The Tribune Hurricane Supplement
FUEL CHARGE CUT FOR SUMMER
Govt announces
initiative
to reduce electricity costs during year’s hot months
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Power and Light (BPL) customers will see reduced fuel charge rates starting in July, under a new summer initiative announced yesterday by the Davis administration to ease the burden on consumers amid record-high temperatures, rising electricity demand, and global
fuel price volatility. The government announced the Summer Energy Rebate Programme in a press release. The move comes as Bahamians grapple with intense summer heat, a time when energy usage typically spikes.
Beginning with the July billing cycle, residential customers will benefit from
DOCTORS IN NHI PROGRAMME IMPACTED BY PAYMENT DELAYS
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
THE National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has yet to issue a definitive payment schedule for outstanding balances owed to healthcare providers for May, and potentially
June, raising alarms among clinics that rely on timely reimbursements to operate. In a letter addressed to participating general practitioners and clinics, the NHIA assured providers it would keep lines of communication open but Mother
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
A MOTHER who lost one of her children and saw her other children severely burned in a house fire on June 16 received a $15,000 donation from the Baha Mar Resort Foundation as part of its annual charitable disbursements.
Rolle Rebukes ‘pRedatoRy lending institutions’
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
CONSUMER Protection Commission (CPC) chairman Senator Randy Rolle issued a strong rebuke in the Senate yesterday against what he called “predatory lending institutions” offering unsecured consumer loans at “absurd and ridiculous rates”.
Senator Rolle alleged that some lending
companies are charging Bahamians up to 20 percent in interest, taking advantage of vulnerable people in desperate need of credit. He shared an anecdote about a friend who was seeking new clients for unsecured loans and cautioned Bahamians to be wary of such enticing yet risky offers.
By LEANDRA ROLLE
A SUPREME Court judge has temporarily denied a request by Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) executives to remove president Muriel Lightbourn from office, while also reinstating suspended members pending the outcome of the case. Justice Camille Darville-Gomez delivered the ruling after BNU executives Shavonne Brennen, Shenique Cox, Maria Smith, Judy Johnson and Alicia Farquharson filed an interim injunction seeking to block Ms Lightbourn from continuing in the post. The ruling comes amid months of internal unrest
CPC chairman Randy Rolle.
A GROUP photo during a ceremony where the Baha Mar Resort Foundation donated funds to several charities yesterday.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Popular Nassau eatery taking their heritage-rich foods international
A POPULAR Nassaubased eatery is taking its bold Bahamian flavours internationally.
Gran Bahama, the new sister brand of The New Duff, officially launches in Canada today during a special media presentation hosted by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation at Hotel X in Toronto.
The brand, founded by Bahamian entrepreneur Kendrick Delaney, introduces Caribbean-rooted comfort food to a broader audience through modern, delivery-friendly formats.
The menu includes inventive offerings like guava bao sandwiches, fusion
cinnamon rolls, and spiced breads with tropical fillings — all inspired by the iconic Bahamian dessert duff.
Gran Bahama builds on the success of The New Duff, which is known for reintroducing duff to both local and international markets. The expansion reflects Mr Delaney’s mission to share the soulful, heritagerich foods of the Caribbean with global diners.
Gran Bahama will begin operations in Toronto through delivery services, direct mail orders, and appearances at cultural festivals. Catering services for weddings, corporate functions, and private events are also planned.
Fuel charge cut for summer
reduced fuel charge rates of 17.4 cents and 21.4 cents per kilowatt hour, down from the current rates of 18.5 cents and 22.5 cents, respectively.
Officials said the rebate is intended to help offset higher electricity costs driven by increased summer demand and a temporary reliance on diesel, a more expensive fuel, to maintain stable power supply.
“Recognising the importance of regulatory oversight,” the statement said, “the government has directed BPL to begin immediate engagement with the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) to ensure all aspects of the rebate and broader energy strategy meet regulatory standards and serve the public interest.”
“The government is also taking a long-term view to address structural energy challenges. As part of its energy reform plan, BPL intends to transition to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a primary fuel source by the fourth quarter of this year, which is expected to significantly reduce fuel costs, improve reliability, and stabilise pricing for consumers.”
Doctors in NHI programme impacted by payment delays
offered no clear answers.
Several healthcare providers, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal, told The Tribune that they have not received full payments since midMay. Some were paid partially, while others were not paid at all. One clinic reported it received only half of what it was owed.
A general practitioner said their clinic has had to tap into credit lines to stay operational, with some even preparing for
potential layoffs if the delays continue. “They say they’re communicating, but all we hear is that they’re working on it. That does not pay rent or payroll,” the physician said. Others echoed similar frustrations, saying they were left in limbo without clarity on when payments would resume. One clinic manager noted they’ve begun prioritising urgent care only and warned that prolonged delays could force them to close their doors.
Adding to the burden
Young Bahamians seek opportunities at NTA’s first job fair
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
AFTER struggling in low-wage jobs due to a lack of formal qualifications, 23-year-old Ernestine LaCroix believes her prospects are finally improving thanks to the National Training Agency’s (NTA) job readiness programme.
Ms LaCroix was among dozens of young Bahamians who attended the NTA’s first-ever job fair, held yesterday at its Gladstone Road headquarters. The event followed the conclusion of a 14-week training programme focused on workplace conduct, time management, soft skills, and personal development for individuals aged 16 to 26. “This certification will help employers take me more seriously,” said Ms LaCroix, who hopes to pursue a career in digital art. “I have been employed before, but I want to elevate. I want to be able to pursue professions above what I am already
accustomed to.” She said many young people, including herself, often find themselves undervalued in the job market simply because of age or inexperience. “I am still educated, I still know how to articulate myself, and now I have a paper to prove it.”
Unlike past years when NTA officials contacted employers after training sessions, this time, companies were invited to meet participants directly at the fair. Businesses represented included Baha Mar, Dolphin Encounters, Friendly Pharmacy, Royal Caribbean, Island Luck, and Sammy’s Chicken.
are unexplained patient delistings from NHI rosters. Multiple providers said patients who had visited their clinics within the past year were removed from the system, some without any prior notice. One doctor noted they had proof of recent visits despite NHIA claims that the patients had been inactive for two years.
Another provider explained that these unexplained adjustments are reducing capitation payments, directly impacting their monthly revenue
streams. Some patients are now experiencing longer wait times or being diverted to private care, often unaware they’ve been removed from the NHI registry. This is not the first time the NHIA has been criticised for delayed payments. In April 2023, providers raised concerns after payments scheduled for the 15th of the month were only partially disbursed five days late, with the remainder paid even later. At the time, NHIA offered no explanation
for the delay, prompting providers to question the authority’s financial stability. “If you can’t pay your bills on the day you’re supposed to pay them, then that’s a problem,” one doctor said in 2023, describing it as the first instance of such a significant delay. While officials then insisted that NHI remained financially stable, the recurrence of delayed payments is likely to renew concerns about the programme’s reliability and the strain it places on the
healthcare network. Former Health Minister and FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands said the government remains “in massive arrears” and criticised what he described as expecting providers to work without pay.
“It is surreal for the minister to make these promises when the PHA and Ministry of Health are in such a serious cash crunch,” he said. “You cannot expand benefits when you are not paying for the ones you already offer.”
Assistant Director Ione Hepburn said 78 out of 120 trainees completed the programme. She attributed the attrition to the agency’s nononsense approach, which mirrors the expectations of real workplaces. Participants who repeatedly arrived late, ignored dress codes, or displayed poor attitudes were removed despite multiple warnings. “We believe in second chances,” Ms Hepburn said. “But it’s important that participants understand excellence must be consistent.”
She also stressed the importance of self-awareness, which anchors the training. “It’s not just young people—sometimes we don’t know ourselves,” she said. “When we learn
more about who we are and where we come from, it helps us understand why we do what we do.”
The next training cohort begins on September 1. The programme is free of charge, and the NTA is encouraging interested applicants to register.
NEWEST graduating cohort seek opportunities at first ever job fair held by the National Training Agency with multiple companies represented yesterday.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
Judge denies BNU request to remove union president
over Ms Lightbourn’s leadership, a dispute that saw two union officials suspended, locks changed at the union’s headquarters, and members ultimately turning to the courts for resolution.
Yesterday, Justice Darville-Gomez described the case as a highly charged and contentious one, agreeing that a speedy trial is the only way to restore some semblance of calm.
Union executives allege Ms Lightbourn failed to pay union dues for more than two years, an alleged constitutional breach that, they argue, disqualifies her from membership and is central to their case. They have also raised concerns about the union’s financial health, warning that the BNU risks deregistration for failing to file required financial returns for 2023 and 2024.
They are seeking a
court order for the production of the union’s 2024 and 2025 financial statements and returns.
The executives are also seeking damages, including special damages for Ms Brennen, BNU secretary general, who was suspended for alleged constitutional breaches and denied her salary for several months.
However, in her ruling, the judge questioned the timing of the request to remove Ms Lightbourn, calling it “curious” while pointing out it only came after two of the claimants were suspended. She said restraining the president after over two years in office would, in her view, be disproportionate and risk further disruption to the union.
Justice Darville-Gomez also addressed the suspension of two board members, which they claim was unlawful. She said the claimants have a good and arguable case and ordered that Ms Lightbourn be restrained
FNM SET TO A NNOUNCE FIRST SLATE OF CANDIDATES TODAY
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunedmedia.net
THE Free National Movement (FNM) will unveil its first slate of candidates for the next general election today.
“The rollout will present newly ratified FNM candidates for the upcoming general election,” the FNM said in a statement yesterday. “This dynamic and diverse slate of candidates represents real change and people-centered leadership.
In early April, FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands
said the party intended to ratify its first 20 candidates by May 1. However, that deadline was missed. Party leader Mr Michael Pintard later shifted the timeline to the end of May, but the list was still not released.
After repeated delays, Mr Pintard told The Tribune earlier this month that the party was still conducting interviews and progressing through its candidate selection process.
The FNM has faced internal tensions following confirmation that former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will not
be renominated for Killarney, a move that has drawn backlash from his supporters. Meanwhile, Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis resigned from the party after reportedly concluding he would not be renominated. He is now a member of the Coalition of Independents. Dr Sands said Mr Lewis was not aligned with the party’s direction under Mr Pintard’s leadership and that the message from his constituency association was clear — they wanted a different representative.
Free HIV testing held in Eight Mile Rock
By DENI SE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FREE HIV testing was held in the Eight Mile Rock (EMR) community on Saturday as part of an education campaign encouraging residents to know their status and reduce the stigma.
from acting on those suspensions.
She further ordered that Ms Brennen be paid the salary withheld from her between April and May, as well as the outstanding balance for December 2024.
The judge also refused to grant an order restraining the treasurer from spending union funds without a resolution from the executive committee.
Regarding damages, Justice Darville-Gomez said the issue is multifaceted. While she found that damages may be an adequate remedy for certain reliefs, such as salary arrears, she noted it would not sufficiently address all of the relief being sought. As a result, she reserved her judgment and adjourned the matter to July 30.
Lessiah Rolle serves as counsel for the claimants, while Sidney Campbell represents the defendants, including Ms Lightbourn and union treasurer Sherran Rolle.
On Saturday, June 21, the EMR clinic opened its doors to host Positive Impact, an initiative providing free HIV testing, education, and support in the fight against the virus.
The initiative, which is a major step towards HIV awareness and prevention, was held by the HIV/AIDS Survivors Benefit (HASB) in partnership with the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA).
“We are mandated to make sure the public is aware of their health status,” Tina Roberts, president of the HASB, said, urging Grand Bahamians to know their HIV status.
She said that efforts are underway in the Bahamas to meet the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal, a global target to end the AIDS epidemic by the year 2030.
According to the Ministry of Health, more than 4,500 people in The Bahamas are currently living with HIV, and roughly 80 new cases are diagnosed each year, according to the latest available data as of
2023.
Ms Roberts said education and accessible testing are the key to reducing spread and the stigma.
“We are doing an active role in making sure we make a paradigm shift in Grand Bahama, and that people know their status,” she said. “We elucidate education as well as ensure we reduce stigma and discrimination by educating them about the disease.”
The Positive Impact initiative, which was implemented two decades ago, was launched globally by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and continues to serve as a beacon of hope. In Grand Bahama, the movement aims to break the silence surrounding HIV by fostering conversation, encouraging testing, and delivering lifesaving education.
“We reduce their fear of getting tested and living with AIDS and making sure we reduce transmission,” Ms Roberts said.
“Educating persons about zero discordancy and zero concordancy… that they can live together.”
Marsha Hepburn, administrative manager for community health care clinics in the West Grand Bahama district, hailed the event as a powerful example of collaboration.
“This is an opportunity for PHA to partner with organisations to spread the word about knowing your HIV status,” she said.
“In knowing your status, you can make informed decisions, especially as it relates to safe sex practices and high-risk situations like childbirth.”
She emphasised the importance of safe sex and encouraged condom use. She said life-altering consequences can result from untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“Some STDs can have severe repercussions on your life forever. It can interfere with sterility, affecting your ability to have children, and affect the fetus,” she warned.
Verna Bonaby, a Distinguished Toastmaster of Toastmasters Rocky Shores, based in Pinedale, EMR, said the club has played a key role in spreading awareness about the event and used the opportunity as a way to give back to the community.
“People would hear about Toastmasters and say it is about speaking and leadership communication. And we want to expand that and do our part to give back to the community,” said Ms Bonaby.
“When people see familiar faces getting involved, it will encourage more to come out and be part of community events such as this,” she said.
Ms Roberts stressed that Positive Impact is a call for citizens to stand together, educate one another, and remove the shame often associated with HIV.
from page one
BAHAMAS NURSES UNION PRESIDENT MURIEL LIGHTBOURN
HIV/AIDS Survivors Benefit (HASB) in partnership with the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) held free HIV testing at Eight Mile Rock in Grand Bahama on Saturday.
Photo: Vandyke Hepburn
Rolle rebukes ‘predatory lending institutions’
“The Bahamian people have been suffering for far too long at the hands of financial predators,” Mr Rolle declared. He called for urgent reforms to combat exploitative lending, including stronger regulatory oversight, greater financial literacy, and mandatory transparency from lenders.
“There is a need to implement clear interest rate caps, mandate full disclosure of loan terms, and closely monitor nonbank lenders,” he said.
Highlighting a broader pattern of financial inequity, he pointed to disadvantages faced by local consumers: high interest rates, limited access to credit, excessive fees, lack of transparency, limited consumer protections, and a widening
digital divide. He also criticised predatory financing tied to home furnishing purchases. “I’m not calling names, but in some of these places, they make more money off the financing than they do of actual furniture. This is wrong,” he said. He called for stronger partnerships between government, financial institutions, and civil society to create a fairer lending environment. He emphasised the need for public education campaigns to help Bahamians identify exploitative practices and make informed financial decisions.
Noting the lack of official data on predatory practices by non-bank lenders, he pledged that the CPC will work to expand both research and outreach. “I plan to be a change agent,” he said. from
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
THE Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has received 139 complaints so far this year, with the most common issues including overcharging, undelivered goods, expired items, and hidden fees.
CPC chairman Senator Randy Rolle revealed the data in the Senate yesterday, noting that of the 139 reports filed between
January 1 and June 10, 107 fell under the commission’s jurisdiction. The remainder included 22 advice-only matters and ten referrals to other agencies.
“So far, for this year, the CPC has processed $206,391.86 in claims and have recouped $116,872.57 – all refunded back in the pockets of consumers. This gives us a recovery rate of 56.63 percent,” Mr Rolle said.
Of the total cases, he said 45 have been resolved
while 62 remain under investigation. The most persistent complaints involve timeshare disputes and beauty aid products, though he said there’s been a noticeable drop in issues with couriers, auto parts stores, and contractors.
Other recurring
problems reported to the CPC include unfinished or substandard work, poor customer service, damaged items, duplicate charges, and credit card-related disputes.
To boost consumer protection, the commission is expanding its secret
shopper programme and increasing field staff to monitor businesses. “We are making sure they are accountable,” he said.
A new mobile app is also in development with the Trade Commission to improve public access to CPC services. Meanwhile,
the agency is intensifying enforcement against expired goods and counterfeit alcohol.
“We want businesses and consumers to be vigilant, because we are watching and you will be penalized if found breaking the law,” he warned.
Baha Mar has ‘good occupancies’ despite falling short of projections, says s ands
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
BAHA Mar senior vice
president Robert Sands says the resort is maintaining strong occupancy levels despite falling short of its performance targets from last year, crediting solid business activity for enabling ongoing charitable contributions.
“I can tell you that Baha Mar has very good occupancies. We’re behind what we were hoping to achieve last year, but we are encouraged by our level of business, and it is a result of that that we’re able to also do the types of things that we’re doing in terms of giving,” Mr Sands said on the sidelines of a
charity donation event. When asked about the potential impact of global conflict on bookings, he added:
“Let us not be naysayers at this point in time. We’re very early in the game, it’s a watch and see. What I can tell you is that our bookings for the last quarter of this year are very encouraging. And let us end on that note, rather than trying to put water on burning ashes.”
His comments come amid growing concerns about the future of The Bahamas’ tourism sector, as the US introduces policy changes that could disrupt travel across the region. These include new travel advisories, tighter immigration laws,
and broader economic uncertainty.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism
Chester Cooper, speaking during the 2025/2026 Budget debate in the House of Assembly, said
these global developments are already being felt in advance bookings.
He cited higher taxes and tariffs, shifting US immigration policies that may discourage travel among Caribbean nationals, and
economic projections pointing to a possible US recession later this year — with a 45 percent chance, according to major financial institutions. Such a downturn could significantly reduce discretionary travel.
Still, Mr Cooper maintained a cautiously optimistic outlook, highlighting The Bahamas’ proximity to the United States and the increasing popularity of last-minute bookings as key advantages. He added that the government’s approach includes both short-term responses and long-term marketing strategies to support the sector. Despite looming challenges, recent data shows tourism performance remains strong. The Bahamas welcomed a record 11 million visitors in 2024, including nine million cruise passengers. Between January and April 2025, the country recorded 4.3 million air and sea arrivals — up from 3.9 million during the same period last year — representing an 11.7 percent year-over-year increase and a 65 percent jump compared to 2019. Nassau Paradise Island continues to drive the bulk of this growth, with total arrivals increasing ten percent, from 1.8 million to 2.05 million. However, air arrivals slightly declined from just over 500,000 to just under 493,000, a shift attributed to room capacity constraints.
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMISSION (CPC) CHAIRMAN SENATOR RANDY ROLLE
BAHA MAR SENIOR VP ROBERT SANDS
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LEON E. H. DUPUCH
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AFTER all the years of warnings over travel to The Bahamas by the US, the shoe has been on the other foot this week – Bahamians have been urged to be cautious in major cities in the US. That goes along with perhaps inevitable warnings about avoiding travel to Iran, Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories and to the Middle East region. It comes of course amid the conflict that has broken out in the region, particularly with the missiles being launched at one another by Iran and Israel.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is of course doing its duty to warn and protect Bahamians – and rightly soalthough a glance at the news from the region, new ceasefire or no new ceasefire, would make one well aware it is a dangerous spot to be in right now. It does all show the changing state of our world right now.
We have seen the freezing of student visa applications – now restarted but with an added requirement to allow access to social media in case of “hostile” posts, though what exactly constitutes hostile is yet to be tested.
We have seen concerns from people about travelling through US ports in case they are stopped – even if they have all the correct documentation and no problems, because of a rising perception of the risk of being held.
Be on your guard in changing world Gaming houses and politics
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I READ with interest a recent article in a local daily paper in which Bahamas Christian Council President, Bishop Delton Fernander, raised concerns about the over concentration of gaming houses in our inner-city communities. His alarm is not only warranted; it is overdue. There appears to be no meaningful government regulation on where gaming houses can set up shop, nor any restriction on how many can exist within a particular area. The result? An overproliferation of gaming establishments in some of the most economically vulnerable neighborhoods in our country, preying on working-class Bahamians who can least afford to lose what little they have.
Let us not forget: the Bahamian people resoundingly rejected the legalisation of web shop gaming in the 2015 national referendum. Despite this, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government of the day chose to override the will of the people and legalise it anyway.
We have seen reports of a possible drop in travel to The Bahamas because of that same concern of passing through port inspections.
And now we see a need to be wary when travelling around the US in case, presumably because of the risk of reprisals in the US after the nation struck Iran in a bid to wipe out the nuclear enrichment sites said to be there.
Meanwhile, despite a ceasefire being called, and in a comment unlikely to inspire confidence in a positive confidence, US President Donald Trump says that Iran and Israel “don’t know what the f*** they’re doing”.
He said: “[Iran] violated, but Israel violated it too, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs – the likes of which I’ve never seen before, the biggest load that we’ve seen – I’m not happy with Israel.”
If there is a lesson from all of this, it is to pay attention to what is going on.
Circumstances are changing swiftly, and it is well worth travellers especially looking carefully at what is happening and preparing accordingly.
If you are going to travel into a region where there may be instability, be prepared as best you can for the disruption that may occur. It pays to be on your guard far more than, say, a year ago. Be alert, be aware, and most of all, be safe.
Rhetoric in budget debate
EDITOR, The Tribune.
They paid a political price at the ballot box. But now, a decade later, the consequences of that decision are everywhere.
Gaming houses are not just ubiquitous; they are politically powerful. Their owners have grown rich beyond imagination, vacationing across Europe, diversifying their wealth into real estate, car dealerships, media houses and much more. But it is not just economic power they have amassed, it is political power, too. They donate to political candidates. They host lavish galas where they bestow “honors” on Cabinet Ministers and the Prime Minister himself. The Prime Minister attends their lavish birthday parties. The government rents buildings from them. They may well be the government’s largest private landlord. The wife of a major gaming house executive sits in Parliament under the PLP banner. And now, rumors swirl that a gaming house boss himself is eyeing a seat in the House of Assembly, again under the PLP banner.
Are we witnessing the slow takeover of our political system by the gaming industry? Is this the next stage - where those who built fortunes by extracting wealth from the poor now seek to write the very laws that govern us? If this is indeed the trajectory, we’re on, then Bishop Fernander and all right-thinking Bahamians may as well abandon hope for reform. There will be no cap on the number of gaming houses. There will be no protection for our inner-city communities. There will only be further exploitation, cloaked in legitimacy. This is not just about gambling anymore. This is about the soul of our nation and the integrity of our democracy. We must ask ourselves—do we really want gaming house bosses taking over Bahamian politics? Food for thought.
A CONCERNED CITIZEN Nassau, June 24, 2025.
THIS year’s budget debate was little more than a theatrical display of hollow rhetoric, with the Prime Minister Philip E Davis wielding “HOPE” as the latest political dope meant to pacify the public and obscure a glaring absence of substance. Day after Day, Week after Week, Bahamians were treated to stirring speeches filled with grand visions and vaguely defined promises, yet not once were we given a clear roadmap, actionable milestones, or concrete metrics by which to judge success. After all, HOPE appeals precisely because it asks for nothing in return. It soothes anxieties without demanding scrutiny, and it comforts us without requiring accountability. But our nation cannot afford to be lulled into complacency by empty optimism. The challenges before us, diversifying our economy, modernising infrastructure, strengthening health and education systems, securing our borders, and expanding homeownership and small business opportunities, are too urgent and too complex to be addressed by wishful thinking alone. What Bahamians need now is leadership that does more than wave the Flag of Hope; we need leaders who can articulate a competent, executable, and sustainable vision, underpinned by well-defined strategies and tangible action plans. First, our economic agenda must be inclusive.
A thriving Bahamas is one in which every citizen has real access to opportunity. This means establishing transparent criteria for small business financing, launching true 21st-century demanded technical skills and entrepreneurship programs targeted to underserved communities, and reforming zoning and licensing regulations to lower barriers to market entry. By fostering an Ownership Economy, where Bahamians can truly own and grow businesses, homes, and assets, we build resilience against external shocks and create the generational wealth that underpins long-term prosperity.
Second, our investment in public infrastructure must be strategic and futurefocused. Beyond ‘patch and repair,’ we need a comprehensive plan for resilient transportation networks, renewable energy rollouts, and digital connectivity upgrades that serve every island community. Each project should be accompanied by a published timeline, cost-benefit analysis, and periodic public progress reports. In doing so, we transform hope from a narcotic into an engine of accountability and ensure that taxpayer dollars yield measurable returns.
Third, governance itself must be recalibrated toward
genuine collaboration. Regular town hall consultations, citizens’ assemblies, and open data portals can tether grand visions to the lived experiences of everyday Bahamians. Quarterly “State of the Budget” reviews, complete with independent real-time audits, would allow parliamentarians, civic groups, and the media to track progress, raise concerns, and propose midcourse corrections. When citizens are active partners rather than passive recipients of hopebaiting speeches, policy becomes more robust, adaptive, and responsive. In sum, HOPE should not be the OPIATE that dulls our critical faculties or excuses political inaction. Instead, it must serve as the spark that ignites collective effort, once it is firmly anchored to clear objectives, shared responsibility, and transparent execution. Bahamians are ready to roll up their sleeves, contribute ideas, and hold leaders to account. All we ask is for future budget debates that transcend platitudes, ones that outline real solutions with real plans. Let us insist that hope cease to be used as a narcotic and become, instead, the engine of real progress. Only then will we chart a course toward a thriving, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable opportunity and ownership-driven economy, for and by the people of the Bahamas.
C
ALLEN JOHNSON Grand Bahama, June 22, 2025.
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A STARFISH by the sea.
Photo: Aaliyah Knowles
MAN ACCUSED OF UNLAWFUL INTERCOURSE WITH TEEN GIRL Man charged with attacking GB school principal with piece of steel
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was remanded into custody yesterday after being accused of molesting an underaged girl seven times over a two-year period.
Taffarie Ramsey, 32, was arraigned on seven counts of unlawful sexual intercourse before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans. Prosecutors allege that Ramsey engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse with a teenage girl, aged 12 to 13 at the time, on seven occasions in New
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN was remanded into custody yesterday after being accused of a fatal shooting outside a Cordeaux Avenue bar that claimed the life of Jarred Evans earlier this month. Amir Thompson, 25, was arraigned on a charge of murder before Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville. Prosecutors allege Thompson shot and killed 21-year-old Jarred Evans outside Typsy’s Bar and Lounge shortly after midnight on June 9. Evans had been celebrating with friends and was killed just days after
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was remanded into custody on Friday after being accused of a near-fatal shooting in Harbour Island that left another man injured last month.
Dawson Alcira, 24, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley on a charge of attempted murder.
Prosecutors allege that Alcira shot and injured 24-year-old Dextron Percentie at an establishment on Barrack Street, Harbour Island, around 12.30am on May 29. The victim reportedly
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was sentenced to 30 months in prison yesterday after admitting to having a loaded gun at his Hay Street home last week.
Providence and Cat Island between January 1, 2022, and May 31, 2024. He was not required to enter a plea and was informed that the case would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Ramsey was also advised of his right to apply for bail in the higher court. He will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the potential service of his VBI on September 18. Inspector S Coakley served as the prosecutor.
his birthday. Thompson was not required to enter a plea and was informed that the case would proceed to the Supreme Court via a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). She was also advised of her right to apply for bail in the higher court. While in court, Thompson claimed she was a victim of police brutality during her time in custody. She will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the potential service of her VBI on October 31. Tai Pinder-Mackey represented the accused. Inspector Cordero Farrington served as the prosecutor.
ISLAND
sustained a gunshot wound to his left hand. He was treated at a local clinic before being airlifted to New Providence for further medical care. Alcira was not required to enter a plea and was informed that the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court via a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).
He was also advised of his right to apply for bail through the higher court. The defendant will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the potential service of his VBI on September 11. Inspector Deon Barr served as the prosecutor.
By DEN ISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A 27-YEAR-OLD East Grand Bahama man, who reportedly suffers from a brain aneurysm and faces an unrelated rape charge, was granted $6,000 bail after being accused of attacking a school principal. Kenneth Farrington, of Freetown, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Charlton Smith in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court
A CEMENT truck overturned yesterday morning on Tonique Williams Highway, briefly disrupting traffic near the Eagle Building yard roundabout.
The incident, which occurred shortly before noon, prompted a swift response from police and
charged with assault with a dangerous instrument.
It is alleged that on Friday, June 20, Farrington struck school principal Simmone LaToya ButlerCornish in the head with a piece of steel at McLean’s Town School. Reports indicate the incident occurred when Farrington went to collect his nephew’s report card.
He pleaded not guilty and elected to have the matter heard in the Magistrate’s Court.
Police prosecutor Kendra Smith objected to bail, citing the severity of the offence. She also noted that Farrington is currently out on bail for a rape charge set to proceed to the Supreme Court in November and has two prior convictions for indecent assault. Farrington’s mother pleaded on his behalf, explaining her son suffers from serious health conditions, including a brain aneurysm and
recurring seizures. She said he had previously undergone surgery and is awaiting financial assistance for further treatment in New Providence.
Despite the prosecutor’s objections, Magistrate Smith granted bail with one or two sureties. Farrington must also wear an electronic monitoring device and observe a nightly curfew from 10pm to 6am. The case was adjourned to August 12, 2025.
overturned cement truck
the Ministry of Public Works. By 12.30pm, the truck had been moved into the Eagle yard, and traffic was fully restored by 1.35pm.
Officials on the scene said the accident was triggered when a vehicle suddenly stopped ahead of the
cement truck, forcing the driver to brake hard. The truck, heavy with its load, tipped over, spilling cement and oil across the roundabout. No injuries were reported, though the driver was taken to hospital as a precaution. Recovery required two
crane trucks, and the vehicle was uprighted and removed with police and ministry assistance within an hour.
A senior highway inspector described the scene as hazardous due to oil on the road, highlighting the ministry’s immediate cleanup to reduce further risk.
Shawn McPhee, 27, and Dweisha Barry, 23, were arraigned before Magistrate Lennox Coleby on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition. McPhee was reportedly found in possession of a black Taurus G2C 9mm pistol and 12 rounds of ammunition at his residence on June 19. He pleaded guilty to the charges, while his coaccused, Barry, pleaded not guilty. The charges against Barry were subsequently withdrawn.
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A US national was allegedly sexually assaulted on Monday in Guana Cay, Abaco, by a man she met a local eatery. Police reported yesterday
McPhee was sentenced to 30 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie served as the prosecutor.
that the woman, who was working on a vessel, said after meeting the man the two went by a nearby beach where he became aggressive and sexually assaulted her. He later dropped her at her residence, where she reported the incident.
Keys to optimise business ventures
OPERATING a small business in The Bahamas is difficult. The cost of doing business is high, and it only seems to increase over time, especially for brick-andmortar businesses. Real estate seems like a game that the ordinary person simply cannot win. Even renting space is expensive and comes with headaches that renters could once dismiss as the owners’ problems.
Now, building owners shirk their responsibilities, either drawing up illegal contracts, ignoring the terms, or making communication so uncomfortable that renters prefer to avoid them and try to endure the issues or find ways to resolve them on their own. Utilities are not only high cost, but offer low reliability rates, failing when they are most needed, often slowing or completing halting operations.
The issues with small businesses in The Bahamas begin with the systems within which they must operate. The infrastructure and public services are abysmal. The processes owners have to endure, starting with business registration, are exhausting and frustrating, wasting obscene amounts of time.
It is easy for business owners to become resentful of the businesses for which they had great passion and were prepared to invest a significant proportion of their time, money, and energy. For many, by the time that they can legally operate and interact with customers, their enthusiasm Is dulled.
The job market is tough,
By Alicia Wallace
and there seem to be far more people in need of employment than there are jobs for them to fill.
Employers often take this to mean that people are desperate enough to take jobs and perform well without adequate preparation. The assumption is often made that anyone can clean, anyone can answer the phones, anyone can book appointments, anyone can sell items in a store, and anyone can give common sense answers to customer inquiries. These are basic tasks that, it is assumed, require no skills and no training. This is a colossal mistake that costs no small amount of money.
People do not magically know how to keep an office clean, from product use to daily and weekly task management. People do not simply know how to offer assistance in a store because they have been to stores as customers before. People do not just know how to handle questions that seem silly, that have what they believe to be obvious answers, or to which they do not have the complete answers. Training is required. For any any every job, training is required.
People need work, yes. People also need to receive the training necessary to understand the standards
and meet them at work. This means employees need to understand the business. What is it? It is not enough to know their own role in the business. They need to know the reason the business exists. What is the problem that they have a part in solving? Why are people walking through the doors, and what do they expect to receive when they get inside? What are the values of the company, and how do they demonstrate that they are aligned with those values?
A customer may enter a clothing store looking for a dress for a party, but they usually want more than to look and find a dress. They may want to say something about the event. It is their best friend’s 50th birthday party and it is taking place at a hotel. They want to fit the theme of the formal party, but they have a tendency to get cold in air conditioned spaces. Someone needs to listen to their desires and concerns and make great recommendations.
Maybe they would like a dress with long sleeves. Maybe they want a scarf. Maybe they would like a two- or three-piece ensemble that works for different temperatures and lets them transform their look throughout the evening. Maybe a customer
is shopping with a friend and that friend is making their opinions more important that the customer’s, and they need someone to ask just the right questions to bring the focus back to where it needs to be. These skills are learned when working closely with someone who has done it for a long time and learned, through experience, the ways of navigating the shopping experience, varied personalities, and competing priorities. There are definitely clothing stores that just want to sell the dress. There are also clothing stores that want to deliver an experience. They provide options. They listen to the customer’s concerns. They help them to accentuate areas they love. They are honest about the selections. They offer guidance on accessorising. They want the customer to remember the 20, 30, or 60 minutes they spent in the store, regardless of the price on the item they purchase. They think about the event and the compliments the customer will get. They want to ensure that the customer has a positive experience to share and is compelled to tell the story of the day they walked in, sure they would not find what they needed, and surprised by the care and attention they received at this one store they can hardly wait to visit again.
The store that wants to simply sell the dress and the store that wants to provide an experience beyond the dress have different values, and this impacts the instore experience and the market share of the business in the long run. Their success will vary, and their success will almost certainly be measured differently. Salespeople, then, need to be trained differently.
The customer experiences the frontline staff. In many cases, this the first experience. In others, it is the second. The first may be the online introduction and/ or interaction. Many businesses are leaning heavily on social media to do the work of converting people into customers, and doing so in a place where people still expect, to some extent, a personal experience. The social media posts rarely have all of the necessary information which results
in people ignoring them or having to ask questions. It has become fairly common to “advertise” without stating a price. The comments on many social media posts are often filled with people asking “How much?” and “Price?”
Rather than editing the posts, these businesses frequently reply, “Check inbox.” They would, for some reason, prefer to individually message people with the price of an item rather than simply stating it on the post.
These days, most inbox messages from strangers go to a separate folder than most people never see or forget about for months, so that information comes too late, if ever. It is, overall, a silly way to do business. It is a quick turnoff. For customers who persist, actually bothering to contact to a person or show up at the brick-and-mortar business, the service needs to be exemplary. In most cases, it is not. Then come the social media posts that they “had to run down the people for the price and they have a stink attitude when I ask a question.” This is not just a customer service issue. It is an issue with the business practices.
Train staff to deal with difficult customers. Everyone does not have a sunny disposition. Everyone does not have a big budget. Some people struggle to communicate clearly. Some people bring all of their struggles and trauma with them throughout the day, and it impacts the way they interact with people who had nothing to do with the issues they have endured. What we may perceive as a terrible attitude or haughtiness could be the result of a bad day. Sometimes, maintain a pleasant demeanor can help to regulate the other person.
To be clear, no one is obligated to be exceedingly kind to a person who is being a jerk. No one should experience harassment or abuse at work, and it should not be tolerated under any circumstances. This is not debatable. This is not something for staff to endure. Staff need only keep themselves at a distance from customers’ negative attitudes, focusing on maintaining their own. They are there to
help customers explore the available options. They are not there to absorb negativity. It is okay to say, “I’m sorry that we’re not able to help you today,” or “I’d like to ask the manager to personally assist you. Would you like to leave your contact information?” There should always be a manager who is readily available to step in and respond to customer dissatisfaction and/ or employee discomfort. Sometimes a customer must be asked to leave, and it should not be the frontline staff person’s responsibility to do this.
Running a small business is no easy feat. That is a fact. It is also true that there are ways to make it easier for people to become customers. Make it easier. Provide the basic information as early as possible and as clearly as possible. State the available sizes, colors, and prints, the price(s), the locations, the hours of operation, and ways to contact the staff. When contact information and hours are provided, stick to them. Respond to inquires quickly and completely. If three questions are asked, respond to three questions. If questions are silly, answer them anyway. Treat all questions as important, because the answers are often the difference between being able to pay the electricity bill on time and being in arrears until the unplanned closure of an unsuccessful business that could have survived with appropriate systems, training protocol, and staffing.
Define the values of the business (even if the only value is to make a profit). Communicate the values to the staff in clear language and through proper training. Support staff by having managers available at all times. Respond to customer inquiries in a timely fashion. Make a distinction between a bad attitude and abusive behavior; prepare frontline staff for the former and protect them from the latter. Create systems that are easy to navigate for both customers and staff, and make adjustments in responsive to learning and feedback.
With the high cost of doing business in The Bahamas, training of staff and delivery of good customer services are not optional.
India to host inaugural technology summit 2025
By The Associated Press
Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University will welcome global thought leaders for the inaugural WT Summit.
“India ofers the energy, scale, and ingenuity that the future demands,” said Paul J. Foster, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of World Technology. “The WT Summit is a platform for bold ideas, leading voices and new alliances — and we are proud to be together at MIT World Peace University, Pune.”
Developed in collaboration with MIT World Peace University, one of India’s leading universities, the WT Summit will convene global experts in science, technology, and public leadership to explore innovation across Data and Life Sciences. Programming will highlight frontier
advances in AI, biotechnology, education, and digital infrastructure.
“At MIT-WPU, we believe that technology must serve humanity not just through invention but through intention. Hosting the World Technology Summit in Bharat is a clarion call to the world, that the future of global innovation must be inclusive, ethical and anchored in peace for societal transformation,” remarked Dr. Rahul V. Karad, Executive President, MIT World Peace University, Pune, Bharat.
“We are proud to host the inaugural World Technology Summit,” said Dr. Prasad D. Khandekar, Chief Academic Ofcer at MIT-WPU. “This moment refects both Bharat’s ambition and our institution’s commitment to advancing technology with purpose.”
Professor Ganesh Kakandikar, Associate Dean of External Relations, will coordinate between both teams to ensure a successful summit. The summit in India will be a momentous occasion refecting harmony between the global north and global south at the crossroads of technology.
“This summit puts ingenuity on center stage,” said Deborah Pandit-Sawaf, Chair of the WT Summit 2025 India Coordination Commission. “We’re convening the people and platforms shaping the future — and India is where it starts.”
The WT Summit will feature high-level keynotes, immersive demonstrations, and youth-led programming designed to inspire collaboration and tangible progress.
Google may have to ofer rival search options
By The Associated Press
GOOGLE hits setback in bid to overturn multibillion EU antitrust fine in Android case
LONDON (AP) — Google faced a big setback Thursday in its attempt to overturn a multibillion-dollar European Union antitrust penalty involving Android after a top court's legal adviser sided with regulators.
The European Court of Justice's advocate general, Juliane Kokott, recommended in a non-binding opinion that Google's appeal against the fine worth more than 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) should be dismissed.
The case dates back to 2018, when the EU's executive Commission slapped Google with a 4.134 billion euro fine after finding that the U.S.
tech company used the dominance of its mobile Android operating system to throttle competition and reduce consumer choice.
After Google filed an initial appeal, a lower court trimmed the penalty to 4.125 billion euros in 2022, which the company also appealed to the Court of Justice.
Kokott advised that the Court of Justice confirm the fine and uphold the lower court's judgment, according to a press release summarizing her opinion.
Google said it was disappointed with the opinion, adding that if the court follows it, it "would discourage investment in open platforms and harm Android users, partners and app developers."
"Android has created more choice
for everyone and supports thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world," the company said in a statement.
Opinions from the advocate general aren't legally binding but are often followed by judges.
The judges "are now beginning their deliberations in this case. Judgment will be given at a later date," the court said.
The fine was one of three antitrust penalties totaling more than 8 billion euros that the European Commission slapped on Google in the last decade, as the 27-nation bloc launched its crackdown on Big Tech companies.
Google still faces a decision from Brussels in an antitrust case targeting its digital ad business.
Amazon CEO Jassy says
AI
will reduce
its
corporate workforce in the next few years
By The Associated Press
AMAZON CEO Andy Jassy anticipates generative artificial intelligence will reduce its corporate workforce in the next few years as the online giant begins to increase its usage of the technology.
"We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs," Jassy said in a message to employees. "It's hard to know exactly where this nets out over time, but in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company."
The executive said that Amazon has more than 1,000 generative AI services and applications in progress or built, but that figure is a "small fraction" of what it plans to build.
Jassy encouraged employees to get on board with the e-commerce company's AI plans.
"As we go through this transformation together, be curious about AI, educate yourself, attend workshops and take trainings, use and experiment with AI whenever you can, participate in your team's brainstorms to figure out how to invent for our customers more quickly and expansively, and how to get more done with scrappier teams," he said.
Earlier this month Amazon announced that it was planning to invest $10 billion toward building a campus in North Carolina to expand its cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Since 2024 started, Amazon has committed to about $10 billion apiece to data center projects in Mississippi, Indiana, Ohio and North Carolina as it ramps up its infrastructure to compete with other tech giants to meet growing demand for artificial intelligence products.
The rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence has meanwhile fueled demand for energy-hungry data centers that need power to run servers, storage systems, networking equipment and cooling systems. Amazon said earlier this month that it will spend $20 billion on two data center complexes in Pennsylvania.
In March Amazon began testing artificial intelligence-aided dubbing for select movies and shows offered on its Prime streaming service. A month earlier, the company rolled out a generative-AI infused Alexa.
Amazon has also invested more heavily in AI. In November the company said that it was investing an additional $4 billion in the artificial intelligence startup Anthropic. Two months earlier chipmaker Intel said that its foundry business would make some custom artificial intelligence chips for Amazon Web Services, which is Amazon's cloud computing unit and a main driver of its artificial intelligence ambitions.
A SIGN is displayed on a Google building at their campus in Mountain View, Calif., Sept. 24, 2019.
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Fragile ceasefire appears to hold between Iran and Israel as Trump vents frustration with both sides
DUBAI
Associated Press
A FRAGILE ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to hold Tuesday after initially faltering, and US President Donald Trump expressed frustration with both sides, saying they had fought “for so long and so hard” that they do not know what they are doing.
But even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel had brought Iran’s nuclear program “to ruin,” a new US intelligence report found that the program has been set back only a few months after US strikes over the weekend, according to two people familiar with the assessment.
The early report issued Monday by the Defense Intelligence Agency was described to The Associated Press by two people familiar with it. They were not authorized to address the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The report also contradicts statements from Trump, who has said the Iranian nuclear program was “completely and fully obliterated.” The White House called the assessment “flat-out wrong.”
After the truce was supposed to take effect, Israel accused Iran of launching missiles into its airspace, and the Israeli finance minister vowed that “Tehran will tremble.”
The Iranian military denied firing on Israel, state media reported, but explosions boomed and sirens sounded across northern Israel in the morning, and an Israeli military official said two Iranian missiles were intercepted.
Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for a NATO summit that, in his view, both sides had violated the nascent agreement. He had particularly strong words for Israel, a close ally, while suggesting Iran may have fired on the country by mistake.
But later he said the deal was saved.
ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!” Trump said in his Truth Social post.
Indeed, Netanyahu’s office said he held off on tougher strikes against Iran after speaking to Trump. A dozen tense days
The conflict, now in its 12th day, began with Israel targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, saying it could not allow Tehran to develop atomic weapons and that it feared the Islamic Republic was close. Iran has long maintained that its program is peaceful. If the truce holds, it will provide a global sense of relief after the US intervened by dropping bunker-buster bombs on nuclear sites — a move that risked further destabilising the volatile region.
Trump phoned Netanyahu after the American bombing on Sunday and told him not to expect
additional US military attacks and that he should seek a diplomatic solution with Iran, a senior White House official said.
Trump’s position was that the US had removed any imminent threat posed by Iran, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about sensitive diplomatic talks and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Israel followed up the US air attacks by expanding the kinds of targets it was hitting.
After Tehran launched a limited retaliatory strike
“We basically have two countries that have been fghting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f—they’re doing.”
- US President
Donald J Trump
Monday on a US military base in Qatar, Trump announced the ceasefire.
A protracted conflict could have a broad economic impact if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping channel.
China, which is Iran’s largest trading partner and only remaining oil customer, condemned the US attacks and said it was concerned about a “spiral of escalations” without a ceasefire. Trump suggested the ceasefire would allow Iranian oil to continue to flow, saying on social media that China could keep purchasing crude from Iran.
Israel accuses Iran of violating the truce. Iran denies allegation
The deal got off to a rocky start. An Israeli military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military regulations said Iran launched two missiles at Israel hours into the tenuous ceasefire. Both were intercepted, the official said.
Iranian state television reported that the military denied firing missiles after the start of the ceasefire — while condemning Israel for predawn strikes of its own.
One of those attacks killed a high-profile nuclear scientist, Mohammad Reza Sedighi Saber, at his father-in-law’s residence in northern Iran, Iranian state TV reported.
Trump’s frustration with the early morning strikes was palpable as he spoke to reporters before departing for the Hague. He said both sides had violated the agreement and used an expletive to hammer home his point.
“We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f—- they’re doing,” he said.
Breakthrough announced after hostilities spread
Netanyahu said Israel agreed to the ceasefire with Iran, in coordination with Trump, after the country achieved all of its war goals, including removing the
threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
In a televised statement, Netanyahu said late Tuesday that Israel took out top generals and nuclear scientists and destroyed nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan and the Arak heavy water reactor. He thanked Trump for his help.
It’s unclear what role Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s leader, played in the talks. He said earlier on social media that he would not surrender.
Trump said Tuesday that he wasn’t seeking regime change in Iran, two days after floating the idea himself in a social media post. I don’t want it,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “Regime change takes chaos and, ideally, we don’t want to see much chaos.” Before the ceasefire was announced, Israel’s military said Iran launched 20 missiles toward Israel. Police said they damaged at least three densely packed residential buildings in the city of Beersheba. First responders said they retrieved four bodies from one building and were searching for more. At least 20 people were injured.
Outside, the shells of burned out cars littered the streets. Broken glass and rubble covered the area. Police said some people were injured while inside their apartments’ reinforced safe rooms, which are meant to withstand rockets but not direct hits from ballistic missiles.
The attack followed a limited Iranian missile assault Monday on a US military base in Qatar in retaliation for earlier American bombing of its nuclear sites. The US was warned by Iran in advance, and there were no casualties.
Elsewhere, US forces shot down drones attacking the Ain al-Assad base in the desert in western Iraq and a base next to the Baghdad airport, while another one crashed, according to a senior US military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly.
No casualties were reported, and no group claimed responsibility for the attacks in Iraq. Some Iran-backed Iraqi militias had previously threatened to target US bases if the US attacked Iran.
Confict has killed hundreds
In Israel, at least 28 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the war. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 974 people and wounded 3,458 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists.
The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from Iranian unrest, said of those killed, it identified 387 civilians and 268 security force personnel.
The US has evacuated some 250 American citizens and their immediate family members from Israel by government, military and charter flights that began over the weekend, a State Department official said.
There are roughly 700,000 American citizens, most of them dual USIsraeli citizens, believed to be in Israel.
ISRAELI soldiers from the search and rescue unit work amid the rubble of residential buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike that killed several people, in Beersheba, Israel, yesterday.
Photo: Bernat Armangue/AP
Mother who lost child in fire given assistance at Baha Mar charity event
Robert Sands, senior vice president of government and external affairs, said the foundation considered it imperative to offer immediate support in such tragic circumstances.
“We believe it is essential to give back to the community that supports us,” Mr Sands said. “This funding is meant to have a direct and measurable impact where it is most needed.”
The donation was one of several announced during a presentation ceremony at Baha Mar following the third annual Baha Mar Golf Invitational held at the Royal Blue Golf Course on June 14.
In total, the foundation distributed more than $275,000 to 15 nonprofit and community organisations.
The foundation said the record-breaking proceeds were allocated across a range of causes aligned with its mission to support community development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation.
Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar, said the grants are intended to support organisations conducting “critical work in our communities”.
Among the recipients was the Royal Bahamas Police Force Sports, Welfare & Scholarship Fund, which received $30,000 to support educational scholarships and youth outreach. The Bahamas National Trust was also awarded $30,000 to aid biodiversity and environmental education at Bonefish Pond National Park.
Several other charities addressing physical and mental health, emergency response, food insecurity, and special education were supported.
These included $25,000 grants to the Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled, BAARK (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness), the Bahamas Humane Society, the Bahamas Council for Alcoholism, the Salvation Army, the Bahamas Red Cross, and Hands for Hunger.
According to Mr Sands,
BAARK will use the funds to expand its spay/neuter initiatives and to support the development of the Pirate Potcake Animal Sanctuary.
The Bahamas Down Syndrome Association, REACH Bahamas, and the Nassau Chapter of The Links, Inc. each received $20,000 to support children with special needs, autism services, and shelter for women affected by domestic violence, respectively.
Youth athletic development was also a focus, with $15,000 each awarded to the Bahamas Golf Federation Youth Program and the Bahamas Aquatics Federation to support training and international competition.
Christ the King Church and St Agnes Church also received $15,000 each for restoration efforts and outreach programs targeting senior citizens.
Mr Sands added that an additional $400,000 to $500,000 in charitable disbursements is expected within the next three weeks, marking the second phase of the foundation’s 2025 giving cycle.
ROBERT “Sandy” Sands speaks during a ceremony where the Baha Mar Resort Foundation donated funds to several charities at Baha Mar yesterday.
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Rotary Club of Grand Bahama to honour Bahamian entertainers
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE Rotary Club of Grand Bahama will mark its 2025/2026 Board Installation on Sunday, June 29, with an event themed “A Celebration of the Arts”, recognising influential Bahamian entertainers, including Theo Coakley of the Grammy-nominated group T-Connection. The event will take place at the Belinda M Wilson Convention Center (BUT Hall) in Freeport.
David Mackey, a prominent Bahamian businessman and former T-Connection lead guitarist, will be installed as the new Rotary president. The Bahamas Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) and the Ministry for Grand Bahama are supporting the celebration, which promotes Bahamian music across various genres and is framed as an orange economy initiative.
The evening will feature live performances and tributes to a wide range of artists, such as KB, Phil Stubbs, Cooling Waters, Shelly Carey, Wilfred Solomon, Ralph Munnings, Javan Hunt,
Methise Rigby, Donald Glass, Tony Lowe, Sharade Taylor, Henry “Juice” Outten, Jens Sweeting, Ashanti Carey, and others. Part of the event’s proceeds will fund music supplies for three schools on the island.
Steven Johnson, of the TDC, said the organisation views the event as a dual opportunity: to showcase Bahamian talent and to attract local and international visitors to Grand Bahama. He highlighted Theo Coakley’s global reputation and noted that interest in tickets has already been strong. According to Mr Johnson, TDC is enthusiastic about partnering with the Rotary Club and sees this as a step toward positioning Grand Bahama as a cultural tourism destination.
Entertainer Jay Mitchell said he was honoured to perform and be acknowledged for his longstanding contributions to the Bahamian music scene. He noted his past collaborations with Mr Mackey, including recording albums and sharing the stage.
Donald Glass, another performer, said he was eager to take part in the
celebration, describing Mr Mackey as a musician with great talent and personal integrity. He
recalled that T-Connection had even performed at his wedding and expressed admiration for Jay Mitchell, whom he looked up to during his high school years in New Providence. Glass also emphasised his appreciation for Rotary’s community-driven mission.
UNDER the theme, ‘A Celebration of the Arts, the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama will honour and pay tribute to Bahamian musicians. Businessman and musician David ‘Dave’ Mackey (second from left) is being installed as the incoming president for the 2025/2026 Board. Announcing plans for the event were from left Donald Glass, Dave Mackey, Jay Mitchell, Christine van de Linde, past president, and Steven Johnson, of the Tourism Development Corporation.
Photo: Denise Maycock