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BIMINI BLAZE LEAVES TWENTY HOMELESS

Residents express anger over lack of island’s firefighting resources

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

RESIDENTS formed a bucket brigade from the shoreline and scrambled onto rooftops to fight a massive Bailey Town fire on Wednesday morning, as flames tore through homes in Bimini and reignited long-running anger over the island’s firefighting resources.

Police said officers were

Father says Diamond would want him to forgive car crash driver

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

DAMIAN Stubbs, the father of 17-year-old Diamond Stubbs, says he has forgiven the 19-year-old driver charged over the Shirley Street crash that killed his daughter and four

other teenagers, softening the anger he felt in the raw days after the country’s deadliest traffic accident in at least two decades.

Mr Stubbs previously demanded justice for Diamond and the other teenage girls who died after a Mazda sedan carrying eight people slammed into a tree at the

alerted shortly after 6am to the blaze on Kings Highway, where they found a two-storey concrete-and-wood structure housing four residences fully engulfed in flames.

The Ministry of Social Services later said at least five homes were affected, while Island Administrator Evak Arthur estimated that close to 20 people were impacted.

‘I

intersection of Shirley Street and Church Street on June 28.

But as Marcus Thacker Jr, the 19-year-old driver, now faces five counts of vehicular manslaughter, Mr Stubbs said his grief has shifted.

“I was really angry, but as

RIGHTS GROUP DEMANDS PROBE INTO VIRAL POLICE SLAP VIDEO

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HUMAN Rights Bahamas has called for a prompt, independent and transparent investigation into a viral video that showed a Royal Bahamas Police Force officer slapping a man during a crowded public sporting event. The group’s demand came

after Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Rolle said the Complaints and Corruption Unit is investigating the matter. He said the RBPF does not condone the conduct shown in the video.

The footage, which had spread across social media, shows two officers standing with a man near the bleachers

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

LOVAN Miller-Christie, the Andros mother who lost all three of her sons in a car crash less than two years ago, said she wept for the five teenagers killed in last month’s Shirley Street crash, saying the tragedy tore open the grief she still carries.

Philip McCarron, Philip D’Caprio and D’Angelo Christiethree brothers who died ina traffic accident in 2024.

Diamond Stubbs with father Damian.

A FIRE at Bailey Town in Bimini destroys at least five structures leaving 20 residents without a home yesterday.

Grieving father forgives driver in Shirley St crash

time goes by, I’m starting to now feel sorry for him because it could have been my daughter driving that car,” Mr Stubbs said. “No matter where they were going or where they were coming from, all of those kids who was in the car was going to be in the car together.”

“If my daughter had lived after all of this, she would still say, ‘Daddy, we have to forgive Marcus.’

Asked what he would say to Thacker if given the chance, Mr Stubbs said: “I’ll tell him I forgive him, but you know definitely I would have want to ask questions.”

The crash killed Diamond, Stania Webb, 17, Keno Gordon Jr, 19, Bertrica Brown, 18, and Evalena Johnson, 19. Bianca Mathurin and Shawn Thurston, 21, remain in hospital recovering from their injuries.

The tragedy tore through families with deep ties to one another. Diamond, Bertrica, Stania, Keno and Marcus grew up together on Cat Island, sharing bonds that stretched across households.

“My daughter Diamond,” Mr Stubbs said, “if she was alive, she would have been calling the driver’s daddy uncle, because that’s all she

“If my daughter had lived after all of this, she would still say, ‘Daddy, we have to forgive Marcus.’

- Damian Stubbs

knows him as uncle.”

He said the girls viewed Thacker as a big brother.

Mr Stubbs said he could not be angry at the driver even if he wanted to, though he still wrestles with painful questions about the speed of the car.

Some people have criticised the group for travelling eight-deep in one car.

Mr Stubbs rejected the idea that the outcome would have changed easily, saying the girls were so close they would not have willingly split into different vehicles.

“We train our children not leave each other behind,” he said.

As the families prepare to bury their children, Stanley Webb, Stania’s father, has begun building mausoleums for his daughter and

Diamond, who were best friends, so they can be laid side by side. He has been helped by his two older sons and a group of local volunteers.

Mr Stubbs said watching people rally around the families has been overwhelming. He said the families made it clear Diamond and Stania would not be separated. While Mr Webb focuses on the burial site on Cat Island, Mr Stubbs has been in New Providence handling funeral arrangements.

“The hardest part of my kid’s death was sitting in the

funeral home trying to pick out a casket, and to hear them discuss what’s going to look good on the children,” he said, adding that he cannot bear to discuss dressing his daughter for burial.

He said his wife, Natalie Stubbs, was emotionally shattered after learning their daughter had died. She stopped speaking to people and turned off her phone, though he said she began to make some progress on Tuesday.

The couple have three other children: Damian

Jr, 23, Dominic, 16, and Trinity, 11. Mr Stubbs said Trinity, their youngest daughter, has helped hold the family together. He described Diamond as more than a daughter. She was his dear friend, especially during difficult times, and the peacemaker who helped bind the family together.

Diamond had graduated as valedictorian and head girl of Old Bight High School just two weeks before the crash.

Relatives and school officials said she had a future loaded with promise. She

Mother who lost three sons weeps for

Mrs Miller-Christie said the deaths of Bertrica Brown, 18, Diamond Stubbs, 17, Stania Webb, 19, Evalena Johnson, 19, and Keno Gordon Jr, 19, reminded her of the pain that has marked her life since September 2, 2024, when her sons — Philip McCarron Christie, 24, Philip D’Caprio Christie, 23, and D’Angelo Christie, 20 — died together in a traffic accident in New Providence.

“I cried for those children,” she said yesterday. “They just graduated, they were intelligent (and) one was getting ready to go to college. I was just looking at their story and I say ‘oh my God.”

“I just wept, I really felt the pain,” she said.

The Shirley Street crash happened on June 28, when eight people were travelling in one vehicle. Bianca Mathurin

and Shawn Thurston, 21, remain in hospital recovering from their injuries.

Mrs Miller-Christie said people began messaging her after the crash, telling her they knew the tragedy must have stirred painful memories.

Her sons had left their quiet life in Andros and moved to New Providence in pursuit of bigger dreams before they were killed. The Tribune interviewed Mrs Miller-Christie in June 2025, the first time she spoke publicly since the crash that claimed all three of her children and broke hearts across the country. Now, she said, she feels deeply for the parents forced to shoulder a similar kind of loss.

Although coping with her sons’ deaths remains difficult, Mrs Miller-Christie said she continues to lean on her faith.

“I’m still managing,” she said.

was expected to receive about five scholarships and planned to attend Langston University.

Mr Stubbs said Diamond was intelligent, generous and committed to helping others in the community, at school and at church. She wanted to major in criminal justice.

He recalled watching an emotional video of the last song Diamond sang to him during a Father’s Day church service:

“Goodness of God.”

“I didn’t know that was going to be the last song,” he said.

Shirley St victims

She said she hopes one day to reach out to the grieving families, but believes they need time before they can absorb the comfort others are trying to offer.

“I know when I lost my sons, people were reaching

out to me, but I wasn’t hearing them, you know,” she said. “They were talking to me, but I was in another space. I think that when people go through loss, you could send them your condolences and tell them, but you have to give

time to reconcile with that loss and that pain.”

Mrs Miller-Christie said The Bahamas needs an organisation where people grieving sudden losses can find moral support, counselling, and guidance from others who have endured

after

similar tragedies.

“We could come together share and explain our pain,” she said. “And share what it is that we use to help us manage our grief, pain, and loss, and to come out of bed with sanity.”

Govt unveils ‘One Life, Too Many’ road safety plan

behaviour.

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE government yesterday launched a national road safety campaign, “One Life, Too Many”, following a series of fatal crashes that have left families grieving across the country.

During a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, Transport Minister Leon Lundy said the initiative was born out of the painful reality that dozens of Bahamians continue to lose their lives on roads each year, including the five young people who died following last week’s Shirley Street crash.

Mr Lundy noted that the same day, a young woman died in Grand Bahama, followed the next day by a young man in Abaco and another young man in Nassau.

Mr Lundy said communities across The Bahamas have repeatedly been forced to mourn loved ones lost in traffic crashes.

“We have seen grieving mothers. We have seen fathers who could barely find words. No report, no briefing, no statistic prepares you for the sound of a family’s heartbreak,” he said.

He noted that 65 people died on Bahamian roads last year, following 66 fatalities in 2024.

“Behind each of those numbers is a person. A life. A family. A future,” Mr Lundy said. “No loss like that should ever become

“They were sons and daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, classmates and friends,” the minister said. “Some of them were only weeks away from leaving home for college. Their families are still learning how to live with an empty chair at the table.”

routine, and no loss like that will ever be acceptable to this country.”

The campaign’s slogan, he said, reflects the government’s belief that every road fatality is one too many.

Mr Lundy announced that the National Road Safety Committee has been re-engaged and will begin meeting this month. The committee, which is expected to meet monthly will bring together the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Works, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Road Traffic Department, health services, educators, local government and civil society to coordinate road safety efforts.

He said education and enforcement would move together, with the Road Traffic Department working alongside police traffic units to improve compliance and prevent dangerous driving

“Every ticket that never has to be written because a driver made a better choice is a victory. Every life saved is a success,” he said.

The minister also said the government would work with taxi operators and transportation stakeholders to expand safe transportation options during evenings, weekends, holidays and major events so that intoxicated persons are not left feeling they must drive themselves home.

Mr Lundy acknowledged public calls for stronger penalties, speed cameras and legislative changes, saying all options remain under consideration.

“Everything is on the table,” he said. “Any measure we bring forward must be practical, enforceable and focused on saving lives rather than simply generating penalties.”

The initiative, he added, supports the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, which aims to cut road deaths and serious injuries in half by 2030.

Assistant Commissioner Mareno Hinds said the Royal Bahamas Police Force fully supports the campaign and has partnered with the Ministry of Transport to advance its goals. He said the police force’s annual strategy had already focused on awareness, education and enforcement, mirroring the ministry’s approach.

Mr Hinds announced that Bahamians will see an increased number of road checks and speed checks in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands as police seek to reduce dangerous driving behaviours.

“You will certainly see an increased number of road

checks, speed checks in both New Providence, Grand Bahama, and our family islands, so that we can eliminate the vices that plague us on our streets,” he said.

He described speeding as one of the leading causes of serious crashes and also identified driver distraction, particularly mobile phone use, as a growing threat.

“This may be the most unpopular statement that is made today, but the cell phone is the biggest enemy, it is our nemesis,” he said. “It is ingrained and engraved in our culture, and so we have to find ways and means to combat that by driving without it.”

He reiterated the police force’s commitment to the initiative, saying officers were “totally on board” with the campaign and would continue working alongside the Ministry of Transport to improve safety on the nation’s roads.

DIAMOND STUBBS

STANIA WEBB

BROTHERS Philip McCarron Christie, 24, Philip D’Caprio Christie, 23, and D’Angelo Christie, 20, were killed in a collision shortly

2am on September 2, 2024.

Massive Bimini blaze reignites anger over lack of resources

Bimini and Berry Islands

MP Randy Rolle said smoke inhalation forced “one or two” people to be airlifted to New Providence for medical observation. He said there were no serious injuries or deaths.

Residents said only one fire truck was available to respond — the truck stationed at the airport — and that it arrived late as residents battled to contain the blaze.

Naria Rolle said the fire began in her home around 5am with the sound of crackling near her daughter’s bed.

“It was the plug from the air condition and I woke her up, and I woke up,” she said. “I turned the breaker off immediately and I grabbed the fire extinguisher, but the pin would not pull.”

Ms Rolle said she and her daughter, who is seven months pregnant and already experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, tried to smother the flames before fleeing with only the clothes they were wearing.

Ms Rolle said her daughter was treated at the local clinic for several hours after the fire. She said she had no insurance and built the house from the ground up when she was 23. She said walking away from the house in the darkness left her with an indescribable feeling of emptiness, though she was grateful to the community and her MP for joining the fight against the flames.

“It’s still saddening, to lose everything,” she said. “People might say, you have your life.

Yeah, you have your life, but when you struggle most of your life, when you get to a place where you feel comfortable with your life and for that to just be yanked away from you, just in the blink of an eye? I’m a single parent, and I have a daughter in college. It’s just in an instant. And yes, you could rebuild, you could rebuild, but the scars still there, the memories that you lose, it’s still there. That’s your home.”

“We need financial help,

we need clothes, we need things to put on, we need a house, we need a roof over our head,” she added.

A livestream from the scene showed residents hauling buckets of water from the shoreline as the fire swallowed the structure and threatened to spread. Men could be seen on a rooftop trying to beat back the flames.

One resident questioned during the livestream whether the scale of the damage could have been reduced if proper firefighting equipment had been immediately available.

“I don’t know how many signs we need to get a working fire truck in Bimini, Bahamas, but the signs are everywhere,” the person said.

“Without a fire truck, it’s very hard to stop this raging fire,” the resident said, adding that two elderly residents lived in a nearby structure the community was trying to protect. This is hard for Bimini.”

Police said the fire was eventually brought under control with the help of volunteers, but the structures sustained extensive damage.

Bahamas Power and Light said power was

interrupted to Bailey Town and Canton Line because of the fire. Crews worked to repair a low-voltage circuit and power lines affected by the blaze. BPL later said power had been restored.

The scene echoed previous fires that exposed Bimini’s weak firefighting capacity.

In March 2023, a massive fire destroyed several structures and left 11 families homeless. Residents complained then that they had to fight the blaze with buckets and hoses and appealed to the government to station a working fire truck on the island.

Cecil Dames, who helped fight Wednesday’s fire, said Bimini needs a more practical solution than relying on a

conventional fire truck.

“We need action as in we need some kind of pumps and hoses,” Mr Dames said.

“We don’t need a fire truck. It’s too hard to maintain in Bimini with the elements.”

He said strategically placed pumps and hoses capable of drawing seawater would allow residents to respond faster when fires break out.

He said residents ultimately contained the fire themselves, but said that should not still be happening in 2026.

He said an airport fire truck eventually arrived and helped, but came late.

“It did help, but it ran out of water and had to leave and come back,” he said.

Alexia Duncombe, whose nephew, brother and cousins helped fight Wednesday’s fire, said the island appears trapped in the same crisis it faced in 2023.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and acting National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said islands like Bimini need pumps capable of drawing and pumping saltwater.

Government officials expect to acquire 20 fire trucks, but Mr Munroe said fire trucks can take 12 to 18 months to manufacture.

He emphasised the importance of household fire preparedness, noting that Ms Rolle had a fire extinguisher but could not get it to work.

“If she could have gotten it to work, the fire would not have spread and would have been put out,” he said.

He said one lesson from the blaze is that residents should ensure they have functioning fire extinguishers in their homes.

In a statement, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis expressed sympathy for those affected and said he directed that all available government resources be mobilised to help them.

The Ministry of Social Services said its team on the ground has begun providing immediate assistance to displaced residents. Assistance includes emergency shelter, food vouchers, counselling, clothing and other essential support services.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper and Social Services Minister Barbara Cartwright travelled to Bimini to assess the damage, meet affected residents and coordinate relief efforts.

FIVE structures were destroyed in a fire yesterday leaving residents frustrated over the lack of firefighting resources.

RESIDENTS formed a bucker brigade to use nearby salt water to battle the blaze in Bimini yesterday.

Crews offload rock to free grounded barge in Abaco

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

A BARGE that jammed the Marsh Harbour channel for about 24 hours was refloated yesterday after crews offloaded 1,200 tons of material, disrupting freight service and reigniting calls for urgent improvements to Abaco’s main port.

Great Abaco Cays Chief Councillor Jeremy Sweeting said the grounding exposed long-standing problems at the port, including the need for the channel to be widened and re-dredged.

He also said Marsh Harbour had reached the point where a pilot should be appointed to guide vessels into the port.

The barge ran aground around 1pm on Tuesday while entering the channel, according to William Weatherford, who led the effort to move it.

Mr Weatherford said four tugs initially tried to free the vessel at high tide, but failed. Crews then began offloading material, removing 1,200 tons of aggregate

rock between Tuesday night and yesterday morning before the tide helped them move the barge around 2pm.

“We got her off about 2pm today and she's at the dock now,” he said.

Mr Weatherford said the barge had been stuck for roughly 24 hours. He said he was not in contact with the barge’s owners, but communicated with the person importing the aggregate rock it was carrying.

He said the barge and its captain were new to the channel, adding that vessels entering the area must be careful.

“It's a big boat too, so, everything has to go exactly right and we do this all the time with different ships,” he said.

Mr Sweeting said at least one freight vessel cancelled its weekly freight run into New Providence because the barge was stuck in the channel.

BARGE loaded with aggregate had to be offloaded to free it after getting stuck in the channel at Marsh Harbour, blocking traffic for 24 hours.

He described the condition of the Marsh Harbour port as “unconscionable”, saying nearly seven years after Hurricane Dorian, the area still lacks proper port facilities.

Texas boy survives shark bite off Exuma, calls his older brother a hero

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

TWELVE-year-old shark attack victim Parker Roll has credited his 16-year-old brother with saving his life after the Texas boy was bitten while swimming off Staniel Cay, Exuma, during a family trip in late June.

Speaking to Good Morning America, Parker said he was “lucky to be alive” after a shark clamped onto him while he and his brother, Jack, were in the water during a tour of the Exuma Cays.

“I didn't really feel it at first because there's just so much adrenaline, but I remember looking down, and I just saw this head, and this head is well over a foot wide,” Parker said.

Jack initially thought the shark was a rock, but quickly realised what it was. Moments later, he heard what he described as an “ear-piercing scream”.

He sprang into action, using his swimsuit to slow the bleeding before carrying his brother toward the beach.

“I immediately took off my swimsuit because I was like, oh, we have to stop that bleeding,” Jack said.

“I ran over there, wrapped it on his leg, and then picked him up and started carrying him over to the beach.”

Their brother, Adam, then alerted crew

members, screaming for a first aid kit.

The crew helped carry Parker back to the boat for a 60-mile trip to shore with no cell service or radio contact. Parker was in severe pain throughout the journey.

“I've never felt pain like that because there's salt water, huge wounds, and there's tons of teeth marks,” Parker said. An ambulance took him to the hospital after the boat reached shore. He underwent surgery, received multiple stitches and suffered an injury to one of his toes, though his leg remained intact.

“I definitely consider myself very lucky as that shark could've easily taken my leg off,” Parker said.

His parents said everyone aboard the boat prayed during the journey back to shore because they did not know how the ordeal would end. They said doctors later told them they were optimistic Parker would make a full recovery. At the time of the interview, Parker said he could “kind of” walk short distances, though it remained painful. He said he looked forward to riding his dirt bike again.

Parker said Jack’s quick response saved him.

“I definitely consider him as my hero, as he stopped the bleeding and saved my life,” he said.

“Up until a couple months ago, port workers

along with customs officers did not have proper restroom facilities, 7 years later,” said Mr Sweeting, the Free National Movement’s 2026 candidate for Central

and South Abaco. “This is shameful and not acceptable given the untold tens of millions of dollars the government collects at that facility every year.”

The incident follows several barge groundings in Abaco in recent years.

Last November, a freight barge, the Brooklyn Bridge, drifted and ran aground on a shallow reef near Nunjack Cay in North Abaco after its steel towline connected to another vessel snapped. In September 2025, a sand barge, the Inagua Sea, drifted near reef systems off Leisure Lee and Treasure Cay before a high-powered tugboat removed it.

A heavily loaded commercial supply barge and tug also ran aground in Fowl Cays National Park, sparking a $5m legal battle and causing significant long-term damage to endangered coral.

PARKER ROLL of Friendswood, Texas, thought he was going to die after the shark attack. Photo: Roll Family

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.

Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207

News & General Information

ORG chief urges Bahamians to look beyond the headlines

EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHEN The Nassau Guardian’s Youri Kemp recently called me for the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG)’s comments on Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, I smiled because it wasn’t really a new conversation. The rankings had been released months earlier, and we had already discussed them. ORG’s perspective hasn’t changed.

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Long overdue road safety campaign

THERE was a saddening sight yesterday on Shirley Street.

A Tribune staff member was driving along behind another car that was weaving from side to side with young people sitting in the window frame on either side of the car, their legs inside and their bodies up above the roof. The car was clearly overcrowded – and barely yards away was the memorial to the five young people who died in a fatal crash last week.

For all the shock, all the outrage, all the despair, it seems that some will never learn the lesson.

A national road safety campaign launched yesterday will be aiming to make sure that people do learn that lesson.

Transport Minister Leon Lundy noted the recent Shirley Street crash – but it is far from the only fatal incident. The same day, a young woman died in Grand Bahama, then the next day a young man in Abaco and another young man in Nassau. There have been plenty more deadly crashes over the years – so this campaign is very welcome, and probably long overdue.

As the campaign’s slogan says, every road fatality is one too many.

The important part of the campaign is exactly what we discussed in this column after the crash – that it is not just education but also ready to consider practical steps.

Mr Lundy said there would be education and enforcement, with police working to prevent dangerous driving and increase compliance.

It is one thing to say that, of course, but it might well have a cost value attached – overtime hours for officers patrolling the streets in high speed areas for prolonged periods of time.

He also noted the public had called for tougher penalties, for speed cameras, and possible legislative changes.

Mr Lundy’s response to that?

“Everything is on the table.”

It is also a bi-partisan campaign. Minister of Youth and Sports Mario Bowleg teamed up with FNM Senator Rick Fox to release a video urging people to stay focused, slow down, put the phone away and don’t drink if you’re driving.

The Tribune endorses every single word of that.

Every night, when the newspaper goes to press, our staff work their way home. Time and time again, they see speeding drivers weaving around the street. One editor recalled encountering a woman so drunk she could barely turn the steering wheel of the car she was trying to manoeuver around the roundabout at Saunders Beach.

Equally often, we have seen many crashes over the years – plenty of which have ended up in the pages of this very newspaper.

Our reporters have also talked to all too many grieving families, each of which has been shattered by a deadly crash.

No one goes out of the house expecting they will be in a crash – but too many go out and behave in such a way and take such risks that there is a strong chance they will never come home again.

The families of Diamond Stubbs, Stania Webb, Keno Gordon Jr, Bertrica Brown and Evalina Johnson know that grief all too well right now. The survivors of the crash face their own challenges right now – while the driver in that Shirley Street incident is facing the court on charges of vehicular manslaughter.

Many of us know where the hotspots are for dangerous driving. The police and ambulance services certainly know the locations they are called out to time and time again. One of our staff members who lived near Go Slow Bend talked of the regularity with which you would hear the screech of tyres and the bang of a car hitting the wall – yet no speed cameras went up, no speed bumps were put in place.

We wholeheartedly encourage widespread support for this campaign. Speak up. Spread the word. Stand together.

And then let us take the next step – and tackle the dangerous roads themselves to find ways to slow people down.

This is absolutely a task that we should take on, as the national anthem we shall sing tomorrow at Independence Day celebrations, in love and unity.

We look forward to what comes next – and hope that by next year’s Independence Day, we can see a tangible difference, and save more lives.

Bring a referendum on public sex offender registry

EDITOR, The Tribune.

MAN, rapes and strangles 12-years-old girl off Faith Avenue (2024). Man beats, shoots, and kills the mother of his child in Yellow Elder (2024). Man accused of raping his 91-year-old mother on Mount Royal Avenue (2026). My question to our Parliamentarians is simple: What more will it take? I want to make it clear that our politicians have the power and soundness of mind, to come together and shift the trajectory of these outcomes with the passing of ONE well-written bill. There was a comment made last week during the budget debate that stuck with me:

‘Where are the outcomes?’The Hon Sen Rick Fox asked. He was making a critique regarding government spending— although I am posing this question under much different, more grievous circumstances. It is infuriating to watch as this rich, powerful, elected (by a measly 50% of the electorate) group, fall asleep in the House of Parliament, argue about fiscal matters, throw frivolous, often inappropriate jabs at one another, and then hang out afterward while Bahamians young, old, male or female, cannot exist without incurring the risk of sexual violence. There are people sitting in our prison for the

rape and sexual assaults of people as young as 10 years old (2021).

This reality morphs the cavalier attitude toward non-economic matters, social policy, and community funding into an ugly, sinister boogeyman I cannot bear to look at. So, to that boogeyman I say this: Host a national referendum surrounding the creation of a public sex offender’s registry. Since you obviously do not have the time to resolve these matters, allow the people to do it for you!

ASHLI V BURROWS Nassau, July 1, 2026

The Bahamas being ranked as the fourth least corrupt country in the Americas is both encouraging and challenging. It is encouraging because it reflects that, relative to many of our neighbors, our institutions continue to have strengths worth protecting. It is challenging because the report itself also points to serious vulnerabilities, including campaign finance, cronyism, and institutional weaknesses, that deserve our urgent attention. Both things can be true at the same time.

The response the article received was very interesting. More than 140 comments followed the social media posting of the article. For a governance story, that’s remarkable. It shows that corruption is not some abstract policy issue reserved for politicians, lawyers, or civil society organizations like ORG. Bahamians care deeply about it because they see how it touches everyday life. They connect it to the roads they drive on, the schools their children attend, the healthcare they receive, whether opportunities feel fair, whether government contracts are awarded transparently, whether the rules apply equally to everyone, and ultimately whether they can trust the institutions meant to serve them.

Reading through the comments, however, I couldn’t help noticing something else. Many people appeared to react to the headline, perhaps noting the smiling photograph of me beside it, without ever reading Mr Kemp’s article. Some assumed ORG was claiming corruption wasn’t a problem. Others took the international ranking as evidence that everything is fine. Many others dismissed the ranking altogether because it didn’t match their personal experience.

That wasn’t our point. ORG’s position has always been that a ranking is not a finish line. It is an opportunity to strengthen what works while addressing what doesn’t. Countries do not develop sustainable solutions by pretending problems don’t exist. They create opportunities for social and economic growth by building institutions that are transparent, accountable, and trusted.

What struck me most was the contrast in this response to the public response to the National Budget Debate happening at the same time. One hundred and forty-two comments related to corruption appeared within days of a newspaper story. Yet during one of the most important public policy debates of the year, we saw very little public advocacy or raising of concern for adequately funding the very institutions designed to prevent corruption. There was no comparable public campaign calling for the full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. There was little

discussion about ensuring the Independent Commission of Investigations has the resources it needs. Few voices called for stronger whistleblower protections or greater investment in the offices responsible for transparency and accountability. If corruption concerns us as much as those comments suggest, shouldn’t those conversations generate the same level of public engagement?

I can’t help but think there is a connection between this silence and what we witnessed in this year’s general election, when The Bahamas experienced the lowest voter turnout in our modern history. Both point to the same underlying challenge: declining public trust and a growing sense among many citizens that their voices will not make a difference. When people lose confidence that participation matters, they are less likely to vote, less likely to engage in public consultations, and less likely to speak up during critical moments such as the National Budget debate. Rebuilding that trust may be one of the most important challenges facing our country.

At ORG, we have spent a great deal of time thinking about why this happens. Part of it is that budgets are technical. They’re long, complicated, and often feel inaccessible. Many people understandably assume someone else is paying attention. But we believe there is something deeper at play. Many Bahamians have grown up believing that speaking up won’t change anything. Others worry that being publicly critical will be viewed as political, affect employment, strain relationships, or invite unnecessary conflict in a country where everyone knows everyone. Some simply become exhausted by the constant cycle of controversy and disengage altogether.

Those feelings are understandable. But they also create exactly the environment where poor governance can flourish. Democracy depends on more than elections. It depends on citizens participating between elections. It depends on people reading beyond headlines, asking questions, making submissions, attending consultations, writing their representatives, expecting answers, and insisting that the institutions designed to protect the public interest actually function as intended.

That is why ORG works so hard to encourage and educate Bahamians to participate in governance. People sometimes think our work is primarily about exposing problems. It isn’t. Our work is about helping build a culture where ordinary Bahamians feel that their voice matters, that public policy should reflect informed public input, that consultation should be genuine rather than symbolic, and that transparency and accountability are not political slogans but everyday expectations. Whether we are advocating for Freedom of Information, stronger environmental consultation, procurement reform, campaign finance transparency,

youth engagement, or better local government, the goal is always the same: to strengthen participatory governance.

Good governance doesn’t begin in Parliament. It begins in our communities. It begins when citizens believe their opinions have value, when they become informed before they become outraged, and when they see participation as a responsibility rather than an occasional reaction to controversy.

Over the past six months alone, public discussion has included allegations involving “Politician #1,” bribery within the uniformed services, concerns involving Customs Officers, questions surrounding Bahamas Power and Light, and other matters that have understandably affected public confidence. Whether those allegations ultimately prove true or false is precisely why strong institutions matter and need to be in place and fully resourced. Independent investigations into corruption claims matter.

Freedom of Information matters.

Whistleblower protections matter. Transparent procurement matters. Independent oversight matters. These are not mechanisms created because we expect every public official to act improperly. They are created because public confidence depends on everyone knowing that when questions arise, there are trusted systems to answer them fairly, independently, and transparently.

The online discussion following Mr. Kemp’s article showed that Bahamians care. Now the challenge is turning that concern into something more lasting. At ORG, we often say, “Get Informed. Get Involved.” Those are not just words. They are an invitation. Read beyond the headline.

Understand the issue. Ask questions. Make your voice heard. Support reforms that strengthen our institutions regardless of which party forms the government. Participate in consultations. Hold all leaders to the same standard.

And if you’re not sure where to start, ORG is here to help. Over the next five years, we will continue offering free, accessible tools, community conversations, educational resources, and opportunities for Bahamians to become informed, engaged, and confident participants in our democracy. Our goal isn’t simply to comment on governance issues. It is to help build a stronger culture of participation so that more people feel empowered to make their own contributions to the decisions that shape our country’s future.

Changing the culture of governance in The Bahamas won’t happen through one report, one election, or one organisation. It will happen when more Bahamians believe that good governance belongs to all of us and that democracy is something we build together every day.

MATTHEW AUBRY Executive Director, The Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG). Nassau, July 8, 2026.

Save our trees

EDITOR, The Tribune.

A relative of mine works at a government junior school in the west. She told me how she noticed that certain trees in the back of the school were marked with Xs. She told me that she felt that the trees would be cut down over the summer. I cannot believe this because the government is always talking about climate change. Trees are extremely important to prevent flooding and they are habitats for many birds. Trees also increase oxygen in the air and remove carbon dioxide.

Trees also provide shade for students during recess. The temperatures here in the Bahamas are hot and can be dangerous. Why would a school cut down trees ?

Trimming a few limbs is understandable but taking away shade and oxygen from the air is foolish. The Ministry of Education needs to ensure that the trees in our schools are protected.

SAVE OUR TREES Nassau, July 7, 2026.

Judge loosens bail for author fighting Swiss extradition

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court judge has loosened some bail conditions for an American author fighting extradition over allegations that she kidnapped her son from Switzerland, but refused to remove safeguards aimed at keeping her in The Bahamas.

Justice Darron Ellis ruled that Barbara Vivian Murphy, also known as Barbara Lynn Stcherbatcheff, no longer has to report to police three times a week and may remain out until midnight instead of 8pm.

However, he refused to remove her electronic monitoring device or reduce her $150,000 bail, finding that the seriousness of the allegations, her international connections and the pending extradition proceedings justified continued restrictions.

Murphy is wanted in Switzerland over allegations that she took her son, Valentin Stankowski, to The Bahamas in February 2023 in breach of Swiss custody arrangements.

Swiss authorities allege Murphy was permitted to visit

the child but was barred from travelling abroad with him. After a criminal complaint was filed, an Interpol notice and arrest warrant were issued.

Murphy was granted bail on April 2, 2025, under strict conditions. She was ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device, report to the Airport Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, observe an 8pm to 7am curfew, surrender all travel documents and remain on New Providence unless the court granted permission for her to leave.

In asking the court to vary those conditions, Murphy said she had fully complied with every bail requirement since her release and argued that some restrictions had become unnecessarily burdensome.

She said the 8pm curfew blocked her from accepting paid evening work as a pianist and member of a local band, limiting her ability to earn money. She also argued that the electronic monitoring device interfered with her long-distance running and increased her risk of injury.

Murphy relied on several character references. Musician Jennifer Fulton said the curfew

prevented her from performing at restaurants and hotels in the evening. Businessman Henrik Moos said the monitoring device restricted Murphy’s ability to run and take part in activities with her running club.

The Rt Rev’d Laish Boyd, Bishop of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, also submitted a reference describing Murphy as an active church member who volunteers regularly and contributes positively to the community.

The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the application, arguing that Murphy remained a significant flight risk.

Prosecutors pointed to the seriousness of the extradition request, her alleged international connections, concerns about travel documents and her lack of permanent immigration status in The Bahamas. They also said the extradition proceedings remain active and are scheduled to continue later this month.

Justice Ellis accepted that the allegations and pending proceedings required continued safeguards.

“The seriousness of the allegations, the existence

of pending extradition proceedings, and the Applicant's international connections are all matters properly relied upon by the Respondent in assessing flight risk,” he said.

The judge also acknowledged prosecutors’ concerns about Murphy’s immigration status and international mobility, but said there was no evidence that she had breached bail.

“There is no evidence before this Court that the Applicant has breached any condition of bail. There is no evidence that she has failed to report, attempted to leave the jurisdiction, interfered with witnesses, or obstructed the extradition proceedings,” Justice Ellis wrote.

The court found that the 8pm curfew caused genuine hardship

and accepted that Murphy’s musical performances could provide a legitimate source of income. Justice Ellis extended the curfew, allowing her to remain out until midnight while still requiring her to return home overnight.

He also cut her reporting requirements from three days a week to two, ruling that reporting every Monday and Friday remained enough to monitor her presence in the jurisdiction. However, Justice Ellis refused to reduce the $150,000 bail, finding that the bond remained a meaningful incentive for Murphy to attend court and obey the terms of her release. He also refused to remove the electronic monitoring device.

“The electronic monitoring device is an important safeguard given the Applicant's international connections and the pending extradition proceedings,” the judge said. Under the revised order, Murphy must report to the Airport Police Station every Monday and Friday before 6pm and observe a curfew from midnight to 7am daily. She must continue wearing the electronic monitoring device, surrender all travel documents and remain on New Providence unless the court permits otherwise.

The extradition proceedings remain before the courts. Murphy was warned that any breach of her bail conditions could lead to her bail being revoked and a warrant being issued for her arrest.

HUMAN RIGHTS BAHAMAS SEEKS INDEPENDENT POLICE SLAP PROBE

from page one

inside a packed gymnasium.

One officer holds both of the man’s hands while another officer, dressed in khaki, pats him down and ruffles his pants.

Moments later, the officer in khaki slaps the man, prompting an audible gasp from spectators.

Police had responded to an altercation in the stands.

Defence claims ‘lovemaking’, prosecutors say gunpoint rape

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE defence called it consensual “lovemaking”. Prosecutors called it rape at gunpoint.

Both sides made closing addresses yesterday in the rape trial of Kennedy Ingraham before Justice Jeannine Weech-Gomez.

Prosecutors allege Ingraham raped a 36-year-old woman, whose name is being withheld, after giving her a ride in western New Providence around 9am on March 20, 2023.

They allege he took the woman to a residence in Coral Harbour, where the assault happened in his car, before driving her to work at a grocery store.

The defence argued the sex was consensual and transactional, claiming the complainant fabricated the allegation after Ingraham failed to pay her the $250 they had allegedly agreed on beforehand.

Defence attorney Sonia Timothy Knowles said the prosecution bore the burden of proving its case. While accepting that sex took place, she said this was not a case of rape.

Ms Knowles recalled the complainant’s evidence that

she had just dropped off her child and was seeking a ride to work on Bacardi Road when she accepted a ride from Ingraham.

The defence questioned why a woman would get into the front seat of a car with a man she did not know. The complainant told the court she tried to sit in the back, but said Ingraham insisted she sit in the front.

Ms Knowles described the sexual intercourse as “lovemaking”, not rape. She said Ingraham tried to kiss the complainant and fondle her breast, arguing that a rapist would not be so tender with a victim.

The defence also referred to evidence that when the complainant asked whether Ingraham had a condom, he told her he would give her a “second child”.

The complainant alleged Ingraham choked her and threatened her with a gun.

After the complainant was dropped off at work, the defence questioned why she did not immediately tell her coworkers about the alleged assault.

The defence called the complainant a liar and questioned why the torn shirt she said she wore that day was never produced in court.

Ms Knowles said the complainant, who speaks Creole,

pretended not to understand English well. She noted that although the complainant used an interpreter in court, the defence alleged she and Ingraham spoke at length in English during the car ride about work, children and his phone number. The defence also noted that the complainant had lived and worked in The Bahamas for seven years.

Ms Knowles questioned why Ingraham would drop the complainant at the front door of the grocery store if he had raped her, and noted that no security footage from the store was exhibited in court.

The defence also questioned why the complainant did not call for help when she arrived at the store, and why she relied on a male pastor during the intimate process of a rape examination.

Ms Knowles argued the complainant had opportunities to escape, including when the gun was allegedly tossed aside during the alleged assault. She also questioned why Ingraham would take the complainant to his Coral Harbour home if she could later identify it to police.

The defence said the uniform at the house was a female immigration uniform

and claimed Ingraham did not use it to intimidate the complainant.

Ms Knowles acknowledged that Ingraham could not be ruled out as a possible contributor to mixed DNA found on a vaginal swab taken from the complainant. However, she said the complainant’s physical examination showed no abrasions, bruises, tenderness, choke marks or bite marks.

She said the complainant’s lengthy evidence in court contrasted with the “solemn” state a doctor recorded during the rape examination. She also said the complainant did not tick choking or threats on the hospital rape form, despite testifying that Ingraham did both.

Ms Knowles called the complainant “inconsistent” and said there was no medical evidence of rape or a struggle.

She said the allegation was made because the complainant wanted payment for sex and asked the jury to return a not guilty verdict.

Prosecutor Shaneka Carey countered that the complainant did not consent to sex.

Ms Carey said DNA evidence proved sexual intercourse occurred and

noted that Ingraham admitted having sex with the complainant.

She said Ingraham emerged with an immigration jacket after stopping at his house, allegedly told the complainant he was an officer, and threatened to kill her with a gun if she did not have sex with him.

The prosecutor said Ingraham pretended to be an immigration officer to manipulate the complainant. She rejected the defence’s claim that the encounter was “lovemaking”, saying the alleged use of a gun made it an act of fear.

Ms Carey said the complainant did what she had to do to survive and tried to make the best of a bad situation by asking Ingraham to use a condom, which he did not.

She said the complainant first disclosed the rape to someone she trusted.

The prosecutor said choking does not always leave visible marks, especially on dark-skinned people.

Ms Carey also rejected the defence’s suggestion that the complainant ripped her own shirt, saying multiple witnesses, including police officers, testified that they saw her in a ripped shirt.

She said the defence claimed the complainant alleged rape because Ingraham failed to pay her $250 for sex, but questioned why no call or text logs were produced to support that claim.

Ms Carey said it was unreasonable to expect the complainant to jump from the car, arguing she could have injured herself.

The prosecution also questioned why Ingraham allegedly tried to hide the car used in the alleged assault by dropping it at his sister’s house the day after the rape, despite having used it for months before.

Ms Carey said accepting a ride was not an invitation for sex.

Addressing the complainant’s use of an interpreter, Ms Carey said the complainant could understand some English but could not respond in long phrases.

She said the complainant took the stand, said she was raped, and had to relive the experience.

The prosecution said Ingraham did not rely on charm, but used deception by wearing his fiancée’s immigration uniform and intimidating the complainant with a gun.

Ms Carey said the complainant went from work to the police station, where officers testified she cried.

She told jurors not to consider the defendant’s or complainant’s nationality, saying justice belongs to everyone.

The prosecution claimed the complainant’s freedom was taken when Ingraham allegedly threatened and raped her.

Ms Carey invited the jury to return a guilty verdict, saying it was the only verdict justice and common sense permitted.

Indiana Fitzgerald and Crystal Stuart also represented Ingraham.

Betty Wilson also prosecuted the case.

Marine ordered to pay 12 years of outstanding shotgun fees

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

A DEFENCE Force officer was ordered to pay 12 years of outstanding shotgun licensing fees yesterday, while his co-accused was fined $6,400 after police found a weapon and drugs at a Trinidad Avenue home last weekend. Prosecutors said officers found a black Escort shotgun and five shotgun shells in a bedroom closet around 10am on July 5.

Kareem Rolle, 42, a Defence Force marine, reportedly directed officers to the weapon. Prosecutors said he had not paid licensing fees for the shotgun since 2014.

During the same search, police found 3.2lbs of marijuana in 12 sealed packages inside a blackand-green camouflage bag. The drugs, which have an estimated street value of $3,225, were attributed to Deangelo Russell, 38.

Rolle alone was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition. He pleaded not guilty before Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms. Russell pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply before the same magistrate.

After Russell accepted sole responsibility for the drugs, the charges against Rolle and the remaining co-accused — Malcolm Rolle, 38, Alexandra Smith, 42, and Ashney Davis, 35 — were withdrawn.

Rolle was granted a conditional discharge. Under the terms of the order, he must pay $2,000 and fully settle his outstanding firearm licensing fees before his release.

Russell was fined $6,400 or risk 18 months in prison. He was also placed on 18 months’ probation. If he breaches probation, he faces three months in prison.

Russell must pay half of the fine before his release. Sergeant 2257 Wilkinson prosecuted the case.

Investigator testifies in trial over 2020 assault on police

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE investigator in the case of a man accused of pulling a gun on two police officers on Mutton Fish Drive in 2020 testified yesterday that he instructed crime scene officers to collect projectiles from a home for evidential purposes.

Superintendent Keno Demeritte testified before Justice Loren Klein in the trial of Lasheno Cox, who faces two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Cox is accused of exiting a vehicle and pointing

a gun at Inspector Jermaine Flowers and Police Constable 4856 Travis Davis on November 5, 2020.

Supt Demeritte said he spoke with the officers involved in the incident around noon that day. He said the officers had about 13 to 14 rounds in the magazines of their service weapons, which were collected.

Supt Demeritte said the officers walked him through the scene around 1pm. He told the defence he was aware that a suspect had been shot by police.

Supt Demeritte said he saw projectiles in the wall

of a residence and asked crime scene officers to collect them for evidential purposes. He could not tell the defence when Officer Bell, who previously testified during the trial, arrived at the scene.

Asked by the defence why he did not ask crime scene officers to look for blood at the scene, knowing someone had been shot, Supt Demeritte said crime scene officers are trained to look for blood at the start of any investigation. Basil Cumberbatch prosecuted the case. Ian Jupp represented the accused.

Man remanded over fatal stabbing and house fire

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 25-YEAR-OLD man accused of fatally stabbing a 63-year-old man and setting fire to his Lee Street home last month was remanded to prison yesterday.

Prosecutors allege Anthon Rolle fatally stabbed Perry Cox at his Nassau Village home and stole his gold Lexus GS350 on June 17. They also allege Rolle set fire to Cox’s home.

Shortly after 2am, police and fire services were alerted to a fire at a white,

single-storey stone duplex with lime-green trim. While trying to contain the blaze, officers forced their way into the affected apartment and found Cox lying unresponsive near the front door. He was removed from the residence, but EMS personnel later confirmed that he showed no signs of life. Police said his body had apparent stab wounds. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the structure sustained extensive damage.

Rolle was not required to enter a plea to murder,

arson of a dwelling, and stealing when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. He was told the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment.

Rolle was also informed of his right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his VBI is served on October 22. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case. Keevon Maynard represented the accused.

Women on bail over dog attack

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO women who allegedly obstructed police officers on Balls Alley and allowed a dog to attack an officer earlier this week were chared and granted bail yesterday.

McPhee alone pleaded not guilty to additional charges of assaulting a police officer and failing to keep a dangerous dog under control.

Inspector Cordero Farrington, the prosecutor, did not object to bail. The women were each granted $500 bail with one or two sureties.

Under the terms of their bail, they must sign in at the Central Police Station on the 28th day of each month by 7pm. They return for trial on November 19.

Levan Johnson represented the accused.

Prosecutors allege Karen McPhee, 44, and Marja Lamm, 32, obstructed Corporal 3890 King and Police Constable 4680 Carey as they carried out their duties at a residence on July 6. During the same incident, McPhee allegedly failed to restrain her dog, allowing it to attack PC Carey. She is also accused of assaulting the same officer. McPhee and Lamm pleaded not guilty to obstruction before Deputy Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville.

OFFICERS INTERVENE AS MAN TRIES TO HARM HIMSELF

A 22-YEAR-OLD man allegedly tried to harm himself while in police custody at a New Providence police station on Tuesday night, prompting officers to intervene and call emergency medical services.

Police said officers conducting a routine inspection of the cellblock shortly after 10pm found the man with his shirt wrapped around his neck.

Officers reportedly intervened and requested Emergency Medical Services. The man was assessed at the station before being taken to the hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

RUSSIAN AIRLIFTED AFTER WORK RELATED ACCIDENT ABOARD SHIP

A 31-YEAR-OLD Russian national was airlifted to New Providence after reportedly falling about 30 feet inside the engine room of an oil tanker in Bahamian waters on Tuesday.

Police in Bimini said officers at the Alice Town Police Station were notified around 4pm that a man had fallen aboard the vessel and was being taken to the Bimini Community Clinic for medical assistance. The vessel arrived off Bimini around 4.45pm, and the injured man, accompanied by a relative, was assisted to the clinic.

Police said a doctor determined that he had suffered a broken leg, a broken right arm, and possible internal injuries.

He was later airlifted to New Providence, accompanied by his relative, for further medical care. His condition was unknown up to press time.

Police later boarded the vessel about 80 nautical miles offshore.

Initial investigations revealed that the man was working inside the engine room around 7am when he reportedly fell about 30 feet, sustaining serious injuries.

BCC president urges unity for country’s 53rd Independence

By Cara Hunt Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Christian Council has urged Bahamians across the country to unite in worship, thanksgiving and prayer on Sunday in observance of the country’s 53rd anniversary.

President of the Bahamas Christian Council, Pastor Mario Moxey, said the anniversary offers Bahamians an opportunity to reflect on the nation's journey while recommitting themselves to the values that have sustained the country since Independence.

"As we celebrate the 53rd Anniversary of Independence of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, we pause with gratitude to honour the sacrifices, vision and determination of those

who came before us," Pastor Moxey said. "Their courage helped shape a nation founded upon faith in Almighty God, resilience in the face of challenges, and hope for a brighter future."

The theme for this year is "Celebrating Our Heritage, Shaping Our Tomorrow," and Pastor Moxey said this reminds Bahamians that the nation's greatest strength lies not only in its history, but in the future they are building together.

He urged Bahamians to reject division and embrace unity, saying the country's future will be strengthened through collaboration, service and hope.

He also encouraged citizens to draw wisdom from the past, courage from the present and confidence in God as they work together to build stronger

communities, healthier families and greater opportunities for future generations.

Pastor Moxey concluded his Independence message by encouraging Bahamians to move forward "as one people, united in purpose, strengthened by faith," expressing confidence that the nation's best days are still ahead and praying for God's continued blessings upon the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

The public is invited to attend the the National Ecumenical Service and Cultural Show, which takes place Thursday, July 9, at 7.30 pm at Clifford Park.

The service, a longstanding Independence tradition dating back to 1973, will bring together pastors and church leaders from a wide cross-section of Christian

denominations for a national service of worship, prayer and thanksgiving, followed by a cultural showcase celebrating Bahamian heritage. Further Independence events include the People’s Rush through the streets of downtown Nassau leading to Clifford Park, where the Family Fun Day begins at 5pm.

Admission is free, with families from across the country invited to enjoy an evening of fellowship, entertainment and national pride. Gates for the Independence Concert open at 5.30 pm, with performances beginning at 6 pm featuring many of the country's leading Bahamian entertainers.

The celebrations culminate on Sunday, July 12, designated Independence Sunday, when churches throughout The Bahamas will join in services of thanksgiving, prayer and reflection, asking God's continued guidance and blessings upon the nation.

SANDS BRINGS BACK 'DRINK & WIN' WITH $10,000 CASH GRAND PRIZE

Building on the success of its popular annual Drink & Win promotion, Sands Brewery is once again rewarding loyal consumers across The Bahamas - this time with its biggest cash grand prize yet, a chance to win $10,000 in cash as its grand prize, along with weekly giveaways starting July 1.

Last year, Sands Beer brought hundreds of fans to downtown Nassau for the ‘Sandsational Finale’ at Smuggler's Square, celebrating the conclusion of its five-month Drink & Win campaign and rewarding three lucky winners. The grand prize—a brand-new 2025 fully loaded Yamaha Jet Ski—was awarded to Harold Wilson of Grand Bahama, who entered through Transit Liquor Store in Freeport.

"I was knocked out sleeping after a long travel day when the phone rang," Wilson laughed after learning he had won. "My wife said, 'You won!' and I said,

'You sure that's what he said?' We kept asking each other over and over. When it finally sank in, man...I was so happy. The first thing I did when I got home that day was crack a cold Sands Light, my favourite. I've never won anything like this in my life."

Also celebrating were Cyril Hall of Rock Sound, Eleuthera, who won $4,000, and Clarence Newton of New Providence, who took home $1,000 after entering through Jimmy's Wines & Spirits on Carmichael Road. Building on that excitement, Sands Brewery has listened to what customers have been asking for and this year, customers who purchase a six-pack of Sands, Sands Light, or Pink Grapefruit Radler from any Jimmy’s Wines and Spirits location or participating retailer will be eligible to win weekly prizes and will also be entered into the Pop and Redeem Reloaded promotion for $10,000 in cashgrand prize.

According to Joel Smith, Sands Brand Manager, the decision to award cash instead of another major recreational prize came directly from consumer feedback. "We're always excited to give back to our loyal Sands drinkers. We've heard the requests over the years—people telling us, 'Cash is King.' They wanted to see a cash grand prize, and we listened."

He believes the change will make the promotion even more exciting. "Everybody loves cash, and everybody can use it. It's a busy time of year with summer expenses, back-toschool preparations, and before you know it, Christmas is around the corner. We thought this was the perfect time to give someone the chance to win $10,000."

Joel Smith also expressed his appreciation to consumers across the country who have helped make Sands one of The Bahamas' favourite beers. "The

success of the Sands brand throughout The Bahamas is something we truly appreciate. Whether we're travelling to regattas, festivals, or events across the islands, we see the incredible support Sands drinkers continue to show our truly Bahamian product. We want to sincerely thank

everyone who chooses Sands and invite even more people to enter this year's promotion. Last year we celebrated winners from Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and New Providence. This year, we can't wait to see whose name we'll be calling next."

The ‘Pop and Redeem

Reloaded’ promotion is now underway. “Its like they say, you can’t win if you don’t play,” said Smith. “You have until September 30th to get your entries in at any Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits locations and participating accounts in The Bahamas, where we sell Sands!”

BAHAMASA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT PASTOR MARIO MOXEY

What to know about Nigel Farage’s dramatic resignation and political gambit

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

NIGEL Farage says the political establishment is out to stop him. But the Reform UK leader’s attempt to prove it has not gone to plan.

Facing awkward questions about his finances, the anti-immigration politician dramatically announced that he’s quitting Parliament in order to run again, a move critics denounced as a ploy to dodge a parliamentary probe. His resignation as a lawmaker became official on Wednesday.

Farage said the special election will be “people versus the establishment.” But his opponents aren’t playing ball. All the major political parties say they will not field candidates against Farage, leaving him to run all but unopposed.

The gambit could backfire further if an investigation into his finances continues and creates a scenario requiring a second special election.

Here’s what to know about a dramatic development in British politics and what comes next.

Farage is a skilled political provocateur

Farage only became a British lawmaker two years ago, winning election to Parliament after seven failed attempts, and has led a series of fractious hard-right political parties. But he is arguably one of the most influential politicians of

recent decades. His obsession with taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union helped turn Brexit from a fringe cause to a reality. More recently, he has tapped into anxieties about immigration and social change in a way that echoes his ally, U.S. President Donald Trump, and European populists. Farage has capitalized on — critics say stoked — concerns about migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats,

which he has called an invasion, and alleges that white people face discrimination from police.

Reform UK holds just eight of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, but consistently leads opinion polls and was the big winner in local and regional elections in May that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the hands of his own Labour Party.

If the pattern holds, Farage could become prime minister after the

next election, due by 2029.

The politician’s finances are under scrutiny

Farage has many sources of income other than a lawmaker’s salary, including hawking gold bullion, hosting a TV current affairs show, public speaking and recording personal video messages on the Cameo website.

Parliament’s standards watchdog is investigating a potentially rule-breaking donation of 5 million pounds ($6.7 million) from Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire. Farage says the money was a personal gift he used to fund his personal security and came before he was elected to the House of Commons. Newly elected lawmakers must declare gifts worth more than 300 pounds ($400) received in the previous 12 months if they are related to political activities.

Farage is also facing questions about his financial relationship with George Cottrell, an aristocratic crypto-gambling entrepreneur who served a U.S. prison sentence for fraud.

A finding of wrongdoing could lead to Farage being suspended from Parliament, which in turn could trigger a special election for his seaside seat of Clacton in eastern England.

Winning an election won’t end questions about finances

Rather than await the outcome, Farage made the first move by triggering an election himself. But if Farage wins, as seems highly likely, the standards inquiry is set to resume. If it finds Farage broke the rules, there could be another Clacton election within months.

Farage has said he is frustrated and fed up with politics. He has a history of walking away from parties he led. He stepped down from both the UK Independence Party and its successor, the Brexit Party, in the last decade.

Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, says he suspects Farage will stay put to lead Reform into the next election.

“Fighting and winning a by-election is perhaps his best hope of suggesting to people that he is still very much a man alone, fighting the establishment,” Bale said.

Farage accuses opponents of skullduggery

Farage insists he has “done nothing wrong” and is the victim of dirty tricks by his political foes and “constant demonisation” by the media. Bale said the snap election allows him to distract

attention away from allegations about his finances.

But he said Farage risks being seen “as a self-pitying, angry guy on an ego trip who is determined to distract people from some awkward facts.”

Opponents called the move a stunt and a sign Farage is on the ropes. Reform UK has lost three consecutive special elections that it hoped to win, a possible sign its support may be sagging. The most recent loss was to Labour’s Andy Burnham, who is all but certain to succeed Starmer as prime minister within weeks.

Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party all said they would not run against Farage.

“He’s run himself into a cul-de-sac and it was a stunt,” Starmer said Wednesday. The prime minister said Farage is “up to his neck in sleaze and he doesn’t want to answer questions about it.”

The garbage can that could block a path back to Parliament

So far only one candidate has announced plans to run against Farage: Count Binface, a comedian with a trash can on his head.

Jon Harvey is the man under the can, a self-described 5,000-year-old intergalactic space warrior who is a perennial candidate with no expectation of winning in the UK’s highest-profile elections. He has run against former Conservative Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and, most recently, Burnham.

Dressed like a character in a low-budget sci-fi film, Binface offers offbeat policies catering to locals, such as synchronizing traffic lights on a particularly busy street or moving the hand dryer in the Crown & Treaty Pub in Uxbridge “to a more sensible location.” A standing pledge is to cap croissant prices at 1.10 pounds ($1.47).

Binface told the BBC on Wednesday that his main appeal in Clacton would be that “I’m not Nigel Farage.” He said the lack of other candidates said more about them than him.

“Are they running scared from old Binny, or do they think that Nigel’s running a cunning stunt?” he said.

Photo: Thomas Krych/AP