The Tribune hoUse & hoMe
US hitS oUt at China after hoSpital deal
UK also offered funds - but no reply from Bahamas government
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Davis administra-
tion sidelined a British offer
to fund a new hospital and signed a $195m deal with China last week, drawing US warnings about the risks of Chinese investment.
The UK High Commission told The Tribune that its proposal, made earlier this year through UK Export Finance, was intended to match or beat
China’s terms on project cost, construction timeline, and repayment conditions. “As well as the terms being competitive to that of the original Chinese offer, British companies had recent experience of building in the region successfully, and these hospitals were built to be fully compatible with European and American-provided medical equipment and European
PM: rules out change to ga M ing legislation
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip
“Brave” Davis on Friday welcomed the political ambitions of Island Luck
co-founder Sebas Bastian but ruled out changing the law that bars people with
gaming licences from serving in Cabinet.
Describing Mr Bastian as a “successful young businessman” with an “innovative mind”, Mr Davis said he believes the entrepreneur could contribute meaningfully to
A
welcome jobs boost in GB as Celebration Key opens to fanfare
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
CARNIVAL Cruise Line
unveiled its $600m Celebration Key to more than 8,000 Bahamians this weekend,
offering a first look at what is expected to become one of the region’s most visited cruise destinations and a powerful economic engine for Grand Bahama.
More than 500 people are employed at Celebration
Key, with more than 95 percent being Bahamian and over 70 percent from Grand Bahama. Mr Fernandez noted additional jobs are being created
Two Bahamians believed dead in drug-related incident in Haiti
BY LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
By NEIL HARTNELL
CABLE
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell confirmed his ministry had been notified of the deaths, but said officials are still awaiting details from Haitian police. One of the victims is believed to be Shadrack
AT least two Bahamians are believed to have been killed in Haiti — including a well-known Moore’s Island man, The Tribune has learned. However, last night, Bahamian officials were saying that the reports remained unconfirmed.
A mAss was held yesterday to celebrate the 180th anniversary of St Agnes Church.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Bahamas signs $195m deal with China for hospital
and American-trained doctors,” the High Commission said.
“The High Commission believed the offer was received warmly and, because of repeated delays and change in terms on the Chinese side, they were asked by the Prime Minister to make the offer directly to the Minister of Health. They did so, and the offer was followed up in a letter to the government of The Bahamas shortly afterwards.”
The Tribune understands the Davis administration ultimately opted not to pursue the UK’s offer.
In a statement over the weekend, the United States reiterated its long-standing concern over China’s expanding role in the region. “Chinese investments in the Caribbean typically benefit elites, not the people, leaving countries with shoddy or incomplete projects and unsustainable debt to China, jeopardising their development and sovereignty,” said US chargé d’affaires Kimberly Furnish. “The United States Embassy will continue to work with the Government of The Bahamas so they can make informed decisions about interactions with China.”
The newly signed
agreement includes a 20-year loan from the Chinese Export-Import Bank, covering 73 percent of the project’s cost — approximately $195m — at a two percent interest rate, with a five-year grace period. The remaining $72m is expected to be raised through local or international financing, or a mix of both.
Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville announced at Friday’s signing ceremony that the hospital’s total cost had been reduced from $290m to $267m following a technical review by Chinese engineers. The savings, he said, stemmed from a recommendation to switch
“Chinese investments in the Caribbean typically benefit elites, not the people, leaving countries with shoddy or incomplete projects and unsustainable debt to China, jeopardising their development and sovereignty.”
- US chargé d’affaires Kimberly Furnish
from fire-resistant steel to reinforced concrete.
The hospital, to be built on 50 acres in the Perpall Tract, is expected to take 31 to 36 months to complete.
The 200-bed facility will primarily serve women and children, featuring paediatric wards, emergency and intensive care units, surgical theatres, diagnostic labs, and mass casualty infrastructure.
Once operational, maternal and adolescent services currently housed at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) will move to the new site.
The vacated space at PMH will then be repurposed for expanded adult care, including dialysis and other speciality services.
Labour terms are still being negotiated. The government is aiming for a 50/50 split between Chinese and Bahamian workers, though officials hope to increase the local share.
Dr Darville also
confirmed that environmental approvals have already been secured. Site preparation tenders are being finalised, and land clearing is expected to begin within weeks.
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis called the agreement a key step in modernising the country’s strained healthcare infrastructure.
“For far too long, Bahamians have suffered under a broken health system marked by long lines, excessive wait times, and outdated facilities,” he said. “We cannot accept that as the standard. We will not accept that.”
Chinese Ambassador Yan Jiarong hailed the agreement as another milestone in the growing relationship between China and The Bahamas, saying Beijing remains committed to supporting national development efforts.
Davis welcomes Sebas’ ‘willingness to come forward’
GAMING from page one
national development.
“He has expressed an interest in running, and once he applies, his application will be considered like any other,” Mr Davis told reporters. “But I welcome his willingness to come forward to help build this country.”
The Tribune revealed last week that Mr Bastian, who has acknowledged he is considering entering frontline politics, is eyeing the Fort Charlotte seat, which will be vacant after current MP Alfred Sears retires.
Under the current Gaming Act, Cabinet ministers and their immediate family members are prohibited from holding gaming licences. Some, including Seabreeze MP Leslia Miller-Brice, have suggested the law should be amended — a suggestion she made after years of speculation that her husband’s gaming ties affected her Cabinet prospects. However, Mr Davis firmly dismissed any such changes: “I don’t think we will amend the law to have Cabinet ministers hold gaming licenses. That’s not on the table for me.”
of justiCe
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
PRIME Minister Philip
“Brave” Davis said it is ultimately up to the Bahamian people to decide whether the country should adopt the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final court of appeal, amid renewed regional pressure for CARICOM states to move away from the UKbased Privy Council. His comments follow an appeal by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley during the recent CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, where she urged member states to fully embrace the CCJ as a final appellate body, arguing it is a step toward judicial and regional independence.
“Bahamians would have to decide whether they
wish to go there or not,” Mr Davis said. “I would have no objection if we go, if we stay same thing.” Under the Bahamian Constitution, any decision to adopt the CCJ as the country’s highest court would require a national referendum, an approach that has proven politically and publicly challenging in the past.
Mr Davis recalled his own involvement in early discussions about the CCJ’s creation. “I was a part of the Caribbean jurisprudential committee that discussed the formation of the CCJ, and it is performing great work for the community,” he said.
The CCJ, headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, was established in 2001 and began hearing cases in 2005. It was designed to replace the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council in London as the final appellate court for CARICOM member states. It also adjudicates cases relating to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
To date, only four countries, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Guyana, have adopted the CCJ as their final appellate court. Others, including Jamaica and The Bahamas, continue to rely on the Privy Council. Jamaica uses the CCJ only for matters involving the regional integration framework.
In The Bahamas, the Court of Appeal is the highest domestic court, established under Article 98 of the Constitution. It currently comprises a President and five justices. However, the Privy Council in London remains the ultimate judicial authority for Bahamian appeals.
Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks with Chinese Ambassador Yan Jiarong during the signing of an agreement with China for a $267m loan for the construction of a new hospital on Friday at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Photo: Nikia Charlton
US Chargé d’affaireS Kimberly Furnish speaks during the ground breaking ceremony at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services on Friday. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
Prime miNiSter PhiliP ‘Brave’ daviS SeBaS BaStiaN
Davis: Attempted suicide rates among teens staggering and heartbreaking
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip
“Brave” Davis on Friday called the findings of the Ministry of Health’s Global School Health Report “staggering” and heartbreaking, warning that the high rate of suicide attempts among Bahamian teens represents a moral and national crisis demanding urgent, collective action.
At a signing ceremony, Mr Davis said the revelation one in five teens has attempted suicide should alarm the entire nation. He pointed to social pressures — including bullying, household economic stress, and the pervasive influence of social media — as major contributing factors.
“Our children are carrying burdens many of us can’t see — and some we can’t even begin to understand,” he said. “This is not just a health issue.
“Every life matters. Every voice deserves to be heard. Every young person deserves to know they are not alone.”
This is a moral issue. This is a national issue. It is a call to action — for government, for parents, for teachers, for churches, for communities.”
The report highlights troubling trends among Bahamian youth, showing declines in two-thirds of the 54 indicators measured since 1998. Among the most disturbing: nearly 25 percent of teens have contemplated suicide.
Opposition Leader Michael Pintard described the findings as a “national emergency” and proposed immediate action, including deploying mental health professionals to all 53 public clinics. Mr Davis noted that his
administration has already passed the Mental Health Act (2022) and expanded training for guidance counsellors and health professionals. But he said systemic change must be accompanied by community engagement. “A tablet can’t take the place of a conversation. An iPad can’t substitute for quality time,” he said. “And the pressure from social media — the comparisons, the online cruelty, the need to be liked — it’s harming our children.”
He ended with a solemn appeal: “Every life matters. Every voice deserves to be heard. Every young person deserves to know they are not alone.”
Govt breaks ground on $50m high/medium security prison facility
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Chief Reporter
THE government broke ground on Friday on a $50m high/medium security prison facility, a long-promised upgrade at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) that officials say will transform the country’s approach to justice, safety, and rehabilitation. The new facility, located
near a planned judicial virtual complex, will include mental health cells, a medical unit, a clinic, a chapel, a library, and other modern features. It will be funded through a publicprivate partnership and is expected to be completed within two to three years. The virtual court complex, which will span 19,000 square feet, will house two physical courtrooms and judges’ quarters. Its foundation has already been cut.
Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder said the court complex will improve judicial efficiency with upgrades like soundproof booths and advanced video communication systems. He noted it will also enable the safe trial of high-risk people without needing to transport them to traditional courtrooms.
“When completed, this facility will impact every aspect of the court system,” Sir Ian said.
Prime Minister Philip
“Brave” Davis called the prison expansion a critical step toward transforming BDOCS into a more humane, secure institution focused on rehabilitation.
“This is not simply a building project. It is a human project — one that respects the rights of victims, upholds the dignity of the incarcerated, supports the safety of our officers, and honours the expectations of the Bahamian people,” he said.
The upgrade follows long-held concerns about poor conditions at the prison, including outdated infrastructure, unsanitary
“slopping” methods, and overcrowding that failed accreditation standards. National Security Minister Wayne Munroe acknowledged recent US State Department reports that criticised BDOCS, calling them accurate and underscoring the urgent need for reform. With the majority of inmates eventually reentering society, he stressed the importance of a humane and functional correctional system. Originally estimated at $40m in early 2023, the project ballooned to $93m after the addition
of healthcare and mental health features. A subsequent review slashed costs by 40 percent, bringing the budget down to $50m.
Key components of the facility include an 11,000-square-foot entry area, over 15,000 square feet for administration, 16,000 square feet for intake and booking, and more than 10,000 square feet dedicated to medical housing.
Officials expect the new facility to meet certification standards on day one, resolving issues like overcrowded cells and unhygienic conditions.
FNM alleges PoiNcia NN a iNN shelter is a ‘hazard zoNe’ as resideN ts to be evicted by eNd oF MoN th
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
TROUBLING allegations have surfaced about dire conditions at the Poinciana Inn shelter, including reports of bedbug-infested beds, sewage leaks, and mould, as residents face possible eviction by the end of the month.
Heather McDonald, the Free National Movement’s National assistant secretary general, detailed the living conditions during a press conference on Friday.
She alleged that residents were sleeping on hospital beds “full of bed bugs”, that the kitchen and bathrooms were overrun with mould and waste, and that leaking sewage was flowing to the lower level where children play.
“We have person who suffered from domestic violence, who live here,” she said. “We have some Hurricane Dorian victims who live here and also persons who are just simply down in their luck,” she added, calling the situation a “crying shame”.
She called on the government to produce a relocation plan, saying it was outrageous that taxpayer money
was still being spent on rent for what she described as a “hazard zone”.
She also claimed that residents had been told to vacate the premises by July 31, though she could not confirm whether that notice had been given verbally or in writing. “It was said to them that they need to basically find something for themselves or try to reach out to families,” she said.
“But we have to remember, when persons are put in this most vulnerable position.”
Social Services Minister Myles Laroda acknowledged that although some upgrades were made to the facility, which is under government lease, there have been “valid complaints” over the last three years. He confirmed the building had deteriorated and said the lease is set to expire soon.
“The government and the Ministry of Social Services has already taken steps to relocate those residents that are there to other facilities,” he said.
“No decision has been made yet as to whether we would re-engage, but any re-engagement would be dependent on more upgrades to that facility.”
Around 50 people are expected to be relocated, he said.
He noted that the Poinciana Inn was first used by the former FNM administration in 2020 to house Hurricane Dorian victims, before it came under Social Services’ control.
He added that while some evictions have taken place, they required legal oversight.
“It means that other residents will have to either leave voluntarily and when those individuals were evicted, that was not just social services,” he said.
“The magistrate had to agree with the Department of Social Services position as to the legality of the eviction.”
He also defended his ministry’s staff, saying they’ve faced abusive treatment.
“The staff, there have been, a few of them, subjected to the most vile statements made against them, personally, but they have been very restrained and notwithstanding, leaks have been coming out from the facility. You have not seen any leaks from social services with regards to information,” he said.
Prime minister PhiliP ‘Brave’ Davis
Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Chargé d’Affaires Kimberly Furnish and other officals break ground for the new facilites at the Fox Hill Prison on Friday.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
Over 500 hired for $600m GB resort
through third-party operators, retailers, and off-site excursions.
Despite rainy weather and long queues at shuttle points, locals turned out in droves to preview the sprawling port, built over three years and billed as Carnival’s largest development in its corporate history.
“Celebration Key is our marquee destination,” said Juan Fernandez, vice president of port operations at Carnival Corporation. “This is by far our largest development in the history of Carnival Corporation.”
Located on the island’s eastern end, Celebration Key will welcome its first ship on July 19, carrying nearly 10,000 passengers.
The completed first pier has two berths capable of docking Carnival’s largest XL-class ships. A second pier is already under construction and will double capacity to four ships at once.
The site features seven acres of lagoons, beachside and poolside cabanas, 20+ food outlets, local
retailers, a panoramic water slide, and an adultsonly retreat called Pearl Cove.
“This is a critical project for Carnival Corporation,” Mr Fernandez said. “In our first year of operation, we expect to bring two million passengers and we really hoping that will grow.”
Carnival hosted nearly 3,000 family and friends of employees last week in a soft opening, followed by Friday’s test run with 7,000 to 8,000 partners and stakeholders. Mr Fernandez said the dry runs were crucial to evaluating food service, lifeguards, retail operations, and transport logistics.
Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper hailed the project as “transformational for the island of Grand Bahama”, predicting it would soon host up to four million passengers annually. “This excites me,” he said. “We build foreign direct investments really for the benefit of Bahamians, and I hope this will accrue positively to the empowerment of Bahamians.”
Carnival initially committed $200m to the port
under a 2019 Heads of Agreement signed with the Minnis Administration. The investment rose to $600m after Hurricane Dorian to ensure the facility’s hurricane resilience. The PLP administration, upon taking office, expedited final approvals to move the project forward.
Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey said the government is working to ensure locals can create authentic tourism products through the Tourism Development Corporation and Innovate 242.
Minister of Social Services Myles Laroda called the port “a shot in the arm” for Grand Bahama’s economy. Opposition leader Michael Pintard, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson, and MP Iram Lewis also praised the project as a major milestone for the island.
It is estimated that over 20 years, Celebration Key will generate more than 2,500 direct Bahamian jobs, $3.2bn in incremental government revenue, and $9.7bn in total economic impact to The Bahamas.
Two women die in T wo-car collision on Baillou Hill road and Kim’s
TWO women died and several other people were injured in a crash in the early hours of Saturday morning. Shortly after 4am, two vehicles collided at the junction of Baillou Hill
Road and Kim’s Crescent. Police said one vehicle had four people inside, and the other had one occupant.
Officers said that one woman was unresponsive and pronounced dead, while the other occupants were taken to hospital, where a second woman died of her injuries. The driver of the second vehicle was also taken to hospital fro treatment.
said investigations were ongoing.
Police investigating two shootings, one fatal, and the discovery of two
POLICE are investigating a series of incidents across the Bahamas over the weekend, including two shootings –– one of them fatal –– the discovery of two male bodies in separate locations, and an attempted suicide.
On Friday night, shortly after 10pm, ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology alerted officers to gunfire on Armbrister Street, off Francis Avenue, in New Providence. Responding officers found a silver vehicle that had collided with a building. Inside the car was an unresponsive male driver with apparent gunshot injuries. Emergency Medical Services confirmed there were no signs of life. According to preliminary reports, the occupants of a yellow Japanese-model vehicle allegedly fired at the silver vehicle before leaving the area.
Earlier that day, police responded to a report of a body floating in the water off Paradise Island.
Officers arrived shortly before 9am and recovered the lifeless body of an adult male. EMS personnel examined the man but found no vital signs. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
On Saturday night, police responded to another ShotSpotter alert in the area of Deliverance Way. Officers proceeded to Panda Road shortly before 11.30pm, where they found a man with gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital and is currently listed in stable condition. Preliminary information suggests he was approached by several individuals travelling in a silver Japanese-model vehicle, who opened fire before fleeing the scene. Later that same day in Grand Bahama, officers found a decomposed male body on an unpaved road off Wildcat Avenue shortly after 5.00pm. While the identity has not been confirmed, reports
suggest the deceased may be a man reported missing on July 9. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death.
In a separate incident, police have also launched an investigation into an alleged suicide attempt involving a 51-year-old
man. According to initial reports, shortly before 5.30am on Friday, the man is believed to have jumped into the water from a
bodies
bridge off East Bay Street. He was rescued and transported to hospital for medical assessment and evaluation.
Minister of Toursim and Aviation Chester Cooper speaks with the media at the unveiling of Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key in East Grand Bahama.
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
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-
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Importance of finding the best deal
THE diplomatic sparring between the US and China has continued over the signing of a deal to provide a loan towards a new hospital for New Providence.
An interesting wrinkle has emerged however with the revelation that the Chinese deal was not the only one available to the Bahamas government, with an offer having been made by the UK government on terms said to be competitive with the Chinese offer.
That offer was made in writing to both the Ministry of Health and to the government in writing – but never received a response.
It is intriguing to know that another offer was available, especially considering the bombastic nature of the US response to the deal.
A note from the US chargé d’affaires, Kimberly Furnish, said: “Chinese investments in the Caribbean typically benefit elites, not the people, leaving countries with shoddy or incomplete projects and unsustainable debt to China, jeopardising their development and sovereignty.”
The note went on to say the US would continue to work with The Bahamas government “so they can make informed decisions about interactions with China”.
Some parts of the deal are still being resolved – such as the ratio of the workforce between Bahamian and Chinese workers.
As for the British element, the UK High Commission reported that its offer was intended to match or beat the Chinese terms on project cost, construction timeline and repayment conditions.
As far as we know, there was no offer on the table from the US to provide funding, let alone on comparable terms.
What matters of course for Bahamians is the best deal to provide the best outcome.
If that is the China deal, so be it, but we hope that full attention was given to other options to make sure that was the case.
Perhaps the China deal was too far advanced for the government to consider other options. But then again perhaps the seemingly long process there has been over this hospital might have opened the door to other avenues. There of course remain other open
questions about the new hospital – not least of all outstanding concerns over how it will be staffed when we already have a shortage of medical staff for the facilities we have now.
Improving our healthcare is an admirable goal – doing so for the best value even more so. No stone should be left unturned in seeking that outcome.
What are you going to do about it?
Sometimes, when politicians raise a topic, we should all ask a simple question: “What are you going to do about it?”
Prime Minister Philip Davis suggested that it is up to the Bahamian people to decide whether the country should adopt the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final court of appeal instead of the UK Privy Council. Excellent. What are you going to do about it?
Nothing, it would seem. It is up to the Bahamian people, he says. Pointedly, he makes no mention of whether he is going to ask the people, with a referendum, or put it in his next election manifesto.
Then Mr Davis called the findings of a report on children’s health “staggering” and heartbreaking, saying the high rate of suicide attempts represents a moral and national crisis demanding urgent action.
He did not however outline the action his government would take. Correctly identifying a problem exists does not in any way solve it on its own.
Then there is the FNM leader, Michael Pintard, who railed against another national crisis, of security this time, while pointing the finger at immigration, calling for stronger border patrols and harsher penalties even as the Detention Centre has a historic low of just 50 occupants, apparently.
In fairness, Mr Pintard has provided a list of things he is going to do about the issue, although has not presented evidence of the crisis itself. It is fair to ask how is it worse now than when the last administration he served in was in office. Evidence, please.
A good name can’t be bought
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I AM writing this open letter to Sebastian “Sebas” Bastian in response to the recent revelation that he was considering running as a member of Parliament in the next election. Our first conversation was private, this one by its nature and national interest needs to be public, hence this open letter.
Back in the waning days of the referendum on gambling you called me and invited us to have a meeting. You wanted to discuss what it would take to reach some kind of agreement between the two sides. I agreed to a meeting, and we met at Grace Community Church in our conference room – you and two other representatives of the gambling industry sat opposite myself and Pastor Mario Moxey.
It was for the most part a cordial and friendly meeting – the two opposing sides talking in the same room without rancor. After enumerating to you and your team about the corrupting, dehumanising influence of gambling, I called on you to stop it! To work with us to shut it all down. I told you that you are a smart young man who should put his sharp mind to more nobler pursuits and succeed.
You will remember, I strongly encouraged you to repent of this great evil, and to be like Zacchaeus and cease your activity, and turn and have the resources used for good. I have discerned your heart, I know you want to be seen as a good man, but that is not how this works.
You cannot now claim to be a good, caring man without acknowledging that you’ve been a bad man. Christian history is filled with bad men who encountered Jesus and did a 180 degree turn to fight against the very evil they had practiced and promoted.
The Apostle Paul is the best example, but my favourite is John Newton (author of the great hymn “Amazing Grace”) a former slave ship captain, whose work and testimony about the evils of slavery helped William Wilberforce bring slavery to an end in the British Parliament.
Mr Bastian, you cannot buy a good name by paying for it, but you can redeem yourself like the Apostle Paul did, and acknowledge your evil ways, repent, and start fresh. (I can help you with this).
Sebas, every man feels like he is the good guy, the hero of his own story but the facts tell a different story. You are not the wonderful philanthropist that your social media team is working so hard to portray. You are not Robin Hood who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but rather you preyed on the hopes of the poor to enrich yourself. You are
coming across as a predatory vampire, “sucking the blood of the sufferer” to quote Bob Marley.
Ironically, on Sunday past, the day before the nation learned that you were considering a run for office, I delivered an Independence message from Isaiah chapter 1:1517 where I cited that like ancient Israel our nation was under judgment for its mistreatment of the widow and the orphans (the disenfranchised) in their distress. The Prophet Isaiah thundered against the people, quoting God as saying: “(15) When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! (16) Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. (17) Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Who in the entire Bahamas is most guilty of crushing and destroying the poor, the widow, the orphaned and the disenfranchised other than the numbers boys! Gambling, as you know takes advantage of those who can least afford it. Those who are so desperate they are willing to gamble their little for the hope of a payout. Whole homes and communities have been wrecked by this vice. The hands of the numbers boys are filled with blood! God’s word to you lifted from Isaiah’s sermon therefore is “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.”
A writer going by the name “A Concerned Citizen” wrote a letter to the editor in The Tribune’s June 26th edition stating the following: “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 “honours” 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... rumours swirl that a gaming house boss himself is eyeing a seat in House
of Assembly...”
“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?” Sebas, it is obscene the power that has been given to the gambling boys. How is it that the very men who ten years ago were operating unregulated businesses now have ambassadorships, and are given the name “the honourable”? And all this because a Prime Minister who said he had “no horse in the race” inexplicably ignored the wishes of the Bahamian people that he had asked to decide on the matter by way of a referendum and turned defeat into victory for the gambling boys by legalising gambling. Sebas, what you and your gambling cohorts are asking for is hoggish. What more do you want? My friend, God is watching all this unfold and for now is letting it happen. Do not believe that his silence is endorsement!
If politicians change the laws to allow gaming bosses to run for office, who could stop you from buying your way to the Prime Minister’s office? You have seen people grovel in your presence and change their tune at the thought of your wealth. The Bible states that “A bribe blinds the clear-sighted and perverts the cause of Justice.”
I thought it was a missprint when the article implied you were seeking God’s will about running? Are you implying by that statement that you are now a Christian? If so, then let me echo the words of John the Baptist in your hearing, “Put forth fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Luke 3:8)
REPENT! Renounce the evil of gambling! In fact, as the Prophet Isaiah exhorted, “Wash your hands of the blood and Fight against the oppression!” Show that you are serious and join us in shutting down gambling in the country! Be the inside voice speaking against the evils of gambling. Release your wealth and resources and turn it over to an ombudsman group of righteous men and women who hate dishonest gain and who will work to undo the damage you have caused!
The rich young ruler asked Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life? Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor! Are you really serious about having a relationship with Jesus? Then maybe this is the answer you have been praying for? If you wish to talk again you know where to find me.
PASTOR LYALL BETHEL
July 13, 2025
Picture of the day
Pintard accuses Davis govt of ‘broken, politicised and corrupt’ immigration system
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard has accused the Davis administration of enabling a “broken, politicised and corrupt” immigration system, pledging that an FNM government would overhaul immigration laws, tighten enforcement, and restore public trust through a national plan to secure The Bahamas’ borders.
But in a lengthy statement released in response, the government dismissed his remarks as “distortion and spin”, defending its immigration record and claiming “the strongest immigration enforcement record of any government” in Bahamian history.
At a press conference yesterday, Mr Pintard said illegal migration has created a national security crisis, straining clinics, classrooms, and housing. He did not offer specific evidence but warned: “Anyone who enters the country illegally under an FNM government will never obtain citizenship.”
He blamed the prime minister directly, citing
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 45-yEAR-OLD man was remanded to prison on Friday following allegations that he raped a 16-year-old girl on Balfour Avenue earlier this month. Jason Williams was arraigned on a charge of rape before Assistant
his role as chairman of the Immigration Board, and claimed the government failed to deliver on a promised review of immigration practices following breaches of the Bahamas Nationality Act two years ago.
Mr Pintard alleged the current system lacks transparency and is open to abuse, claiming NIB cards and passports are being issued to people who could not communicate clearly. He said there has also been a surge in permit applications. He said more than 10,000 applications remain unresolved, and cited cases in which deported people were later granted legal status — including while in detention or shortly after being released.
“This is not about any one nationality group,” he said. “But it is true that Haitian migrants and others who reside in The Bahamas illegally have posed a serious challenge for the country.”
He said the FNM had called for a parliamentary committee to investigate immigration, but that “every Progressive Liberal Party MP voted against the motion”.
As part of his proposed
solution, Mr Pintard launched a new framework called Operation SHIELD, which includes stronger border patrols, an audit of public land occupation, an immigration oversight board, and harsher penalties for those enabling illegal settlements.
“Entire unregulated communities are emerging with no regard to our laws, no respect for planning or sanitation codes, and no consequence from those in charge,” he said.
He pledged to deploy more Defence Force officers to the southern corridor, establish an immigration reservist corps, and reintroduce strict vetting for foreign workers — especially from Haiti.
Mr Pintard also raised concerns about the increase in commercial flights from Haiti and the lack of tracking systems.
“The law clearly states that first-time work permit applicants must apply from outside The Bahamas, not after arrival,” he said. “If this administration has changed the policy, the Bahamian people ought to get an explanation.”
He further promised tougher sponsor vetting, a Haiti-specific task force,
and a whistleblower hotline offering anonymity, immunity, and financial rewards. “If you issue documents unlawfully... you will be held accountable,” he said.
the former FNM administration “not a single shanty town was demolished”, compared to seven under the current government, with operations ongoing in Andros and Eleuthera.
Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans. Prosecutors allege that Williams sexually assaulted the teenager at a business location around 8pm on July 5. The victim reportedly only knew her alleged attacker by name. Williams was not required to enter a plea. He was informed the case will be transferred to the
Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He was advised of his right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court. Until then, he will remain in custody at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. His VBI is scheduled to be served on October 14.
Inspector S Coakley served as the prosecutor.
Man accused of raping 16-year-old girl Woman accused of attacking man W ith her car
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 34-yEAR-OLD woman was granted bail on Friday after she was accused of attacking a man with her vehicle and causing property damage on Poinciana Avenue last week.
Fredrica Rolle was charged with assault with a dangerous instrument and three counts of property damage before Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr. She allegedly used her car to assault Quinton Colebrooke on July 6.
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 39-yEAR-OLD Brazilian man was sentenced to two years in prison last week after admitting involvement in a $7.5m drug bust in Mayaguana last year.
Carlos Fernandez appeared before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley for the continuation of his drug trial, where he faced charges of conspiracy
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
A 21-yEAR-OLD man was granted bail on Friday after being accused of breaking into a woman’s home in Acklins earlier this month.
Antonio Williams was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Kendra KellyBurrows on a burglary
In its rebuttal, the government described the FNM press conference as “short on vision and new ideas” and defended its record, stating: “Thirteen thousand repatriations in under four years — the strongest immigration enforcement record of any government.”
The administration claimed the migrant population at the Detention Centre is at a historic low of 50 people, citing collaboration between Immigration, the Defence Force, and international partners. They also challenged Mr Pintard’s remarks on shanty towns, saying that under
Addressing claims of increased NIB registrations, the statement said the uptick is due to efforts to regularise people previously using fraudulent documents. “These persons are now being required to regularise their status and pay their contributions,” the statement sent.
Rolle pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her bail was set at $6,000 with one or two sureties. The trial is scheduled to begin on October 20.
Sergeant 3004 Forbes served as the prosecutor.
During the same incident, she reportedly damaged Mr Colebrooke’s blue 2013 Nissan Note, a fence belonging to Paula Clarke, and a wall and gate owned by Paulette Rolle. The total estimated damage was valued at $36,000.
to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply, possession with intent to supply, conspiracy to import, and importation of dangerous drugs. Fernandez and an accomplice were reportedly found with 860 pounds of cocaine packed in 13 crocus sacks aboard a small aircraft at the Mayaguana Airport in the early morning of March 26, 2024. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $7.5m. Though both men
charge. He allegedly broke into the home of Shemika Farrington in Salina Point, Acklins, on July 5. Williams was not required to enter a plea and was informed the case would proceed to the Supreme Court via a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).
Prosecutor Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom did not object to bail. Williams
initially attempted to flee from police, they were later apprehended. Fernandez reversed his previous plea and admitted guilt in his latest court appearance.
He was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and fined $200,000. Failure to pay the fine could result in an additional year of imprisonment.
Inspector Deon Barr and Dion Smith served as prosecutors.
was released on $5,000 bail with one or two sureties and must wear a monitoring device.
He is also required to sign in at the Salina Point Police Station every Friday by 7pm and must not interfere with the complainant or any witnesses, or risk having his bail revoked.
His VBI is scheduled to be served on September 1.
The statement concluded: “If you have knowledge of individuals employed by this government who are engaged in human trafficking, name them. Bring the evidence. Don’t insult the intelligence of the Bahamian people by hiding behind vague accusations.
“We welcome debate. We reject distortion. We welcome scrutiny. We reject political opportunism.”
On illegal landings, the government said fewer than five happened in the past year due to expanded maritime security and asset redeployments. It noted that legal entries from Haiti require an approved visa, return ticket, and proof of funds — “and we know when they arrive, and we know when they leave”. Responding to the opposition’s estimate of 300,000 pending applications, the government called it a “deliberate distortion”, stating that figure includes decades of archived documents, expired permits, and duplications.
FNM leader Michael PiNtard
monday, july 14, 2025
Are we really independent?
By MALCOLM STRACHAN
INDEPENDENCE
this year felt a little different –and for me it was not just down to the downpour of rain that forced the schedule to be rearranged.
Like many, I had been planning to go to Clifford Park for the celebrations, but safety comes first, and when thunder is crashing and lightning is flashing, let alone whatever state the ground might have been in from the rain, you really can’t argue.
The flag still went up. The preachers still preached. The singing and the dancing happened a day later. The country goes on.
But there have been enough stories of late that make one wonder just how independent we really are.
Just two years ago, for the 50th anniversary, there was much trumpeting and heralding of where we are,
Today, here we are still holding our hands out to other nations for a helping hand.
of our achievements as a nation.
Today, here we are still holding our hands out to other nations for a helping hand. Worse, it seems we are busily waiting on other countries for permission sometimes too.
Earlier this month, there was the latest development in the story about the Cuban workers here in The
Bahamas.
Our country has long employed Cubans in both the fields of healthcare and education – and that brought us into the spotlight after the US put out a warning to countries that could be engaged in forced labour. There was much shaking of heads when that memo from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio came out. Not
us. Our practices are fine. No problem here. And yet then came a leaked contract suggesting the Cuban workers here were being paid just a small fraction of the amount we were giving to a Cuban agency, and then we found ourselves cancelling the deal and making a new pitch.
If anyone believes for a second that the government did not know the terms of the deal with Cuba from the outset, then I have a bridge to Paradise Island to sell you.
Still, that deal has now been ripped up, we are told, and the government has contacted the Cuban healthcare workers in our country directly to ask them what they want. They want to stay, most of them, we are told, and the government wants to offer them contracts.
But. That word “but”. Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville says the government is still waiting to hear from the US on whether its proposal meets with Washington’s approval.
How’s that independence feeling now?
Whether the Cuban workers stay or not does not involve the Cuban government, said Dr Darville, but we are checking instead to see if the US is happy with the new arrangement.
The Bahamas is offering a private deal to Cuban individuals, and we are asking a country not involved in that deal if it’s ok.
Let’s fast forward from there to an event last week.
On Friday, the government signed a deal with the Chinese government to build a new hospital. The price tag is $267m, and $195m of that will come
from the Chinese ExportImport Bank. That’s the same institution that funded Baha Mar’s construction. The interest rate on the borrowing is two percent.
The remainder of the borrowing for that hospital construction has come from other sources, both local and international, said Dr Darville, though the breakdown has not been made clear.
Now when it comes to construction of major projects, of course you look for the best return on your investment. If you have to borrow money to get it done, you try your best to identify a reliable source and a good interest rate. If that money is not available in the local market, you look farther afield.
Given what is fair to say a certain amount of tension in global politics at present – which would be understating matters – our borrowing from China might raise an eyebrow or two back over at Washington again.
What will come of that if we are already having to check with the US on the hiring of a few Cuban workers?
Somewhere in all of this is the question of our independence.
If it is right for us to carry out an action that benefits our country – such as hiring crucial workers or borrowing to fund major construction projects – it should be a decision that rests on our shoulders, and our shoulders alone.
If it does not, can we really be said to be independent?
Then there are matters to do with independence that are more enduring.
We continue to rely on the Privy Council as our court of last resort. There
seems to be no impetus to change that – and if we did, how would we go about it? Would we seek to supplant it with a CARICOM court instead? And is that simply swapping one dependence for another? Or would we have the faith and belief in our own ability to have a court that could resist political influence and rule on matters here – including issues such as the death penalty?
How about our head of state? The independence celebrations were presided over by the Governor General, Dame Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, the king’s representative here in The Bahamas. As long as that is our titular head, we continue to exist in a state of quasi-independence rather than flowering full and free. Our independence honours were recently announced – to some considerable length – and yet they sit alongside the honours given by King Charles III, announced for his birthday and at New Year. If we are independent, why do we have two honours systems?
We find ourselves in our 52nd year caught in the ebb and flow of global politics, while still clinging to the vestiges of connections gone by. Independence is a precious thing, an important thing. It took a great deal to achieve it, and we must be strong to preserve it.
With another year’s celebrations behind us, we must ask ourselves how we want our 53rd year to look, our 80th year, our 100th year, and beyond. Independence should be a reminder every year – to take stock, and to set our sights on what is still to come.
Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis greeted by Governor General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt at the 52nd Independence Day event at Clifford Park on July 10. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
inDePenDenCe celebrations in Grand Bahama.
Photo: Vandyke Hepburn
Rise of weaponised drones an urgent regional threat
The barrier to “weaponising” a drone has collapsed: any individual with modest technical skills and internet access can transform a civilian drone into a precision strike asset.
The Caribbean faces a new and urgent threat: weaponised drones in criminal hands are rapidly proliferating into the hands of criminal actors, non‑state militias, and private con tractors. What began as experimental tools for law enforcement has become instruments of murder, assassination, and terror across Latin America—and now in haiti. CARICOM governments must adopt firm, enforceable measures to restrict these devices before our region drifts into becoming a battlefield.
Marguerite Cawley is a researcher and writer at the think tank, Insight Crime. When she surveyed Latin America’s drone landscape in 2014, she documented that multiple regional states operated unarmed UAVs without legal frameworks to govern their use. Cawley warned that such platforms, though unarmed, car ried latent dangers: in the wrong hands, their intelli gence‑gathering advantages could swiftly be converted into strike missions.
In late 2024 and early 2025, those latent dan gers have become realities. In September 2024, insurgents lobbed a 40lb explosive drone into ecuador’s La Roca prison near Guayaquil, illustrat ing how smuggling tools become siege weapons. In March 2025, a Colombian soldier in the Catatumbo region was killed by a kamikaze UAV launched by the National Liberation Army (ejército de Lib eración Nacional, eLN). eLN is a far left guerrilla insurgency group involved in the continuing Colom bian conflict. This incident marked one of the first confirmed drone‑related fatalities attributed to a non‑state actor. In Feb ruary, Brigadier General
World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
Jorge Alejandro Gutiérrez Martínez of Mexico sur vived an attempted drone assassination in Chihuahua when an explosive‑laden craft targeted his convoy. haiti’s rapid descent illus trates how swiftly control can slip from governments into criminal hands. haiti’s security crisis starkly warns of what could happen in other Caribbean coun tries. The Transitional National Council in haiti has confirmed that it has engaged private opera tives to deploy kamikaze drones against leaders of gangs that are besieging the country. These strike mis sions, shrouded in secrecy, have driven gangs to embed within civilian popula tions, threatening the lives of innocent residents. Moreover, the UK Guard ian newspaper reports that first‑person‑view drones, equipped with commer cial mining explosives, have damaged buildings in gang‑controlled districts. The same report warns that gangs are already seeking to retaliate by acquiring and adapting drones. This rapid weaponisation of commercial UAVs is not confined to haiti. Online marketplaces now offer platforms capable of carry ing improvised explosives, reconnaissance sensors, and facial‑recognition software. The barrier to “weaponis ing” a drone has collapsed: any individual with modest technical skills and internet access can transform a civil ian drone into a precision
strike asset. If the Carib bean allows these devices to flow unimpeded, the countries will become prov ing grounds for airborne violence.
In September 2023, in an invited address to a seminar organised by the CARICOM Community (CARICOM) Implemen tation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), I outlined four critical steps: ban, impose, distinguish, and secure.
First, ban the importa tion of any drone capable of sustained flight, payload delivery, or autonomous operation—except those owned and operated by national law‑enforcement agencies under strictly defined controls. Second, impose severe penalties on anyone who imports, manufactures, or deploys weaponisable drones: hefty fines, asset forfeiture, and prison sentences. Third, differentiate civilian‑grade drones from security‑grade systems, permitting only fixed‑blade, single‑camera models for benign tasks such as aerial photogra phy or mapping. Fourth, use the collective voice of CARICOM’s 14 member states at the United Nations to secure a legally bind ing treaty by 2026 banning lethal autonomous weapons systems without meaningful human oversight.
CARICOM states should now seriously and swiftly move to legislate these measures and close every loophole. While some may
argue these actions impede innovation, our security imperative overrides such concerns. Customs offic ers require training and equipment to inspect and identify illicit drone ship ments. National security forces should be mandated to register every UAV in a centralised, digital database that links each aircraft to its lawful owner and permit ted use. Any deployment by government agencies must be subject to oversight by an independent civilian body, with detailed after‑action reports made available to the public. Civilian drones for agriculture, disaster assessment, and infrastruc ture surveys must meet strict technical criteria, rendering them irreversibly non‑weaponisable. Legislation should pre scribe proportional but punitive sanctions. Unau thorized importation or use of a weaponisable drone should trigger a mandatory minimum fine, asset forfei ture, and up to ten years’ imprisonment. Traffick ing in critical components,
such as batteries, motors, or guidance modules, should carry equivalent penal ties. CARICOM must also establish a technical work ing group to develop unified standards for drone iden tification, detection, and interdiction, and to coordi nate joint training exercises among regional agencies. Where the local expertise does not exist, seek it from organisations such as the Organization of American States while training local persons.
At the UN General Assembly this October, Caribbean delegations must press for a robust treaty—securing at least 20 co sponsoring states— that mirrors existing bans on chemical and biologi cal weapons. We should demand global restric tions on dual‑use drone technologies and secure capacity‑building assistance to strengthen our detec tion and counter‑drone defences.
Can Caribbean coun tries allow the possibility of children growing up under
the shadow of unseen kill ers overhead? The age of the weaponised drone has arrived. From Catatumbo to Chihuahua, from La Roca to Port‑au‑Prince, we are witnessing how rapidly unarmed UAVs become tools of terror. CARICOM nations should unite in decisive legislative action to ensure that their skies do not become corridors of terror.
If our political leaders act now—with import bans, strict registries, transpar ent oversight, and punitive enforcement—they can set a global benchmark for drone governance, protect our citizens, and preserve the rule of law. CARICOM governments should not wait for calamity before they act.
• The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, and Dean of the OAS Ambassadors accredited to the OAS. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com.
How fisH and clean water can protect coral reefs from warming oceans
Our work suggests that managing reefs at the local level by protecting important fish species and minimizing pollution can help
prevent coral death.
By ReBecca Vega ThuRBeR
, Oregon State university and Deron Burkepile, university of california, Santa Barbara
Hurricanes and waterspouts. Bone-chilling rain and 100 degree Fahrenheit temperatures. Jellyfish and fire coral stings. Broken toes, shoulders, knees and fingers. entanglements in fishing gear and stranded boats. cockroaches, mosquitoes and sandflies. Hundreds of scuBa dives and thousands of hours underwater. and to end it all, mountains of very different kinds of data to integrate.
These are just a few of the challenges we ran up against on our four-year endeavor to ask the the notso-simple question: “How do three human factors –overfishing, pollution and climate change – intersect to cause the decline of coral reefs?”
By looking at the microbial communities that live on corals, our research uncovered a crucial role that fishes play in protecting coral reefs. We also discovered that these fishes together with clean water may be a vital buffer against the coral disease and decline caused by climate change-induced warming ocean waters. coral reef decline and human impacts
You may have seen that the plight of the world’s coral reefs, pinnacles of marine biodiversity, has been in the news a lot lately. currently, el niño-driven increases in ocean temperatures are causing a third worldwide coral bleaching event. australia’s Great Barrier reef, one of most protected and largest coral reefs in the world, may lose a third of all its corals. Jarvis, a remote u s.-protected island, is suffering an unimaginable 90 percent coral mortality.
While this recent bad news for reefs is eye-catching, coral reefs have been in trouble for a long time. Many reefs around the world have seen gradual declines in corals over the past two to three decades.
The decline in corals has many culprits, but they can be classified as two major kinds, local and global stressors. Local stressors involve aspects of human activity that impact reefs on a small regional scale, while global stressors can impact reefs over the entire planet. Local stressors are things like overfishing, pollution and sedimentation from coastal development; they may kill corals all by themselves.
But these local factors never occur in a vacuum. it is likely these local human impacts combine with the ubiquitous ongoing global stressors such as warming oceans and ocean acidification that drive the huge bleaching events we are witnessing today. Yet although we know they occur simultaneously, scientists have rarely investigated the effects of these combined local and global stressors on coral reefs, outside of simplified and unrealistic lab-based experiments that are generally short in duration. also, most coral reef research has emphasised the effects of these human stressors on the conspicuous animals and plants that live on a coral reef. in our study, we chose to focus on the microscopic marine life and its role in coral health.
Over the last two decades, scientists have come to understand that all multicellular organisms have evolved with a variety of microorganisms. Much like the microbes that live on and in healthy humans, this “microbiome” of corals helps gather important nutrients and minerals and fight off infection from pathogens. Major changes in the microbiome, in humans, corals, or other organisms, are thought to be detrimental because they can switch a system from a healthy “stable” state to a diseased one.
Thus, we (a coral microbiologist and marine community ecologist) sought to combine the expertise and field work experience of our labs to test the effects of both local and global stressors on corals as well as their microbiomes.
Our reasoning was that by physically changing conditions on areas of reef over the long term, we could monitor what would occur naturally in the system across seasons, and also see how effects at one level of complexity (macroorganisms – that is, the corals) transcended down to another level of complexity (microorganisms).
Vital role of herbivorous fishes
We tackled these questions by running a three-year field experiment that mimicked overfishing (using fish-exclusion cages) and nutrient pollution (via the addition of common garden fertiliser) on a coral reef in the Florida Keys, us. To do this we had to build and maintain the experiment underwater for three years, which required continuous upkeep of our cages and resupply of the nutrients every few weeks. We closely monitored the health and growth of corals and seaweeds in our experiment four times a year and evaluated the microbiomes of about 80 corals monthly. using this experimental design, we wanted to examine how two of the most common stressors on reefs – overexploitation of important species like herbivorous fishes (ie, fishes that eat seaweeds) and nutrient pollution – affect the microbes that live on corals and, ultimately, the health of corals.
Lots of previous work shows that herbivorous fishes, especially parrotfishes, are important for helping corals reproduce, grow and survive because they consume seaweeds that can outcompete, smother or even poison corals.
Our work reinforced that these herbivorous fishes protect reefs by preventing coral-seaweed competition. But we also showed that the loss of these fishes ultimately led to the subsequent disruption of the coral microbiome. When we removed herbivorous fishes from reefs, coral-seaweed competition increased, which led to declines of some of the beneficial bacteria on corals, including bacteria that produce antibiotics to keep harmful pathogenic bacteria at bay. importantly, the presence of herbivorous fishes appeared to buffer some of the negative effects of ocean warming on corals. We knew this because thermal stress led to the disruption of coral microbiomes and coral death only after herbivorous fishes had already been removed. in other words, during
the warmest summer and fall months of the year, 95 percent of corals in areas with abundant fishes survived and in fact grew. But if we removed fishes, almost 40 percent of corals succumbed to seaweed competition and thermal stress and died.
Nutrient pollution turns fishes into coral killers although parrotfishes are important herbivores that help keep reefs clean of seaweeds, many of them periodically supplement their diets by biting corals. in our experiment 100 percent of the corals survived these periodic bites just fine under low nutrient conditions, demonstrating that parrotfishes are an overwhelmingly positive force for helping corals persist on reefs.
One of the most surprising and perhaps worrisome elements uncovered by our study was how nutrient pollution – such as from agricultural runoff or sewage discharge – changed the impact of parrotfish bites on corals. in the presence of nutrient pollution, 66 percent of corals died after being bitten by parrotfishes. These corals also showed an increase in pathogenic bacteria at the expense of beneficial bacteria following parrotfish bites, possibly leading to coral mortality. The parrotfish wounds likely allowed a space for colonisation by new bacteria and then the excess nutrients allowed unregulated growth of these new pathogens. it is important to note that the parrotfishes here are not the problem. The nutrient pollution is the problem as it changes the nature of a normally beneficial interaction between species on these reefs. This finding is especially concerning as it suggests that even on reefs where parrotfishes are protected from fishing, a common management practice to protect reefs, corals may still be in peril if pollution is not also kept in check.
What do we do to save reefs?
Our work suggests that managing reefs at the local level by protecting important fish species and minimizing pollution can help prevent coral death. even during the most warmest periods of the year, when temperatures were most stressful, we saw little coral mortality in places where there were abundant fishes and low levels of nutrients. Possibly, protecting fishes and minimising pollution will help protect corals from pathogenic bacteria that kill corals during stressful thermal events. This is especially important in an era of global climate change where ocean temperatures are gradually rising. Our work suggests there is hope for the future of coral reefs. There is little we can do about the impacts of massive el niños on coral reefs. These are global anomalies out of our control. But, abundant fishes and clean water may be key to helping coral reefs survive increasingly stressful normal ocean temperatures – at least in the near term. in the long term, to ensure the persistence of coral reefs, curbing carbon emissions and slowing down the rapidly changing climate is essential.
• Originally published on www.theconversation.com.
UB students embark on cultural immersion trip in Nanjing, China
While the major-
ity of students at the University of The Bahamas (UB) pursue their academic journeys on home soil, the institution’s bold internationalisation agenda is opening doors to transformative global experiences and preparing graduates to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic world.
Ten UB students recently went on a cultural immersion trip in Nanjing, China, through a longstanding partnership with the Nanjing University of information Science and Technology (NUiST), in the People’s Republic of China. UB alumni have gone on to study at NUiST and several NUiST grads have come back to teach at UB. education major Alexandria Miller said she always dreamt of visiting an Asian country.
“When i found out i was selected, i was very excited,” said Alexandria. i was very happy, because i always wanted to visit an Asian country, but i never thought i would be able to. So, when i got the news, i was very happy.”
GAIN AN EDGE
Alexandria and her nine peers left the country on Friday, June 27, but just before doing so paid a courtesy call on the Minister of education and Technical and Vocational Training, Glenys
hanna-Martin; permanent secretary lorraine Armbrister; Director of education Dominique McCartney-Russell;
represent some of the brightest and smartest individuals The Bahamas has to offer,” said Dr Oriakhi. “We’re so grateful for this opportunity for University of The Bahamas to support the cultural and educational experiences of young Bahamians in this country.”
and deputy permanent secretary in charge of scholarships Chilean Burrows. UB’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr Maria Oriakhi, joined them as well as the group’s designated chaperones, Shacantila hall and assistant professor Dr Williamson Gustave.
“These young people
During the courtesy call, the students engaged in a roundtable discussion and shared their aspirations for how the immersive learning experience would benefit them. in addition to Alexandria, the other students who went on the journey are Norman Gay, computer information systems (CiS) major; Antary Alcius, finance and economics major; Bernique lightbourne, Davanna Douglas, Burton Gibson, Antonio Cadet and Kimora St Jean, all of whom are biology majors and chemistry minors; Siemone Simmons, architecture major; and Kaitlyn Forbes, marine science major.
“When i first learned i was able to go with the group, i was really excited,” said Antonio. i know a lot of people in the group, so being able to go with people i know is pretty nice. But for me, what i really want to do most—because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity— i really want to enjoy the time, meet new people, network with others.” Norman, meanwhile, echoed similar sentiments.
“i felt so happy,” Norman said. “Just the fact that out of all of the students, they selected me for the trip. i was very grateful.”
Mrs hanna-Martin congratulated the students for being selected to embark on such a life-changing experience. For the minister, it was less than a year ago when she issued similar well-wishes to ten outstanding students from various high schools throughout the Family islands who made headlines for being selected for the same cultural immersion experience. “in every sphere, Bahamians have really catapulted to the forefront or to the highest. hearing these young people now and seeing them—the maturity that i’m seeing in these young people— and the possibility and the potentiality of what can come out of this encounter or even out of their own design for their lives, is so gratifying for me,” said Mrs hanna-Martin. “This is how we should craft everything for young people to come of their own and to really blossom and to be all that they can be.”
• “Gain An Edge” is a collaboration of Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education.
Minister of Education, Glenys Hanna-Martin pictured with govt officials and University of The Bahamas students ahead of their trip to Nanjing, China.
Grand Bahama celebrates the 52nd Independence Day
Grand Bahama celebrates the 52nd Independence with a flag raising ceremony along with local musicians and a fireworks display.
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Job Opportunity
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CEMEX Bahamas Limited
in
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Key Responsibilities:
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Nigeria Ns remember buhari as a dictator a Nd a democrat
Associated Press
Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari, who ruled africa’s most populous nation twice as a military dictator and a democratic president, died on sunday at age 82 and is being remembered as a divisive figure who oversaw one of the country’s most troubled periods.
“He inherited unprecedented goodwill and squandered it,” Olive Chiemerie, a Lagos-based writer, told The associated Press. “His legacy is one of missed opportunities, deepening inequality and a country left to pick up the pieces.”
Here are some highlights of Buhari’s presidency: in October 2020, thousands of youths took to the streets to protest against the special anti-robbery squad, or sars, a police unit accused by rights groups and others of extrajudicial killings, torture and extortion.
Buhari initially responded by disbanding the unit. as the protests grew stronger with broader demands for better governance, however, his government deployed security forces to resist the demonstrations.
On Oct. 20, soldiers opened fire at peaceful protesters in the economic hub of Lagos, killing at least
12 people, according to rights groups. Buhari didn’t acknowledge the shootings in a nationwide address that called protesters “rioters” and warned them against “undermining national security.”
Months after the protests, many Nigerians took their anger online, mostly on Twitter, to rail against institutional corruption, economic woes and escalating insecurity.
The matter spiked after Twitter removed a tweet from Buhari’s account about a secessionist movement, calling it abusive. The Nigerian government responded by suspending access to the platform for seven months.
That further heightened concerns over human rights. as a military dictator in Nigeria in the 1980s, Buhari had brooked little criticism. as president, he detained political opponents and several journalists. Nigerian police operatives once stormed a courtroom to re-arrest activist Omoyele sowore, drawing outrage from the judge and many Nigerians.
Buhari pursued economic policies that Nigerians said imposed huge strains on the economy, forcing it to dip into recession in 2016 and 2020. in 2019, he closed the border to all goods with
CEMEX Bahamas Limited, a leading global building materials company, is seeking a highly experienced and results-driven Commercial and Supply Chain Manager to lead our end-to-end commercial and logistics strategy. This role is critical in driving profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence within our dynamic and evolving market.
the goal of spurring local production, especially of agricultural products, which sparked surging inflation. in the face of a dollar shortage as a result of a slump in oil production and falling oil prices globally, his government pegged the local currency to the dollar at an artificial rate, worsening the naira’s value.
“Buhari left a legacy of debt that continues to sabotage the economic efforts of his successors,” said akeem alao, a teacher in Lagos.
Buhari’s administration failed to rid Nigeria of its security woes — a key election promise and an ambitious one in a country long threatened by Boko Haram extremists and a breakaway faction. The years of violence have killed at least 35,000 people and displaced more than 2 million.
While Buhari was president, the extremists expanded beyond the northeast and partnered with other armed groups in the north to carry out attacks, including on a passenger train near the capital, abuja, and a jailbreak there.
Buhari’s government often declared that Boko Haram had been “technically defeated,” to the scorn of critics.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and implement comprehensive commercial strategies to achieve revenue targets and market share growth.
Lead commercial forecasting, market intelligence gathering, and customer segmentation to inform data-driven decisions.
Commercial Strategy & Execution
Manage customer relationships, contracts, pricing strategies, and service-level agreements (SLAs).
Coordinate with the Country Manager and regional commercial teams to align local objectives with global business goals.
Develop and implement comprehensive commercial strategies to achieve revenue targets and market share growth.
Identify and lead initiatives to expand product offerings, channels, and customer base.
Supply Chain Optimization
Lead commercial forecasting, market intelligence gathering, and customer segmentation to inform data-driven decisions.
Oversee all aspects of supply chain operations including sourcing, procurement, inventory control, warehousing, shipping, and distribution. Lead demand and supply planning in alignment with commercial forecasts and production schedules.
Manage customer relationships, contracts, pricing strategies, and service-level agreements (SLAs).
Develop and monitor KPIs for delivery performance, cost efficiency, inventory turnover, and vendor compliance.
Coordinate with the Country Manager and regional commercial teams to align local objectives with global business goals.
Build and maintain strong relationships with local and international suppliers, carriers, and third-party logistics providers.
Identify and lead initiatives to expand product offerings, channels, and customer base.
Supply Chain
Optimization
Champion the use of digital tools and ERP systems (e.g., SAP) to streamline operations and enhance visibility.
Leadership & Collaboration
Manage a cross-functional team spanning sales, logistics, procurement, and customer service.
Promote a safe, high-performance culture, continuous improvement mindset, and strong collaboration across departments. Ensure compliance with internal policies, safety standards, and all applicable regulatory requirements.
Sustainability & Resilience
Elon Musk’s X platform investigated in France for alleged data tampering and fraud
Associated Press
Oversee all aspects of supply chain operations including sourcing, procurement, inventory control, warehousing, shipping, and distribution.
Lead demand and supply planning in alignment with commercial forecasts and production schedules.
FreNCH prosecutors have launched a police investigation into alleged data tampering and fraud involving X, elon Musk’s social media platform.
Develop and monitor KPIs for delivery performance, cost efficiency, inventory turnover, and vendor compliance.
Support operational audits, budgeting, and risk mitigation activities related to supply chain and commercial activities.
Build and maintain strong relationships with local and international suppliers, carriers, and third-party logistics providers.
Implement strategies to build a resilient and sustainable supply chain aligned with CEMEX's global goals.
Champion the use of digital tools and ERP systems (e.g., SAP) to streamline operations and enhance visibility.
The Paris prosecutor’s office, in a statement Friday, announced the opening of the investigation, and said that a branch of the French gendarmerie is conducting the inquiry.
Leadership & Collaboration
Lead cost control initiatives, reduce carbon footprint of logistics operations, and manage supplier sustainability performance.
Qualifications:
The prosecutor’s office said that it decided this week to open the police investigation, after conducting its own “verifications” and having received additional information from French researchers and “various public institutions.” The a ssociated Press has emailed X’s press office, seeking comment. Job
Manage a cross-functional team spanning sales, logistics, procurement, and customer service.
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
The investigation is looking into two alleged offenses “in particular” — organized tampering with the functioning of an automated data processing system, and organized
fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system, the statement said. it didn’t give details of the alleged wrongdoing. it said that the investigation is targeting both the platform and people, without naming them or saying what role they might have within X. The prosecutor’s office said that it was acting on information that two people provided in January to its cybercrimes unit. One of them is a member of parliament, and the other is a senior official in a French government institution. i t didn’t identify them or
Promote a safe, high-performance culture, continuous improvement mindset, and strong collaboration across departments.
Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in commercial and/or supply chain management, preferably in the manufacturing, construction, or cement industry.
Ensure compliance with internal policies, safety standards, and all applicable regulatory requirements.
Support operational audits, budgeting, and risk mitigation activities related to supply chain and commercial activities.
Strong understanding of operational processes, supply chain logistics, and project management.
Strong business acumen, negotiation, and relationship management skills. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive performance improvements.
Proficient in SAP, SF, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and experience with supply chain analytics tools.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with strong interpersonal abilities to engage effectively with team members and stakeholders.
What We Offer:
Competitive compensation and benefits package.
Opportunity to work with a global industry leader.
Supportive and collaborative work environment.
Career development and growth opportunities within the CEMEX network.
Ready to take your career to the next level?
How to Apply:
Submit your resume and cover letter to hrbahamas@cemex.com by July 14, 2025, with the subject line: Commercial and Supply Chain Manager
CEMEX Bahamas Limited is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We look forward to reviewing your application!
Join us in building a better future - together.
the institution. i t said the two people alleged the suspected use of X’s algorithm for the “purposes of foreign interference.” i t didn’t detail the alleged interference or how the algorithm was allegedly used.
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari speaks during the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow, scotland, November 2, 2021.
Photo: adrian Dennis/AP
State Reception celebrating Independence
A StAte Reception celebrating the 52nd Anniversary of Bahamas Independence was held on Independence Day, July 10, 2025 at Government House, hosted by Governor General, Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt.
Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS
