in The Bahamas than elsewhere in a society where there are too many families without a father ﬁgure present. The scale of the distress of our society is huge. So

“Usually, lack of child support and lack of child involvement, go handin-hand. This is another contributing factor to juvenile delinquency. Fathers, you play a key role in your child’s development. Therefore, I implore you to take your responsibilities seriously.”

- Myles Laroda, Social Services Minister

happening before and is getting worse.

Mothers using their daughters to make money through transactional sex. Using their own children as bartering tools, trading sex for money.

problem this is, or indeed how he knows that the number of cases are on the rise.

has not done what it promised in that regard before it comes and shakes the begging bowl their way again.

But at the start, I did say the word community – and that is important.

huge in fact that just last week the Minister of Social Services, Myles Laroda, got up in the House of Assembly and talked openly about a rise in cases of mothers prostituting their daughters – some as young as 14. How appalling is that?

And note the word I use is appalling, not that it is shocking. Because we know that there is an undercurrent in our society on the edge of poverty where children are victimised and parents turn a blind eye, where children are forced to make money that is taken off them by parents, where children do not have the opportunity to be just that, children, with the chance to learn and grow and discover their own horizons.

Not just a case. A single case. A shocking, outrageous case. But a rise in cases. As in this is something that has been

Look at the number of court cases we see where children, often underage, are victims of sexual assaults and rapes.

Then look again at the courts and see the number of cases where those accused of all kinds of crimes, including murders, are charged, with their names withheld because they are too young to be identiﬁed. Old enough to be killers, too young to be named.

There is often a link traced between adult criminals and childhood abuse – and is there really any surprise that those who have had to ﬁght to survive even within their own family would face greater challenges than others in dealing with society at large?

Mr Laroda talked in the House of how: “Lives are being destroyed before they begin to live them. While the age of consent is 16, using a minor for the sexual gratiﬁcation of an adult constitutes prostitution and rape, which are criminal offences and should be reported to the police.”

There were holes in his presentation. There was no evidence provided – so we do not know how big a

Further to that, there was no real plan put forward for how to deal with it, other than asking people to contact the police or the ministry.

The problem was laid on the table for all to see, only for everyone to stand around and tut and say how terrible it is without any solution being proposed.

Mr Laroda did tip a nod towards the role of fathers, saying: “Usually, lack of child support and lack of child involvement, go handin-hand. This is another contributing factor to juvenile delinquency. Fathers, you play a key role in your child’s development. Therefore, I implore you to take your responsibilities seriously.”

He also did not provide any update on what is going on with the Protection Against Violence Bill. That is the watered-down version of the Gender Violence Bill – but even after watering it down, there is still no sign over its implementation. It’s been a year. No commission yet to support victims, not much in the way of updates.

Mr Laroda also pointed out the shortage of shelter for victims of violence, while conspicuously not talking about the shelter the government was supposed to have opened by now. There was the Domestic Violence Unit, with some temporary shelter space. Is that it? It is hard to give too much credence to the government’s shock and horror at a situation that it resolutely fails to do anything about.

Mr Laroda did call on corporate Bahamas and faith organisations to help out with such shelters –those organisations are probably entitled to point at the taxes they pay and ask why the government

As a community, we should indeed act, to create safe spaces where we can for those who need them.

As a community, we should watch out for those who are falling between the cracks, for those who are made victims, especially our children, who deserve a chance at life without being subject to violence, sexual abuse and fear.

As a community, we see all too often people living in poverty and do not do enough to ﬁnd ways to elevate them. We look to our own pockets too often rather than seeing what the content of those pockets can do to help others.

And as a community, we rely too often on government to do what we can do ourselves.

Last year, I wrote:

“Father’s Day is important – if we choose to make it so. It is a celebration of those who are doing the right thing, and a reminder of what we still need to do.

“But ﬁrst of all, we do have to look at ourselves. At who we are. At what we do. At what we can do better.

“We cannot castigate a single mother while absolving a cheating father. We cannot dismiss a broken family, rather we should reach out to try to help.

“There are many who need that help. That help can be ﬁnancial, certainly, but it can start by just being supportive.”

Those words, I think, are still true. Our progress towards realising them is another matter.

If we are to truly honour our commitment as fathers, we must stand up and protect our nation’s children. That we should, and must, do.

Antigua and Barbuda hosts OAS at crucial juncture

THE 55th Regular

Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) will be held in one of its smallest member states at a time of global political and economic uncertainty. That uncertainty is reflected across the Americas and within the OAS itself.

In this regard, the General Assembly in Antigua and Barbuda, from June 25 to 27, takes on special significance: it must provide the atmosphere and leadership to reinforce the OAS as a relevant instrument for advancing both individual and collective interests in the hemisphere.

Adding to the importance of this session is the first official appearance of the organisation’s new Secretary-General, Albert Ramdin, who assumed office for a five-year term on May 26. He is the first national from the CARICOM group elected to this top post. For 40 years, CARICOM nationals held only the Assistant Secretary-General role, while Latin American countries dominated the leadership. His unanimous election, following a contest with Paraguay’s Foreign Minister, reflects confidence in CARICOM’s contributions within the OAS. CARICOM representatives have worked diligently in OAS Councils, over many years, to earn this respect.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, as host and Chair of the Assembly, is acutely conscious of its role in providing an environment and guidance suited to current challenges. This Assembly takes place amid overlapping political, economic, social, security, and environmental pressures, and against a backdrop of longstanding institutional strains within the OAS. Those strains include chronic budget shortfalls, staffing gaps, and an overload of unfunded mandates, alongside the need to match aspirations with operational realities. Building inclusivity amid tensions in the Americas Trade and migration tensions among the organisation’s members, particularly Canada, Mexico, and the United States, remain public and ongoing. Ideological and other differences between Latin American states have surfaced in the OAS during elections for officeholders, such as the Assistant Secretary-General (now Colombia’s Laura Gil) and the Commissioners of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to be chosen at this Assembly. Amid these tensions, Antigua and Barbuda has advanced the theme of the 55th General Assembly: “Building resilient and inclusive economies in the Americas.” This theme captures pressing concerns across the region, emphasising resilience—strengthening economies to withstand external shocks, whether global market disruptions, climate events, or public health emergencies—and inclusivity, allowing each member and observer state, large or small, to articulate its priorities within a collective framework. It reaffirms that improving the well-being of every citizen in the Americas is a shared goal, and that collaboration, mutual respect, and solidarity are essential. It is in that spirit that Antigua and

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

Barbuda—whose Foreign Minister, E Paul Chet Greene, is expected to be elected Chair—proposes to guide the Assembly.

Institutional context: Chronic strains and mandate overload

Even with political will, progress faces an uphill battle due to inadequate funding. For years, the OAS Secretariat has contended with a persistent gap between assessed contributions and the costs of its core programs. Overreliance on unpredictable voluntary contributions, including support from Observer states, further exposes key programs to abrupt suspensions. As delegates prepare to debate mechanisms for mandate management and to consider the organisation’s budget and funding sources, matching ambitions to resources remains vital for the OAS’s effectiveness and credibility.

Governance and humanitarian pressures

Democratic practices across member states show signs of strain. For example, a June 2025 assassination attempt on Miguel Uribe, a presidential candidate in Colombia, underscores risks to electoral integrity and citizen confidence. However, the most acute emergency grips Haiti, where armed groups now control the majority of Port-au-Prince, blocking basic state functions, precipitating a humanitarian catastrophe, and preventing the restoration of democratic institutions and the election of a representative government. At the General Assembly, it is incumbent upon the OAS and its member states, within the framework of the OAS Charter and their respective means, to continue demonstrating solidarity with the people of Haiti.

Discussions in the margins

As important as the formal agenda is, equally

vital are the informal discussions among high representatives of member and Observer states that will take place outside public sessions. These exchanges on global economic and political realities often shape understanding and trust, informing ofﬁcial deliberations. And the international scene is not encouraging.

Global growth projections for 2025 indicate subdued expansion, with the United Nations forecasting approximately 2.4 percent growth worldwide. Regional estimates indicate growth near 2.5 percent in South America, about one percent in Central America and Mexico, and under 2 percent in the Caribbean for 2025. Elevated debt burdens limit ﬁscal space for social investments. Inﬂationary pressures have resurfaced amid trade tensions. US tariffs, imposed on all countries last April, have raised costs in hemispheric supply chains, intensifying cost-of-living strains even where measures have been paused.

Concurrent reductions in US funding—for example, cuts affecting UN organisations, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), and the OAS—impact health programmes and emergency-response capacity, with knock-on effects on workforce productivity in these organisations and social welfare conditions in Latin American and Caribbean countries. These economic and social pressures underscore why the Assembly’s consideration of ﬁnancing the OAS’s Program Budget for 2026 mirrors the broader ﬁscal constraints faced by member governments. The discussion will not be procedural; it will be vital.

Spillover effects of conficts

The Russian war against Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, and the high level of civilian deaths in both theatres have spilled over into the concerns of OAS member states as the prospect

of global economic and political instability grows. Though not on the formal agenda of the Assembly, delegates will hardly be able to avoid informal discussion of these issues in their private conversations.

Conclusion: Seizing a watershed moment for the OAS

Therefore, the General Assembly in Antigua presents an opportunity for member states to reclaim the relevance of the OAS and to deliver results that citizens truly value. Member States face a clear choice: allow another Assembly to close amid familiar frustrations, or seize this moment with pragmatic actions to foster resilient, inclusive economies across the

Americas for the beneﬁt of all.

The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US. He is also the Dean of the Corps of Ambassadors accredited to the Organization of American States. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com.

A PARENT, carrying his child after picking him up from school, runs past police carrying out an operation against gangs in the Bel-Air area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 3, 2023.

Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP

BTVI gains key insights at LA CASE conference

AN alignment of strategic educational advancements is brewing at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). With accreditation imminent, a bold rebrand on the horizon and the institution’s 77th anniversary in 2026, BTVI is at the centre of a major convergence in which marketing and branding play an important role.

In preparation for the journey ahead, one of the institution’s own has returned from the forefront of global innovation in higher education marketing to share key insights. BTVI’s marketing coordinator, Shacqeel Coleby, recently attended the prestigious Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Annual Conference for Marketing and Branding Professionals in Los Angeles, representing not just the institution, but The Bahamas.

Coleby was one of 25 recipients of the 2025 Virginia Carter

GAIN AN EDGE

A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Smith Scholarship, a CASE scholarship awarded based on career accomplishments, an institutional letter of support and demonstrated excellence in educational advancement. This scholarship, along with support from BTVI, enabled his participation in the conference.

Held June 4-6, the event gathered thought leaders and changemakers from the education sector. For Mr Coleby, it was more than professional development; it was a deep dive into institutional storytelling and strategic branding.

“The conference was packed with relevant content. Many sessions ran concurrently, so I selected those aligned with BTVI’s

strategic goals,” explained Mr Coleby.

He attended over ten transformative sessions, with three standing out.

‘Comm-Chella - Inspiring internal brand fluency and adoption’, is a case study on California State Polytechnic University Pomona (CalPoly), exploring the institution’s internal brand rollout which culminated in a campus party dubbed ‘Comm-Chella’.

“CalPoly’s creative campaign engaged students, faculty, alumni and even skeptics from the very beginning, turning brand adoption into brand advocacy,” Mr Coleby noted, inspired by ideas for BTVI’s rebrand.

‘Milestones That Shine: Marketing Strategies for Memorable Anniversaries’ offered fresh ideas as BTVI prepares to mark its 77th year in 2026.

‘From the Front Lines’ was a candid panel on crisis communication, emphasising trust, alignment and agility.

“This was especially

relevant as we are currently developing our crisis communications policy in tandem with BTVI’s dual accreditation process with the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and NACEOB,” said Mr Coleby.

“Surprisingly, the best part wasn’t the sessions but connecting with peers who understand the nuanced challenges of education marketing,” he added. “These insights will shape how we communicate BTVI’s vision, values and the transformative power of technical education in The Bahamas.”

Mr Coleby’s participation marks a significant step in BTVI’s commitment to global standards of excellence in marketing and branding as it enters its 77th year with a bold rebrand ahead and international accreditation within reach.

“Gain An Edge” is a collaboration of Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

BTVI’S MARKETING COORDINATOR, SHACQEEL COLEBY.

Domestic work is care work

Settling the historical debt to millions of women domestic workers

By ANA VIRGINIA MOREIRA GOMES Regional Director of the ILO for Latin America and the Caribbean

EVERY June 16, on International Domestic Workers Day, we remember a fundamental truth: domestic work is care work.

This is afﬁrmed in the Resolution concerning decent work and the care economy adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 2024. Care is essential for the functioning of our societies, yet it has historically been invisible and unprotected. We all give and receive care throughout our lives. That is why it is essential for care, including domestic work, to be at the heart of public policies.

This year marks the 14th anniversary of the adoption of ILO Convention No. 189, which recognises the fundamental rights of domestic workers. This instrument was a turning point in the pursuit of decent work in this sector.

Latin America and the Caribbean has led in ratifying this Convention, with signiﬁcant legislative advances in at least eight countries that have reformed or enacted speciﬁc laws to combat discrimination against domestic workers. In other cases, labour standards have been adapted, and strategic litigation, such as in Mexico and El Salvador, has helped extend rights coverage.

Yet a wide gap remains between legal frameworks and the lived realities of domestic workers. Today, paid domestic work continues to be marked by great inequalities. In our region, 91 percent of domestic workers are women. Of these, 72 percent are in informal employment, limiting their access to social security, legal protection and basic working conditions. Moreover, over 35 percent are migrants facing dual vulnerabilities linked to their employment situation and their migration status.

Working conditions remain precarious. In many countries of the region, informality rates in domestic work exceed 75 percent. Many workers earn below the legal minimum wage, and a signiﬁcant portion only earn the minimum.

In addition, child domestic labour remains one of the most invisible and normalised forms of child labour in Latin America

and the Caribbean. Thousands of girls are forced to leave school to undertake unpaid care responsibilities, often without safety nets or adequate institutional support.

Excessive work hours are also common. Many domestic workers work up to 60 hours per week, while others are underemployed, working fewer than 20 hours, hindering their access to contributory beneﬁts. They also face multiple risks, including violence and harassment.

In 2024, employment in paid domestic work remained below pre-pandemic levels. Average working hours have also decreased in many cases due to the increase in part-time contracts. This reduction represents an additional obstacle to formalisation and social protection.

This situation is even more concerning in the context of the care crisis in our region. With rapid population ageing projected to reach 18.9 percent of people aged over 65 years or older by 2050, demand for care will surge. This burden continues to fall disproportionately on women, both at home and in the workplace.

The ILO has proposed a concrete roadmap: “Making domestic work decent work: Investing in care”. This strategy is based on ﬁve fundamental pillars: formalization; equal rights with other wage workers; valuing domestic work; strengthening social dialogue; and promoting occupational health and safety policies adapted to this sector. It is already being implemented in countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico, and we hope more countries will soon join this commitment to change.

Ensuring decent work for domestic workers is not only a matter of social justice, but it is a development strategy. Caring for caregivers is essential to building more inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies.

As the late Luiza Batista, President of the National Council of Domestic Workers of Brazil, said: “My dream is reclaim labour rights, for domestic workers to be respected and valued … to have policies that guarantee dignity. Dreaming doesn’t cost anything, and I believe that one day this dream can become reality.”

GB residents worry over void left by Silver Airways collapse

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama resi-

dents hope the void left by Silver Airways after its collapse will soon be filled - amid fears of the economic impact on the island.

The airline, which cancelled all flights on June 11 after filing bankruptcy in January, provided

services to five destinations in The Bahamas, including Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Bimini, Abaco, and Exuma, from Fort Lauderdale.

Dillon Knowles, president of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, said any decline in airlift to Freeport is a concern.

“I really don’t know how much traffic that particular route provided, but any reduction

in air services for Grand Bahama is a problem.”

Mr Knowles believes that it would be advantageous if Bahamasair or Western Air could step up and fill the void.

“I don’t know how technically possible that is, whether they have the number of aircrafts needed to be able to fill that service or void, but, obviously, it is a critical route for us as we already

have shortage of available seats coming to Grand Bahama.”

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation, announced in the House of Assembly that Bahamasair will step in and fill the gap on June 23, with increased capacity on affected routes.

Robert Grant said it is good that the national flag carrier will be stepping in to save the route.

“Tourism is our number one industry, and it is a good thing we have Bahamasair whenever there is a fallout, and Bahamasair being a backup is just ideal.

“It will save the route, and more passengers should be coming to Grand Bahama. We need a shot in the arm, and we need those tourists on the island to stimulate the economy.”

Don Martin said Silver operated to five islands, which will put a huge demand on Bahamasair’s fleet.

“If they can actually fill it and they have airlift and equipment, that is fine. But, I think it is just going to be a challenge for them at this time,” Mr Martin said.

“You need to have planes flying out of Fort Lauderdale, and not routed through New Providence, to go to a Family Island. So you got to start flying from Fort Lauderdale to five destinations in The Bahamas. I think that is a little challenging but I get it, so that’s fine. Let’s see if they can do it,” he said.

“So, now that means you are going to require more aircrafts and you need more airlifts from Fort Lauderdale to these islands. So, I am not sure how they are going to be able to do that, but you know it is a great loss to all of us, especially Eleuthera, Abaco, and some other islands.”

Minnis sla M s Davis a DM inistration’s lack of clarity over $120 M GranD l ucayan sale

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has criticised the government’s handling of the $120m Grand Lucayan Resort sale, calling on Prime Minister Philip Davis to provide clarity.

Speaking during the 2025/2026 Budget Debate, Dr Minnis expressed disappointment that the prime minister did not provide more details about the Grand Lucayan deal in his budget communication and opening remarks. While he acknowledged the country’s hope for the project, he emphasised that many important questions remain unanswered.

“When will the company pay the government the $120m for the sale of the property?” Dr Minnis asked. “We have been unable to get a straight answer on this. It is odd that the deal and sale price were announced, yet no one wants to say when the money will be paid.”

He also questioned whether the developers have secured ﬁnancing to begin the ﬁrst phase of the redevelopment, calling this a “critical question because if they don’t, then nothing is starting any time soon”.

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure, Dr Minnis stressed, “When will the Grand Bahama airport be built? The PLP keeps promising an airport, but nothing is happening. The airport is key for these developers. They need a proper, modern airport to be able to bring in the

visitors to patronise the property. The resort cannot succeed without a new airport.”

He acknowledged the desire of Bahamians to support the government and developers, saying, “Bahamians want to see all seven components of this resort built to maximise the economic opportunity for Grand Bahama.” However, he warned that clarity is needed to build public conﬁdence.

Dr Minnis recalled the House of the property’s troubled history, recalling that in 2020 his administration had announced a redevelopment deal with Royal Caribbean and ITM, including a new cruise port, which was cancelled after the PLP won the 2021 general election. He also cited a later deal with Electra America Hospitality Ltd. announced in 2022 for $100m and a $300m redevelopment, which subsequently collapsed.

“There is reason to be skeptical about the Grand Lucayan based on its recent history,” Dr Minnis said. “I call on the prime minister to provide all details on this deal. He should not just expect Bahamians to assume that all will go well.”

Prime Minister Davis defended the government’s handling of the sale during his response in the House. He had clariﬁed that the resort is owned by Lucayan Renewal Holdings Ltd, a government-owned company, and that proceeds from the sale would be received by that entity before any

funds are transferred to the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas. The prime minister explained that legal fees, closing costs, and other expenses would be deducted before disbursements.

“This is not unusual and has been the standard practice of the Hotel Corporation through multiple administrations,” Mr Davis said, expressing surprise that the Opposition seemed unaware of this process, given that it was the previous government that purchased the hotel and incorporated Lucayan Holdings.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard has also reiterated calls for transparency, acknowledging the signiﬁcance of the deal for Grand Bahama’s economy but emphasising that Bahamians deserve detailed information.

The Davis administration announced the sale in May to Ancient Waters Bahamas Ltd, a subsidiary of US-based Concord Wilshire Capital, which plans to invest $827m into redeveloping the Grand Lucayan property and the adjacent 160-acre Reef Golf Course.

The project includes new hotels, timeshare units, a cruise port, casino, mega-yacht marina, and redesigned golf course. Construction is expected to start within 90 days of permit approval, creating over 1,300 construction jobs and nearly 1,800 permanent positions once complete. The government has noted that the sale will relieve it of a $1.5m monthly carrying cost.

A SILVER Airways regional prop plane flies overhead.

Photo: AP

Bahamas Urban Youth Development Centre says calls for govt support ‘unanswered’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AS reports emerge of mothers prostituting their daughters to make ends meet, the Bahamas Urban Youth Development Centre (BUYDC), an organisation dedicated to ﬁghting child exploitation for over a decade, is demanding to know why its calls for government support have gone

unanswered. “While we welcome the public recognition of this crisis, we must emphasise that this is not a new phenomenon — it is a long-standing and systemic issue that organisations like BUYDC have been ﬁghting for over a decade,” the organisation said in a press release.

Founded in 2010 by youth advocate Prodesta Moore, BUYDC reportedly offered

trauma-informed care, mentorship, housing referrals, and life-skills training for vulnerable youth, especially girls pushed into transactional sex through poverty or coercion.

The group said despite its record, it has never received ﬁnancial support from the government. “Our ofﬁce has been closed since 2022 due to lack of funding, even though the demand for our services

Govt allocates $2.5m under National Endowment to beneﬁt local sporting leagues development

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE government has allocated $2.5m under the National Endowment for Sports in the 2025/2026 budget, aimed at supporting federations, local sporting events, coaching certiﬁcation, and long-term athlete development.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg announced the funding during his Budget Communication, noting that the endowment will include tiered annual grants ranging from $10,000 to $80,000, alongside meritbased special grants starting at 10 percent.

He also conﬁrmed a 40 percent increase in funding to the National Sports Authority (NSA)– an additional $1m to support the maintenance of key national sports facilities.

“For far too long, the facilities under the National Sports Authority have suffered from neglect,” Mr Bowleg said.

“This government is changing that.”

The funding will allow the NSA to hire skilled personnel and maintain venues such as the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium, Betty Kelly Kenning Aquatic Centre, and Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, among others.

He outlined a revamped National Sports Policy, which will use a fourtier system to classify sports by competitiveness, structure, and impact, creating clearer development pathways.

To expand sports development beyond New Providence and Grand Bahama, the government is launching a National Reach Initiative (NRI).

Federations will be required to identify three Family Islands where their sport is underrepresented and begin grassroots programmes, including coaching clinics and local club formation. The initiative is backed

by a significant increase in the Sports Facilities Maintenance budget, supporting upgrades across the Family Islands, he said. In Grand Bahama, Mr Bowleg highlighted renewed efforts to develop an 88-acre sports complex gifted to the government in 2000 by the Grand Bahama Port Authority. After years of inaction, the conveyance has now been signed and development is underway. Space for fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball fields will be included, while current activity at the site already includes flag football, soccer, and community events. Work is also progressing on a world-class swimming complex in Grand Bahama. Preliminary architectural drawings are complete, the topographical study has been finalised, and geotechnical groundwork is underway.

“Once this report is in hand, we will move forward with inviting bids for the construction of the pool,” Mr Bowleg said.

continues daily,” the statement said. The organisation reports frequent calls from young women “sleeping on beaches, in cars, or in unsafe situations, pleading for help.”

BUYDC previously secured funding from international sources such as the Templeton Religion Trust, receiving a $25,000 grant in 2021 to empower young female entrepreneurs and expand

community programmes. It is a registered nonproﬁt and grant-eligible NGO. Still, Ms Moore and her team argue that the government’s failure to invest domestically has left critical gaps in protection and services.

“If the government is truly serious about addressing this crisis, they must put resources behind their words,” the BUYDC said, urging immediate collaboration with the Ministries

of Social Services, National Security, Education, and Youth, along with the Ofﬁce of the Prime Minister. Minister of Social Services Myles LaRoda recently reported a surge in cases of commercial sexual exploitation of minors.

“This is a national emergency, and it cannot be solved through talk alone,” the nonproﬁt said. “BUYDC is ready. But we cannot do it alone.”

MINISTER OF YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE MARIO BOWLEG

Cooper says FNM is ‘eager for a beatdown’ dismissing suggestions of early election

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporters jrussell@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper, seemingly dismissing speculation of an early election, said the Free National Movement (FNM) appears “eager for a beat down”.

“Nearly four years ago, the Bahamian people gave us a mandate to move this country forward, and since then, we haven’t missed a beat, not to say that there haven’t been missteps, not to say that there isn’t more to do, but we have stayed the course,” Mr Cooper said during his Budget Contribution in the House of Assembly.

“But we do have at least another year left, notwithstanding the politricksters opposite standing firm in their delusion about an early election. I’ve never seen a crew so eager for a beat down.”

FNM leader Michael Pintard has claimed — without evidence — that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is planning to call an early election, possibly as soon as September.

Last month, amid speculation about an early poll, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis did not rule it out but stressed such a move was not

imminent. He told reporters the date “is here in my heart” and would be announced at the appropriate time. When asked, he neither confirmed nor denied any early election.

Mr Davis emphasised that his administration still has significant work to complete before sending voters to the polls. “I’m hearing the talk of early election,” Mr Davis said last month, “but we have a lot of work to do, and we are executing our work, and I have still a number of things to get started before I call an election and when they get started and on the way, then you can say election is imminent but it’s not imminent now.”

Earlier this month, Mr Davis urged PLP supporters to prepare for the next general election, encouraging them to rally their family and friends. He made the call during a celebratory event at Clifford Park honouring his birthday, where dozens of PLP supporters gathered after attending the annual Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day march.

He said announcements would soon be made regarding voter registration and other key steps leading up to the election. The next general election is not constitutionally due until October 2026.

A YOUTH award cer-

emony was held last week in Bimini. The 2025 Bishop Neil C Ellis Award of Excellence was held on June 11 at Resorts World International, with Bishop Ellis in attendance with his wife, Patrice Ellis, and son, Johnathon Ellis.

Students from the Bimini Primary School and Gateway Christian Primary School spoke about Bimini’s future. Renaj Dorsette was named second-place ﬁnalist, while Javari Davis emerged as the 2025 recipient of the Award of Excellence—earning induction into the Neil C Ellis Circle of Excellence. This

serves as a mentorship and scholarship initiative for Biminites. In 1972, Bishop Ellis, then a sixth grader, delivered a three-minute welcome speech—penned by a Bimini Primary School teacher—for then-Prime Minister Lynden Pindling. Mr Pindling then personally funded a six-year scholarship for Ellis. A panel of judges included Senator Randy Rolle, Under Secretary Gaynell Rolle, Tiffany Rolle-Brown, and Distinguished Toastmaster and Chief Judge Andrew Albury. The event was moderated by Dr Cherry Ferguson, logistics

coordinator for the Award of Excellence, with the address delivered by Leyvon A Miller. The Neil C Ellis Circle of Excellence provides each annual inductee with a six-year scholarship to Gateway Christian Academy—alma mater of NBA prospect VJ Edgecombe— as well as a cash prize, BTC device and gift card, the Ofﬁcial Circle of Excellence Stole, inductee’s trophy, and full membership into the Circle.

Bishop Ellis said:

“Together, we are shaping tomorrow’s leaders and achieving even greater milestones for Bimini’s bright future.”

DEPUTY PRIM

Over 230 are reported dead as Israel and Iran trade strikes for third day

DUBAI Associated Press

I SRAEL and Iran traded more missile attacks S unday despite calls for a halt to the fighting, with neither country backing down as their conflict raged for a third day.

Iran said Israel struck its oil refineries, killed the intelligence chief of its paramilitary R evolutionary Guard and two other generals and hit population centres in intensive aerial attacks that raised the death toll in the country since Israel launched its major campaign Friday to 224 people. Health authorities also reported that 1,277 were wounded, without distinguishing between military officials and civilians.

Israel, which has aimed its missiles at Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program and military leadership, said Iran has fired over 270 missiles since Friday, 22 of which slipped through the country’s sophisticated multi-tiered air defences and caused havoc in residential suburbs, killing 14 people and wounding 390 others.

In an indication of how far Israel was seemingly prepared to go, a U S official told The A ssociated Press that President Donald Trump nixed an Israeli plan to kill Iran’s S upreme L eader Ayatollah A li Khamenei, who has the final say on all major policies, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls the powerful R evolutionary Guard. Israel, the sole though undeclared nucleararmed state in the Middle E ast, has said this attack — its most powerful ever against Iran — was to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

The latest round of talks between the U S and Iran on the future of Tehran’s nuclear program had been scheduled S unday in Oman but were cancelled after Israel’s attack.

Iran turns metro stations, mosques into bomb shelters

Claiming to operate almost freely in the skies over Iran, Israel said its attacks S unday hit Iran’s Defense Ministry, missile launch sites and factories producing air Defense components. Iran also acknowledged

Israel had killed more of its top generals, including the R evolutionary Guard intelligence chief, Gen. Mohammad Kazemi.

But Israeli strikes have also extended beyond Iranian military installations to hit government buildings including the Foreign Ministry and several energy facilities, Iranian authorities said, most recently sparking fires S unday at the S hahran oil depot north of Tehran and a fuel tank south of the city. The strikes raised the prospect of a broader assault on Iran’s heavily sanctioned energy industry that is vital to the global economy and markets.

Deputy Foreign Minister S aeed Khatibzadeh and other Iranian diplomats shared photos of the Foreign Ministry’s offices and library laid to waste by shrapnel.

Iran’s state TV broadcast footage of men and women carrying dustcovered and bloodied children from the ruins of residential buildings hit by Israeli missiles in downtown Tehran. The spokesperson for the Iranian Health Ministry, Hossein Kermanpour, said 90% of the 224 people killed by S unday were civilians.

The Washington-based group Human R ights A ctivists reported a far higher death toll in Iran from Israeli strikes, saying the attacks have killed at least 406 people and wounded another 654. In recent crises, Iran routinely has undercounted casualties, including in the 2022 mass demonstrations over mandatory hijab laws after the death of Mahsa A mini. S tate TV reported that metro stations and mosques would be made available as bomb shelters beginning S unday night. Tehran residents told of long lines at gas stations and cars backed up for hours as families fled the city.

Traffic police closed a number of roads outside the city to control congestion. E nergy officials on state TV sought to reassure the jittery public there was no gasoline shortage despite the long lines.

Iranian state-linked media acknowledged explosions and fires stemming from an attack

on an Iranian refueling aircraft in Mashhad deep in the country’s northeast. Israel described the attack on Mashhad as the farthest strike it has carried out in Iranian territory.

Video obtained and verified by the A P showed smoke rising from the city.

The death toll rises in Israel A ir raid sirens sounded across Jerusalem and major Israeli cities, sending Israelis scrambling to bomb shelters in the seaside metropolis of Tel Aviv and the northern port city of Haifa.

The Israeli military reported that almost two dozen Iranian missiles had slipped through the vaunted Iron Dome aerial Defense system and struck residential areas.

E arly S unday, Israel’s Magen David A dom emergency service reported that at least six people, including a 10-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, were killed when a missile smashed into a high-rise apartment in Bat Yam, a coastal city south of Tel Aviv.

Daniel Hadad, a local police commander, said 180 people were wounded and seven missing in Bat Yam. R esidents appeared

dazed, staggering through the rubble of their homes to retrieve personal belongings while rescuers sifted through twisted metal and shattered glass in their search for more bodies.

A nother four people, including a 13-yearold, were killed and 24 wounded when a missile struck a building in the A rab town of Tamra in northern Israel, emergency authorities said, while a strike on the central city of R ehovot wounded 42.

The Weizmann Institute of S cience, a center for military and other research in R ehovot, reported “a number of hits to buildings on the campus” and said no one was harmed.

A n oil refinery was damaged in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, the firm operating it said. Israel’s main international airport and airspace was closed for a third day.

Iranian Foreign Minister A bbas A raghchi said if Israeli strikes on Iran stop, then “our responses will also stop.”

Netanyahu says conflict could result in regime change in Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has brushed off urgent calls by world leaders to de-escalate.

In an interview with Fox News on S unday, he said regime change in Iran “could certainly be the result” of the conflict. He also claimed, without giving evidence, that Israeli intelligence indicated Iran intended to give nuclear weapons to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Iran has always said its nuclear program was peaceful, and the U S and others have assessed that it has not pursued a nuclear weapon since 2003.

But Iran has enriched ever-larger stockpiles of uranium to near weapons-grade levels in recent years and was believed to have the capacity to develop multiple weapons within months if it chose to do so.

A senior U S official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive nuclear talks, said Washington remained committed to the negotiations and hoped the Iranians would return to the table.

The region is already on edge as Israel seeks to annihilate the Hamas militant group, an Iranian ally, in the Gaza S trip, where war still rages after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.

‘Many months’ to repair nuclear facilities

In Iran, satellite photos analysed by A P show extensive damage at Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz. The images shot S aturday by Planet L abs PBC show multiple buildings damaged or destroyed. The structures hit include buildings identified by experts as supplying power to the facility.

UN nuclear chief R afael Grossi told the S ecurity Council that the above-ground section of the Natanz facility was destroyed. The main centrifuge facility underground did not appear to be hit, but the loss of power could have damaged infrastructure there, he said.

Israel also struck a nuclear research facility in Isfahan. The International A tomic E nergy A gency, the UN nuclear watchdog, said four “critical buildings” were damaged, including an uranium-conversion facility. The I AEA said there was no sign of increased radiation at Natanz or Isfahan. A n Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity S unday in line with official procedures, said it would take “many months, maybe more” to restore the two sites.

ISRAELI security forces inspect a destroyed building that was hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, Israel, yesterday.

Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP

HUGE smoke rises up from an oil facility facility after it appeared to have been hit by an Israeli strike Saturday, in southern Tehran, Iran, yesterday. Photo: AP

St Andrew’s Graduation

STUDENTS at St Andrew’s celebrated their graduation on June 13 - with an out of this world guest of honour. The ﬁrst Bahamian astronaut, Aisha Bowe, below right, gave a speech at the ceremony to encourage graduates and show there really are no limits. Earlier this year, she became the ﬁrst Bahamian to cross the internationally recognised line into space.

Photos: Nikia Charlton