The Tribune PUZZLER
GanG members ‘killed my son’
Inquest into missing man begins ten years after he disappeared
By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune
Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MoTHer cried out that gang members “killed my son” as an inquest was held into the man’s disappearance more than a decade ago.
Charlton Moxey went missing on May 1, 2015, after he reportedly went out with friends. His mother, Michelle Gray, yesterday gave testimony to the inquest alleging that he had been murdered and saying that before his disappearance he had been afraid for his life.
Ms Gray said she was told by her son’s girlfriend, Sherene Williams, that
Minnis: get together and resolve Junkanoo issues
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
AS tensions between the government and the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) persist over the proposed Junkanoo Authority Bill, former Prime Minister dr Hubert Minnis is urging all parties to come together and resolve their differences— warning that the country’s culture is at risk. He told The Tribune yesterday: “All parties need to sit down and resolve this because emancipation is something people have been looking for continuously. Things like emancipation,
Shanty homes marked for demolition as residents face uncertain future
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
A 25-yeAr-old
Haitian man is among dozens facing uncertainty over their future after his
landlord informed him that the home he has lived in for two years is set to be demolished next week - just days before his $350 rent is due. Mr louissaint was sitting outside an unregulated
multi-dwelling on Fire Trail road when The Tribune visited the area yesterday —one of several sites visited by this newspaper.
The Haitian national, who struggled to communicate in english, appeared
dishevelled, scratching his head as he tried to figure out his next move. The structure appeared to be a two-storey home with two additional
RV trailers still in use six years after Dorian g rand cay frustrated by water, power outages
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
NeArly six years after the government placed rV trailers in Abaco to assist residents displaced by Hurricane dorian, disaster reconstruction Management (drM) Authority officials said there is still no definitive deadline for
occupants to vacate the temporary housing units even as concerns persist about alleged illegal activity at the site. The trailers, located next to the Marsh Harbour government complex, were intended to provide temporary housing for residents displaced by dorian in 2019.
BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
reSIdeNTS of Grand Cay, Abaco, say they feel abandoned by the government amid ongoing power and water outages that have made life unbearable and driven tourists away. Several residents , speaking to The Tribune yesterday, expressed
frustration over what they described as a daily crisis — the lack of reliable electricity, running water, and phone service. They said the persistent issues are affecting the wellbeing of locals and tourists alike.
“right now, the power is off. If we were to have a major emergency on this
BREEF holds public snorkelling event to educate and connect people with the ocean around us
Over 40 people participated in the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) public snorkelling event at Sea Beach Promenade on West Bay Street. The event focused on giving participants a firsthand experience of the underwater marine environment - helping them see and understand the beauty and fragility of ocean ecosystems, and supporting a goal of BREEF: getting more of the public in the water, confident, and connected to the sea that sustains us.
Photos: Nikia Charlton
‘I don’t have no house to move to,’ says resident
this unregulated multi-dwelling buildingon Fire Trail Road, home to several families, has been marked for demolition as residents worry about the difficulty of finding a new place to live.
Photos: Nikia Charlton
extensions. A pile of garbage covered the ground, and a broken gate, curving inward, was being used to hang residents’ clothing.
Mr Louissaint and several other tenants tried to go about their day as normal, but the large red number marked on the unfinished concrete building served as a stark reminder of the government’s plan to demolish it.
On Sunday, he said his landlord told him he would have to find somewhere else to live.
“I don’t have no house, for the time I’m supposed to move,” he said.
Mr Louissaint said he often does landscaping jobs to cover his rent. Some of his relatives live in the unit with him, but they are not in a position to help him find a new place before he becomes homeless.
Last week, Minister of Works Clay Sweeting announced that shanty town demolitions would begin in New Providence in the coming weeks after nearly 200 eviction notices were distributed.
He added that two sites previously issued 30-day demolition notices would be targeted first.
“The first community would be one that we already demolished, and they had, I think, around four structures constructed there, so we’re going back there to deal with those, and then we’ll go to the next site,” Mr Sweeting said.
The demolition of shanty towns has been a contentious issue. Successive governments have cited health concerns, illegal land use, and building code violations to justify the removals, yet critics argue the approach lacks compassion and
fails to address housing shortages.
Since ramping up efforts in November 2023, the Davis administration has reported the demolition of nearly 500 unregulated structures across several islands.
Stephen Carey, chairman of the Unregulated Communities Task Force, confirmed Social Services had visited the area to assist people with legal status.
The government has repeatedly said only those with legal status in the country will be provided with housing support. Individuals on work permits are expected to be housed by their employers.
Mr Carey estimated that around 20 people live in the unregulated building. Demolition is expected next week.
Asked whether people are taking the eviction notices seriously, Mr Carey said: “A lot of persons are taking it seriously. They’re moving into regulated apartments and getting their lives together. But some persons, they just wish to continue living in a shanty town.”
Mr Carey said the task force is working to prevent more children from being raised in such conditions.
Another unregulated area visited by this newspaper was on Miller’s Road in the Bacardi Road area. The site included several dilapidated wooden homes that had also been marked for demolition.
Mr Carey said eviction notices had been issued there previously, but demolition was delayed as officials needed to confirm which structures were legally built.
Residents said the task force visited in December last year. While some people initially evacuated, many eventually returned.
Pinder: Temporary trailers not intended for long-term use have become problematic
However, in recent months, residents have raised growing concerns about the site, claiming it has become a hotspot for criminal activity.
Some residents claim the trailers, originally intended for government employees after Dorian, are being occupied by people not authorised to occupy them.
There are also reports that some units are now being rented out for profit –– echoing similar claims
made about the government dome housing sites established after Hurricane Dorian.
Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Alex Storr, the authority’s executive chairman, said no deadline has been set because background work with other agencies is ongoing, and officials are awaiting a report from partner organisations.
“As a matter of fact, we’re still trying to actually figure out who exactly is in those trailers and what rights they have to be in those trailers.”
Police investigate two shootings that left three people injured
A 19-yeAR-OLD woman is among three people in hospital after separate shootings in New Providence yesterday.
Police said they were alerted to the first incident on east Street shortly before 2am by an unknown caller. According to reports, the 19-year-old woman was leaving a business establishment when occupants of a Japanese-model vehicle fired a single shot in her direction, hitting her in the foot. She was taken to hospital and was last listed in stable
condition. About an hour later, police were alerted to a second shooting in the area of Rosedale Street off Mackey Street through ShotSpotter technology. Officers found two men, aged 29 and 31, who reported that they were leaving a business when they heard gunfire and realised they had been shot. Both men sustained serious injuries to their lower bodies and were last listed in serious but stable condition. Investigations are continuing.
Mr Storr said the most recent report indicated there were 50 trailers on site, with about four vacant and the rest
occupied. While the exact number of residents is unknown, approximately 46 trailers are currently occupied.
Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder previously told The Tribune that the trailers were never intended for
long-term use and have become problematic, citing health and safety risks and their inability to withstand storms.
‘Let’s work towards building a better future for Junkanoo’
JUNKANOO from page one
independence, those type events, has to be protected.”
“All the relevant parties has to sit down and resolve the issues and let’s work towards building a better future for Junkanoo and the entire cultural events.”
His comments come after a reported drop in attendance at this year’s Emancipation Day Rushout in Fox Hill, with organisers blaming the ongoing tensions for the decline.
The JCNP suspended all Junkanoo-related activities—including Emancipation Day events—to protest the government’s proposed National Junkanoo Authority Bill.
The matter escalated after the Genesis Junkanoo group claimed it was threatened with suspension and loss of privileges for expressing interest in participating in the Fox Hill Rush.
Fox Hill Festival Committee chairman Warren Davis said that while members from some groups voluntarily came together for a combined rush-out, it was not the same as in previous years, with the event lasting fewer hours than usual.
In response to the controversy, Dr Minnis called for cooler heads to prevail, stressing that a compromise can be reached.
“You can strike balances,” he added, “and there’s no reason why both entities, even with with other private sector involvement, can’t sit down and resolve the issue for the betterment of the country.”
“This is not personalities. You’re talking about the future of the country. You’re talking about making Junkanoo one day synonymous to The Bahamas.”
He said the country must
avoid a situation where a foreign entity recognises Junkanoo and incorporates it into their musical performances and “we lose out”.
“No, no, no. We have to resolve and prepare.”
Under the proposed bill, the new National Junkanoo Authority would consist of 15 members appointed by the minister. These include representatives from the JCNP, the National Junkanoo Committee, the Grand Bahama Junkanoo Corporation, the Family Island Junkanoo Corporation, various government
agencies, cultural institutions, and one person deemed most representative of persons involved in Junkanoo music.
However, the JCNP has opposed the proposal, calling it an attempt to centralise control and roll back its self-governance.
Broadcasting corporation denies victimisation in cutting interview with Fnm candidate
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter Lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
THE Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB) has rejected claims of political bias after Free National Movement (FNM) candidate Omar Isaacs’ live radio interview was cut short last week, sparking complaints of victimisation.
In a statement released yesterday, BCB said it “categorically rejects” claims of political interference, insisting the corporation remains “committed to impartiality and fairness” in its coverage of political developments.
The corporation was responding to criticism from Mr Isaacs and FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright, who called the decision to cut the programme short as “an affront to democratic principles and free speech.”
“Over the years, we have made a deliberate effort to provide balanced airtime to representatives of all political parties,” BCB said, adding that this includes weekly political segments and frequent appearances by members of both the governing and opposition parties.
BCB said Mr Isaacs has been featured in several news segments across its platforms, including ZNS Northern Service, as recently as the day before he launched his campaign.
“Every request for coverage made by Mr Isaacs has been honoured. At no point has he been denied access or opportunity to share his views through our platforms,” the statement read.
According to BCB, Mr Isaacs’ appearance on Man to Man Conversation was approved as the programme is intended to focus on issues affecting Bahamian men.
During commercial breaks, BCB said the station manager advised the host to steer the conversation back to the show’s intended focus. However, the discussion continued to deviate from
that direction.
“As a result, a decision was made to end the show early.”
The show, which typically runs 90 minutes, was reportedly ended after about 35 to 40 minutes.
BCB said Mr Isaacs did not contact the corporation’s executive management to lodge a formal complaint after the incident, but instead addressed the matter on social media in a way they described as including inappropriate and misleading comparisons.
“Should Mr Isaacs wish to discuss matters of national importance and a political nature, he is always welcomed back on the relevant platforms that have been designed for these conversations.”
The corporation also addressed Mr Cartwright’s comments, noting that he was recently invited and confirmed as a guest on ZNS’s political programme The Rundown but cancelled less than 24 hours before the scheduled appearance, after the episode had been promoted.
The company also reminded the public that it is a publicly funded institution “dedicated to serving the entire Bahamian community”, adding: “During this political season, and at all times, we reaffirm our commitment to journalistic integrity, fair access, and balanced reporting. We serve all Bahamians, regardless of political affiliation, with pride and professionalism.”
Problems have been affecting Grand Cay for over a year, say residents
island, we have no way of making a call,” said longtime resident Craig Cephas, who was sweating profusely, in a video posted on social media.
“Sometimes the power goes off all day and you left in the heat, and you don’t even have AC in your home. This is crazy, how people supposed to survive?”
Residents said that despite the arrival of a new generator last August or September, the issues have not been resolved.
Steven Russell, a fisherman, said residents can
barely perform basic tasks like showering, washing clothes, or flushing toilets due to the ongoing water and power problems.
“We have been dealing with this for so long, I am not talking about weeks and months. This has been ongoing issues since last year, for more than a year,” he told The Tribune.
According to Mr Russell, water is only available from 7am to 9am and again at 6pm for just an hour.
“We can’t wash clothes,” he added. “At nights you can’t use your bathroom because there is no water to flush your toilet. You wake in the morning you have to hurry up bathed. When you
come home from work, you can’t bathe.”
In addition to the island’s outdated water infrastructure, he said the generator cannot meet the current power demand. They also said frequent power cuts also take down the phone system, leaving residents unable to call for help during emergencies.
According to them, a Freeport-based company used to service the generator monthly, but the current administration awarded the contract to a Nassau-based company that has only visited once.
“This power company is being paid by this administration for years and years,
and they have not come over here to service the generator, to see if it is still running, to find out whether it had diesel in it,” Mr Cephas said.
In the absence of consistent government support, he said local officials had been purchasing diesel themselves to keep the generator running, but that has now stopped.
Tourism, one of the cay’s main economic drivers, is also being impacted.
Mr Cephas said over the weekend, the island was filled with American guests, many of whom left early due to the conditions.
“Every place that had rentals were booked out.
It was so sad that people could not even stay in their rooms,” the resident said, adding that guests returning from fishing were unable to take showers or clean their vessels.
“Nobody should be going through what we going through with the power and water situation. We can’t shower on this island.
In this heat, I am sitting in the comfort of my home, it’s not comfort no more.
Sweat is pouring off me,” Mr Cephas said. Residents also criticised the government’s inaction, noting that no official has visited to assess the situation.
Referencing the island’s
MP, Kirk Cornish, Mr Russell said: “The worse situation about all of this is that he was employed at Water Sewerage before he became MP. He is aware of the situation. Everything is being ignored.” In response, the Free National Movement issued a statement criticising the government’s failure to address the issues in Grand Cay.
“It should never have to come to this—residents of Grand Cay pleading on social media for basic services like water, electricity, and phone access,” the statement read.
“This government has failed the people of Grand Cay.”
South African delegation commemorates Emancipation Day in The Bahamas
Former Prime minister Dr Hubert minnis
Fnm candidate for West GB and Bimini Omar Isaacs.
Governor General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt (left) welcomed Acting High Commissioner, Phumeza Mukendi of the Republic of South Africa during a courtesy call on Emancipation Day at Fox Hill Community Centre. Also present were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fred Mitchell (left in group photo) and South African Honorary Consul Werner Gruner. The Acting High Commissioner visited The Bahamas for Emancipation Day festivities and for commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Nassau Accord, which played a role in ending apartheid in South Africa. Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS
‘Regulations needed to help curb shark attacks’
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMiAn marine expert is calling for stronger regulation and enforcement of marine tourism and fishing practices after a series of recent shark attacks in local waters.
Dr Ancilleno Davis, founder of Science & Perspective, a science education platform that explains ecological issues through a Bahamian lens, told The Tribune that such incidents are preventable and often stem from unsafe practices that remain unregulated.
“Most shark attacks happen because people are in the water where the sharks are, and they are often doing something that would attract sharks,” Dr Davis said.
Dr Davis, who has conducted extensive work in marine conservation, biodiversity protection and science education, explained that shark feeding frenzies can be triggered by activities such as chumming or the presence of wounded fish, making it difficult for sharks to distinguish between prey and humans.
“if you get bitten by a shark, it is not going to be that simple,” he said. “They are not just biting people randomly. There are often other factors like alcohol, inexperience, or misleading portrayals of sharks as harmless.”
He criticised what he described as widespread gaps in regulation, where tour and dive operators often chum waters near swimmers with no consequence.
“You have one dive boat going to a location to snorkel, and another boat goes there and starts throwing food in the water to get sharks excited. That does not make any sense,” Dr Davis said.
“We do not have enforcement in place, and we do not have any fines or anything to stop people from doing that. As soon as you see a dive boat doing something like that, they should have a suspended license.”
He added that while experienced fishermen often exit the water once sharks appear, others may stay due to economic pressure or lack of awareness.
“A fisherman’s basket will never get full, but a
shark can,” he said. “They see the shark, and instead of letting go of the fish, they hold on and think they can make it back in time.”
“These infrequent but significant events cause people to have knee-jerk reactions that do not represent what is really happening in the environment.”
Dr Davis advocated for zoning of marine activity areas, where certain zones would prohibit fishing or shark feeding to minimise human-wildlife conflict.
- Dr Ancilleno Davis
“There should be some snorkelling sites where no one is allowed to chum the water, no one is allowed to feed sharks at all, and you are not allowed to go fishing,” he said.
He further recommended regular public education campaigns, especially for fishers and tour operators, to build awareness of shark behaviour and safety protocols.
“These infrequent but significant events cause people to have kneejerk reactions that do not represent what is really happening in the environment,” he said.
“We have more people in the water, more tourists, and more fishermen. As long as we are taking more food from sharks, they will look for more.”
André Musgrove, a Bahamian underwater photographer, filmmaker and private dive guide, also raised concerns in a previously submitted letter to The Tribune about the impact of repeated feeding and fishing practices on shark behaviour in Bahamian waters.
Mr Musgrove, who has worked closely with international shark researchers, said such activities condition sharks to associate boats and swimmers with food, particularly in areas where fish scraps are routinely discarded or chumming is conducted.
He cited data from the Global Shark Attack File indicating 24 reported shark bites in The Bahamas between 2018 and 2023, including five nonfatal bites related to spearfishing, with most occurring around Abaco.
Mother says her son was afraid for his life the last time he left home
TITLE from page one
Moxey had been picked up by his friends, Leo Jones and Levardo Whylly, that evening and had not been seen since.
During her testimony, Ms Gray erupted in tears and had to be comforted by Glendon Rolle, the attorney who represented Moxey’s family at the inquest.
Ms Gray said her son seemed very afraid and
shaky the last time she saw him. She said he was afraid for his life. She also said her son told that if anything should happen to him that she could buy his house.
Ms Gray said in the month leading up to his disappearance Moxey appeared uneasy. She further said that her son went to the East Street South Police Station and reported that members of a gang wanted to kill him. However, she said her son never told her why they wanted
to kill him.
Supt Evans testified that Moxey was fitted with a monitoring device at the time of his disappearance. The officer said on the day of his disappearance the device went offline and has never been recovered.
Moxey was granted bail in October 2014 for an armed robbery charge from 2013.
Angelo Whitfield serves as the evidence marshal.
The Coroner is Kara Turnquest Deveaux.
Terrance Miller Jr., 29
a resident Albury Street, Chippingham, New Providence, Bahamas will be held on (TODAY) Wednesday, 6th August, 2025, 11:00am at Pilgrim Ministries International #40 Minnie Street, New Providence. Officiating will be Reverend Ednal Minnis. Interment will follow in the Western Cemetery, Nassau Street, New Providence.
Left to cherish his memories are his mother: Lorraine Glinton; father: Terrance Miller Sr.; sisters: Janika and Jessica Mott and Tonette Miller; brothers: Jeremy Balfour and Terran Miller; nieces: Darineka Neeley, Love Thompson and Treasure Stuart; nephews: Renaldo Martin Jr., Skye and Ja’Zion Thompson and Jaylen Stuart; aunts: Jennifer and Theresa Glinton, Rochelle Bain, Icelyn, Desiree, Marsha and Ottley Miller; uncles: Winston and Gregory Lindsay, Audley, Marcko, Bobby and Deon Miller; cousins: Shatiska Smith, Jovano and Joel Knowles, Ovando and Racquel Glinton, Vanessa and Charisma Thompson Trenico Davis, Sharmaine Wilder, Winslow, Gregory Jr., Gerrard and Lyndia Lindsay, Ulysses Jr., Cherreah and Cherdisha Hindsey, Lauren and Paul Jr. Thurston; and a host of other relatives and friends including: Joseph and Darren Bain, Basil Hunt, Michelle Williams and Family, Ruthnell Mcneil, Portia Francis and Family, Anthony Smith and Family, Leanardo Pierre, Deborah Duncombe and Family and many others too numerous to mention.
Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at Heritage Memorial Mortuary #20 Claridge Road, New Providence on (TODAY) Wednesday from 10:00am until service time.
The biTTen arm of Mike Raich who was attacked by a shark near Spanish Cay in Abaco.
A Tiger shark.
Photo: Daniel Torobekov
The Tribune Limited
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
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LEON E. H. DUPUCH
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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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Bulldozers and the appearance of action
THE bulldozers are going to knock down some more shanty town buildings next week – but will that really deal with the problem?
Let us be clear – unregulated construction should not be allowed, of that there is no doubt, but often we see shanty buildings being knocked down only for others to appear again in short order.
There is often little sympathy for those who are being displaced –people grumbling that those residents shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
Well, perhaps so, but while we seem to move regularly enough to knock down the buildings, sometimes makeshift, sometimes well established, what are we doing about those who allow the buildings to be built on their land in the first place?
Take the man in today’s front-page story – a Haitian man by the name of Mr Louissaint, who told our reported that he must move out from the property he has lived in for two years because it is going to be demolished next week.
It is one of the properties in an area on Fire Trail Road. The multi-dwelling should not be there, but it is. And evidently has been for years.
Who was the person who told him he would have to move out? His landlord, apparently, who was due to be paid the next lot of $350 rent a few days after the eviction.
Mr Louissaint has no house to move to – and off he will go to wherever he can find. But that man who is collecting rent on an illegal property, what happens to him?
That is often the unanswered question in these stories of shanty town demolitions. This is far from the first time we hear of landlords coming through and collecting money from such residences.
It is all well and good taking action to those we identify as living in illegal residences – but what are we doing to take action against those who enable those circumstances to happen?
These houses don’t just appear by magic. In the aftermath of Hurricane
Dorian in Abaco, there was a proliferation of shanty towns. Why? Well, many construction workers did not want to come to Abaco to help rebuild houses – there was nowhere for them to stay. So others came and started reconstruction – while putting a roof over their own head on any bit of land they could find where they wouldn’t get tossed out right away.
There were reports recently of shanty construction near Hope Town. The island there is small, and it is highly unlikely that people would be able to live there without being noticed.
But why did those shanty residents set up there in the first place? The only reason they would be there is because they came for work – work that Bahamians were more than willing to offer at a rate that might not attract other Bahamians.
Let us bear in mind too that surveys have previously shown that many shanty town residents have plenty of rights to be in The Bahamas. A survey in 2018 showed that 70 percent of shanty residents in New Providence had a legal right to reside in the country – with only six percent undocumented. The largest group, 32 percent, had work permits, and 21 percent had permanent residency. Another 15 percent were Bahamian and three percent more had spousal permits.
Shanty towns do not just appear. Knocking them down does not make the economic reasons behind their existence disappear. If we really want to tackle shanty towns, we need to tackle the issues surrounding employment, issues such as the lack of affordable housing, and deal with those who break the laws whether they are living in an illegal dwelling or whether they are the Bahamian charging them to live on the land illegally in the first place.
Bringing in the bulldozers may look like action – but the fact these communities spring up again show that it is a temporary solution at best, and meaningful action would be to remove the causes for their existence in the first place.
Inspiring life of Nicki Kelly
EDITOR, The Tribune.
IT was with great sadness that I learned of Nicki Kelly’s passing. At 20, I was a newly minted reporter. Prior to coming to work at The Tribune , I didn’t know who she was.
I soon found out. You knew you were running with the big dogs when Nicki or P Anthony White called to discuss your article.
My heart would pound.
“What did I get wrong? Please Lord, no retraction,” I’d hope.
I’d grabbed my notebook and pen, listening and writing as they provided vital context and background on what I’d reported, often sending me to Mr. Christopher Bain in The
Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day! Email your high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net
Children subjected to parents
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I AM noticing a disturbing trend in this nation. We are moving away from disciplining children. The Bahamas needs to withdraw from whatever they signed with the UN. When countries sign these agreements, they come under the control of these organisations that do not honor or fear God. These organisations have an agenda.
We do not need to sign an agreement that says children have rights because we already know they are entitled to certain things because they are human beings. Still, we cannot forget that they are children. Children must come under subjection to parents or guardians as long as they are not harming them. Children need to be guided and trained until they become adults.
Our young men especially need the discipline offered by that organisation so we must not demonise the organisation.
I am often on school campuses and I have noticed that students have become more disrespectful toward adults and lack restraint.
Many of them will tell any adult of any age anything. Respect for the elderly is fading away.
Many children have an attitude of entitlement.
They can say or do anything to an adult but when it’s time to face consequences, everything is abuse.
beating is the answer for everything because it is not. What I am saying is discipline, which may include corporal punishment is necessary to keep order in our schools and to train our youth. They also need prayer and God’s word to be hidden in their hearts.
Tribune’s archives for further research. Those calls, those gentle “tap-ups” made me better. I appreciated that Nicki took the time to help me fully inform the public. Of course, I loved it even more on those rare occasions when she had nothing else to add to what I wrote and only called to say job well done. Reflecting on those days reminds me of the invaluable roles Nicki and P Anthony played in the newsroom. They (and a few others, including Tribune Publisher Mrs Eileen Carron) were our Bahamian Google - an invaluable resource to any novice who had the good sense not to be overly
sensitive to critiques. They didn’t mince words. Their guidance, however, was indispensable for our work.
Drawing from my experience, to the young reporters of today, I say: if a former journalist calls, take the time to listen objectively. Once a journalist, always a journalist; we want nothing more than to see you shine and in so doing shed light on issues of the day, with integrity.
My heartfelt condolences go to Nicki’s family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. May her legacy continue to inspire us all.
TOSHEENA ROBINSON August 5, 2025.
Nowadays many Bahamian adults have become too silly and sophisticated to allow their kids to get a cut hip. Today everything is called abuse. It is ridiculous and if you have observed children in our schools and on the streets, you can see how this mindset has eroded the behavior and core values of many of our youth.
The Bible tells you if you spare the rod, you spoil the child. It also says, “ Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child and the rod of correction will drive it out.”
Abuse is not acceptable but getting a cut hip with the belt, getting the cane at school, or your grammy using the tamarind switch on you is not abuse.
The incident in the paper about Defence Force Rangers being treated wrongly is unfortunate and that situation is not acceptable. It must be dealt with but we must not demonise the whole organisation. Many young people became focused and disciplined adults because they passed through that programme.
Many teachers go into classrooms where students loudly curse them under their clothes, insult them about their appearance and refuse to follow their instructions. How are they supposed to feel and how are they supposed to function?
We need corporal punishment in our schools. All children may not need it but many do. Just as a child should have a healthy fear and respect for his or her parents, a child should have a healthy fear and respect for authority figures in schools and in general. We need to withdraw from that agreement because we have our way of running our country in the Bahamas and in the Caribbean. Each country can do what works for them. No one should be forced to comply to another country’s standards. Look at how many of our young men are involved in robberies and murders. Look at the case where a group of teen boys gang raped another boy. Look at how many of our youth act in public and at school. Some of their own parents cannot control them.
I am not saying that
Some of our schools are chaotic because administrators are afraid to discipline unruly, rude students. These students walk around proudly intimidating others and even letting teachers know they “run things”. This is a breeding ground for chaos and conflict. The ministry of education needs to support teachers and administrators by allowing them to discipline students as they find necessary. They need to let parents know that they can take their kids to private schools if they have a problem with corporal punishment.
Studies have shown that both boys and girls fare better when they have a father in the home. I am not knocking single mothers, but there is a different kind of energy in a home when a strong father or father figure is there. This is because men represent discipline and children need discipline.
If The Bahamas does not want what America and other countries have, we have to hold onto our foundational principles of manners, respect and discipline. A child has rights to an extent, but they must know that they must come under subjection to parents, guardians and authority figures.
We cannot let our guard down as a nation. We cannot let our young people lose morals and discipline and the fear and respect of God.
We cannot let what is happening in other countries, find its way here.
PRESERVE THE BAHAMAS Nassau, August 1, 2025.
Directional signage on West Street near Graycliff.
Photo: timothy roberts
Retired public health workers in GB call on govt to assist them with rising cost of living
BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
RETIRED public health workers in Grand Bahama are calling for a pension increase and additional government tax concessions in response to the rising cost of living, which they say is straining their fixed incomes.
The workers, represented by the Grand Bahama Health Services Retirees Alliance – formed last year – believe the current pension system should be revisited and are urging the government to work with them to address their concerns.
“Our pension remains the same, while the cost of living continues to rise,” said Alexander Burrows, the alliance’s trustee.
“We remain where we are financially from the time we retired.”
“We are still paying
taxes. We are still a good chunk of this community, and we’re asking the government to understand that,” he said. He noted that while current government employees benefit from salary increases, retirees do not, despite continuing to pay taxes and contribute to society.
“There are some things we think the government, who was once our employer, can do to assist us who would have already labored in the vineyard,” he said. “And that is to revisit the pension system.”
The association said it is seeking a meeting with the Public Hospitals Authority and government officials to further discuss the issue.
In addition, the group wants to explore the possibility of Value-Added Tax (VAT) concessions and other forms of financial relief specifically for
retirees.
Mr Burrows also suggested that retirees be issued a special smart card to help offset expenses, possibly for groceries, medication, or other necessities.
While acknowledging the government has many obligations, he stressed that retirees should not be overlooked.
He added that the organisation hopes to give back by launching a community garden or farm on the Rand Memorial Hospital grounds, where retirees can grow fresh, nutritious food for patients and promote healthy lifestyles.
“There’s a lot of land on the Rand property we could use,” Mr Burrows said. “We want to create a space where all retirees can contribute to something meaningful.
Reverend Sheryl Bain, vice president of the alliance, said members also
Man accused of pushing wo M an against
car and groping her
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was granted bail yesterday after being accused of pushing a woman against her car and groping her in a supermarket parking lot last week.
Prosecutors allege that Kyle Stubbs, 30, pushed the victim, a 35-year-old
woman, against her car and grabbed her behind after she exited Super Value on East Street South on August 2.
Store patrons reportedly came to the woman’s aid after being alerted to the alleged assault. The defendant denied the offence during his arraignment yesterday and was granted $7,000 bail with one
plan to provide volunteer services.
“Most executives and members have a wealth of knowledge and experience we want to share,” she said. Their comments come as
or two sureties.
As part of his bail conditions, he must wear a monitoring device and report to the East Street South Police Station on the last Sunday of every month. Stubbs’ trial is set for September 23. He ws arraigned before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on one count of indecent assault.
Man charged over deadly drive-by shooting on
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after being charged with a fatal drive-by shooting on West Street last month.
Acting Chief Magistrate
Roberto Reckley charged Jermaine Noulus, 28, with murder. Noulus, along with accomplices, allegedly shot and killed Jimmy Laurenvil, 31, after pulling up beside him in a dark Japanese vehicle on July 18.
West St
He was not required to enter a plea and was informed that his case will be transferred to the Supreme Court via a voluntary bill of indictment, due for service on November 27. Ian Cargill represented the accused.
Man accused of failed murder attempt
By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was remanded to prison after being accused of a failed murder attempt in Montell Heights last month.
Police allege that Alvin Morley Jr, 26, shot and injured Bertram Paul with a handgun on St Jude’s Way on July 26. Paul
suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was treated in hospital. Yesterday, Morley Jr was arraigned on charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The accused was not required to enter a plea. He was informed the matter will be transferred to the Supreme Court via
a voluntary bill of indictment, expected to be served on November 27.
Morley Jr was advised of his right to apply for bail in the higher court. He will be held at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) in the meantime.
Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the matter, while Ian Cargill represented the accused
the organisation marked its first anniversary since its official establishment on August 19, 2024. Among other things, the group aims to offer soft skills training, experience-based guidance, and
of
From left are Alexander Burrows, trustee of GB Health Services Retirees Alliance; Sheryl Bain, vice president; Valeria Burrows, president; Shirley Weech, trustee; and Yvonne Clark, assistant treasurer.
EmmanuEl Kwadwo agyEKum, Minister of State in the Office of the President, Republic of Ghana, paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOTIA) Chester Cooper, July 29, 2025 at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Photos: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS
‘What ya gonna do with your freedom?’
What you gonna do with your freedom? this is the question posed by Freedom Morning Come, a play by Entou Pearl Springer, performed in front of the treasury Building in Port of Spain on the morning of august 1—Emancipation Day in trinidad.
In the early hours of Emancipation morning, scores of people gathered to see the play. Freedom Morning Come is a play that depicts the day that enslaved people received the news that they were to be freed. the characters bore the names of enslaved people and told stories of capture, unsafe voyage, suicide, enslavement, violence, grief, and longing for both home and family. they began to look forward, imagining what life as free people would look and feel like.
“What you gonna do with your freedom?” they asked one another, and the responses varied. at the end of the play, the question was posed to us, the audience, supposedly free.
this week, I shared this question with several people, inviting them to share their answers with me and with you. I found that people think of freedom in many different ways. Some focus on the freedom of today and making the most of it, some see that the freedom we currently have is still limited, some are acutely aware of the absence of freedom for others, and some think deeply about the duty they have to use their freedom for the benefit of other people.
Freedom realised
It is easy to take our freedom, however we view it, for granted. In asking people what they
By Alicia Wallace
are going to do with their freedom, I have been exposed to the ways that some people are living in their freedom now and reveling in the ability to make decisions for themselves.
here is what Myra M McPhee shared:
“What I have done with my freedom is such a profound question because of the nuanced nature of the definition of the word. today, I am the freest I’ve ever been. I have a home, I am healthy, and I am loved by family and friends. I have the kind of freedom that allows me to travel whenever and wherever, I can schedule my annual doctor appointments a year in advance and schedule same-day virtual appointments, and I play Bahamian Citizenship test games on twitter with other Bahamians during business hours. I advocate for myself at work. I scream on behalf of others against systemic discriminatory laws. I create art. I am free free.
“My grandmother didn’t have the opportunity to go past the 6th grade and raised 12 children on John Street. My mother, a very smart woman with numbers and long-term planning, wasn’t able to go to college after her 12th grade year at aquinas. then there is me. I’ve earned 1 bachelor’s degree, 2 master’s degrees, and other academic accolades. My
dreams and goals have not been limited. they have been fueled by my freedom and the sacrifices of the women in my family. I am free because my elders did way too much with way too little.
“I have the freedom of choice, comfort, and convenience. So with my freedom I choose to visit Nassau multiple times a year, I choose to be an artist and an administrator, I choose not to be stressed or hopeless. I am the kind of free that is committed to not missing birthdays, Mother’s days, or other special occasions. I am free to be present at the important moments.
“My grandmother and mother did the impossible with their limited freedom. With my boundless freedom, I choose to live a life the way I want. My existence is political, and yet I still thrive, because I cling to my freedom. It is a precious gift that I cherish every day.”
Freedom awareness
Do you have awareness, every single day, of your freedom? Some people are working to remember, to know, to act on their freedom on a daily basis, while trying to remind others of their own freedom.
“I have been using my freedom by trying to remember everyday that I actually have it. Some days, I feel like I am responsible to alert others to their own freedom and
“My grandmother and mother did the impossible with their limited freedom. With my boundless freedom, I choose to live a life the way I want. My existence is political, and yet I still thrive, because I cling to my freedom. It is a precious gift that I cherish every day.”
ensuring them access, but then most days that feels ridiculously self-important. I think I just have to make sure that I keep using mine. that I wring it out so that anyone watching can use it as an example if they desire,” said Niambi hall Campbell Dean, PhD.
Can Freedom and inequality Coexist?
For some, it is difficult to contend with the idea of freedom while experiencing and witnessing various forms of inequality.
EW said: “I’ve been wrestling with the question of freedom a lot recently, especially regarding gender inequality. as a young Bahamian, it has often felt difficult— almost contradictory— to respect and appreciate the sacrifices our ancestors made for us to get to where we are today, while acknowledging and understanding that we still have a ways to go. Emancipation Day, among other holidays such as Independence Day, is a reminder that we did not always enjoy the liberties, rights, and freedoms that we at times take for granted today. It’s also a reminder of the power of people to join together, despite our differences, and achieve a common goal— one that realises better outcomes and conditions for those facing discrimination and oppression.”
“these observances should inspire us to fight complacency and discouragement and encourage us to channel our predecessors’ determination to make the changes we would like to see for
ourselves and those who will come after us,” she continued. “On this Emancipation Day, I will take the time to reflect on the importance of collective action and justice and express my gratitude for those who made sacrifices for our freedom.”
are we Free while others are not?
By now, we are all aware of the settler colonialism, extractivism, and genocide that are constraining and erasing the freedom of people, and people themselves, all over the world. anyone who is awake to these ongoing horrors and the failure of the international community to take action to stop them must think of those horrors when conversations about freedom arise.
“Free Congo. Free haiti. Free Sudan. Free Palestine,” Orchid Burnside said.
Freedom as a tool to help others
Even for those who acknowledge that there is still a long way to go in experiencing and inhabiting freedom, there are ways to leverage the freedom we do have to support other people and to build a better world.
Kendria PercentieFerguson said: “With my freedom, I’ve chosen to serve. I use my voice and skills to advocate for justice, climate resilience, and equity, especially for communities that are often overlooked. to me, freedom means purpose. It’s choosing work that centers the vulnerable, challenges systems, and uplifts others. I’m still growing, still healing, but
I try to use my freedom with intention every day.” Dr ancilleno Davis of @SciPerspective said:
“I give others freedom. through Science and Perspective, I teach youth and Bahamian communities how to use science to build their own body of knowledge so that they can in turn make the decisions their communities need. When information, science, education and choices are gatekept, it constricts the freedom of people. When we allow those affected by the choice the opportunity to learn what choices are being made, see and become involved in the processes used to make those decisions, and review the decisions before they are cemented, we strengthen the freedoms and the society we participate in.” i s there Freedom where there is no Choi Ce?
there is a freedom from and there is freedom to.
One does not necessarily guarantee the other. a function of freedom is the ability to make a choice on one’s own, and true choice comes from the availability of options. there are ways that freedom may not be fully enjoyed due to the constraints of day-to-day responsibilities shouldered by individuals and groups that do not have the support of systems and resources that would enable them to exercise more free will.
When asked what they would do with their freedom, a person who will remain anonymous said,
“Nothing, not a single thing. to me freedom is the power to choose from a place of want/desire and not need. as I sit here in an airport dreading my return to navigating adult diapers and incessant emails, only answer I got is nothing. I am going to do nothing with my freedom.”
what you gonna do with your Freedom?
What about you? What you gonna do with your freedom? What have you done with it until now? If you would like to contribute to the responses that will be shared next week, send yours to shesubscribestostuff@gmail.com.
Screen capture of the Freedom Monday Morning play.
Millions flocking to grow virtual gardens in viral roblox ga Me created by teenager
By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer
Whether it serves as a chill escape from the onslaught of the real world or simply a way to beat vacation doldrums, a viral roblox game about gardening has become the surprise hit of the summer.
Grow a Garden, created by a 16-year-old in a few days, has shattered records for the most concurrent players of any game in history, beating out video games that take years and millions of dollars to develop.
And there’s no one to shoot, fight or race. If your last attempt at cultivating vegetables was FarmVille in 2010, don’t worry — your tomatoes will grow even if you never water them.
Grow a Garden is as simple as its name suggests — players can fill a plot of land with plants and animals, harvest and sell, trade or steal each others’ bounty. the game is low stress, with an aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft and a soundtrack of soothing classical tunes such as Mozart’s rondo Alla turca playing in the background. Its popularity has further cemented roblox’ place not just in the gaming world but in popular culture — for better or for worse, it’s where the kids hang out.
“the word I keep hearing used over and over to describe this particular game is that it’s chill, which is just such a nice
alternative. I get a lot of sort of that Animal Crossing vibe from it. You know, like you can check in, you can check your gardens, you can get some new seeds, you can plant them,” said Betsy Bozdech, editorial director at the nonprofit Common Sense Media. “I have an 11-year-old son who (plays it) and he says to him the big difference is that a lot of games have a big giant objective that you have to do, but in Grow a Garden, you can just kind of hang out and do what you want.”
Coincidence or not, Grow a Garden soared to popularity around the same time that take-two Interactive announced it would delay the launch of its wildly anticipated Grand theft Auto 6 until next year. In late June, the gardening game logged 21.6 million concurrent players, surpassing Fortnite’s previous record of 15.2 million according to roblox.
Analysts who follow roblox’s stock say Grow a Garden is helping boost the company’s revenue and will push the company’s quarterly earnings numbers above Wall Street’s expectations.
While it’s not clear if the GtA audience flocked to this simple gardening game to pass the time until then, the timing reignited the age-old debate about who gamers are and what titles are taken seriously by the video game establishment. It happened with Candy Crush, with puzzle games, with Animal Crossing.
Are people who play cozy games true gamers? Or is the title reserved for the folks who shoot enemies in Call of Duty or drive around creating mayhem in GtA?
“there’s a huge percentage of gamers that play roblox and the actual industry just views it as like this esoterically immature platform of weird gameplay habits,” said Janzen Madsen, the New Zealandbased CeO and founder of Splitting Point studios, which acquired the game from its teenage creator. “Well, I actually think in five years this is what player expectation is gonna be. And because you guys haven’t embraced it, like you’re not gonna know how to make games.”
to start growing your garden, you’ll need a roblox account. the game will start you out with an empty plot and some money — sheckles — and a starter seed. From there, you can plant seeds, harvest and sell your crops and buy more seeds, animals or tools for your garden. While it is possible to play the game without spending real-world money, it will take longer. Once you sell enough crops, you earn money to buy more expensive seeds beyond basic carrots and blueberries.
“For me, I just, I really want to get all the rarest stuff. I’m a completionist, so I want everything and that’s what’s fun for me,” said Leah Ashe, a Youtuber who plays Grow a Garden and other
popular games to an audience of 5.3 million. “It’s really cool because you can come together because the seed shop is global, so everybody’s shop is the exact same. So you can work with other people and be like, ‘Oh my gosh, the sugar apple is in stock. Get online!’ the seed shop updates every five minutes, so there’s always something pulling you back into the game.”
For roblox, which has faced a backlash for not doing enough to protect kids on its gaming service, Grow a Garden has served as something of a reprieve — along with new safety measures such as chat restrictions and privacy tools.
New players get help from more established peers who send them gifts and let them know when rare seeds become available in the seed shop.
Bozdech said that “if you have the right supervision and guidance,” roblox can be a positive experience for kids, allowing them to create their own designs or practice coding, for instance.
“Something like Grow a Garden, particularly, is a nice opportunity maybe for parents and kids to play together,” she said.
And perhaps the slow cultivating of a magical garden can benefit parents too.
“It’s hitting a nerve, you know?” Bozdech said. “People need an escape from the world, I think we all do.”
Japanese ga Me M aker nintendo reports robust profits on strong switch 2 sales
By YURI KAGEYAMA AP Business Writer
NINteNDO, the Japanese video game maker behind the Super Mario and Pokemon franchises, reported an 18.6% surge in net profit for the first fiscal quarter Friday on the back of strong demand for its new Switch 2 console. Kyoto-based Nintendo Co.’s April-June profit totalled 96.03 billion yen ($640 million), up from nearly 81 billion yen. Quarterly sales more than doubled to 572.36 billion yen ($3.8 billion).
Nintendo said it sold 3.5 million Switch 2 game consoles globally on the first four days after it hit store shelves June 5, a record pace for a Nintendo game machine. Its sales continue to be strong, it said. the company said the new console’s higher price added to sales growth momentum. the new version sells for about $450 compared to $300 for the previous Switch when it first went on sale in 2017, . especially popular games included “Mario Kart World” and “Donkey Kong Bananza.” “Pokemon Friends,” which went on sale last month for the older Switch, can be also played on the new Switch. the Switch works both as a handheld portable machine and as a home console.
Nintendo stuck to its forecast to sell 15 million Switch 2 machines through this fiscal year. Nintendo left unchanged its profit forecast for the year through March 2026, at 300 billion yen ($2 billion) profit, up nearly 8% on year.
Nintendo stock, which has steadily climbed in the past year gaining more than 50%, edged down nearly 1% before earnings were announced. there are some worries about the impact of President Donald trump’s tariffs on Japanese exports, but that did not appear to affect Nintendo’s overall projections.
Titan submersible report says implosion was preventable and CEO ignored safety risks
PORTLAND Associated Press
The Titan submersible disaster could have been prevented, the US Coast Guard said in a report Tuesday that held OceanGate CeO Stockton Rush responsible for ignoring safety warnings, design flaws and crucial oversight which, had he survived, may have resulted in criminal charges.
Rush and four passengers were killed instantly deep below the North Atlantic in June 2023 when Titan suffered a catastrophic implosion as it descended to the wreck of the Titanic. A multi-day search for survivors off Canada grabbed international headlines, and the tragedy led to lawsuits and calls for tighter regulation of the burgeoning private deep sea expedition industry.
The Coast Guard determined the safety procedures at OceanGate, a private company based in Washington state, were “critically flawed” and found “glaring disparities” between safety protocols and actual practices.
Preventing the next Titan disaster
Jason Neubauer with the Marine Board of Investigation said the findings will help avoid future tragedies.
“There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework,” he said in a statement.
OceanGate suspended operations in July 2023. A spokesperson for OceanGate, Christian hammond, said
the company has been wound down and was fully cooperating with the investigation, and offered condolences to the families of those who died and everyone affected.
‘Red flags’ at OceanGate Investigators pointed to OceanGate’s culture of downplaying, ignoring and even falsifying key safety information to improve its reputation and evade scrutiny from regulators.
The company ignored “red flags” and had a “toxic workplace culture,” where firings of senior staff and the looming threat of being fired were used to dissuade employees and contractors from expressing safety concerns.
Rush, a former test flight engineer for fighter jets, founded the company in 2009 after years of
experience in aerospace and aviation.
The Marine Board concluded that Rush had an “escalating disregard for established safety protocols,” which contributed to the deaths of four people. If Rush were alive, the board would have passed the case to the US Department of Justice and he may have faced criminal charges, the board said.
Rush bragged he’d ‘buy a congressman’ if challenged
The company reclassified submersible passengers as “mission specialists” to bypass regulations on small passenger vessels and claim its subs were oceanic research vessels. Former mission specialists and OceanGate employees said their participation was “purely for a ride in the submersible,
Haitian police arrest a former senator accused of working wit H gangs to attack a peaceful community
POlICe in haiti have arrested a former senator charged with conspiring against the state and financing criminal organizations for allegedly supporting gang members.
Nenel Cassy was arrested Saturday at a restaurant in Petionville, a wealthy district of the capital, Port-au Prince, haiti’s National Police said in a post on Facebook. The police shared photos of the former senator in handcuffs next to heavily armed officers wearing ski masks.
Arrests of high level officials are rare in haiti, where the government is also struggling to control neighbourhoods and villages that have been taken over by gangs.
Cassy was designated as a corrupt actor by the US State Department in 2023. he was accused by haiti’s police in February of backing gang members who launched deadly attacks on Kenscoff, a neighbourhood 10 kilometres (6 miles) outside Portau-Prince that is home to much of the nation’s elite. Kenscoff had been largely untouched by haiti’s gang violence until February’s attacks in which dozens of people were killed. The neighbourhood is now being targeted by gangs that are trying to seize more territory from haiti’s government.
On Sunday, Kenscoff’s mayor told The Associated Press that nine workers were kidnapped from an orphanage in that neighbourhood by armed men, including a foreign citizen whose nationality has not been confirmed. Mayor Massillon Jean said the attack happened around 2 am The orphanage that came under attack on Sunday is run by Nuestros Pequeños hermanos, an international charity with offices in Mexico and France that is also known as NPh. It shelters more than 240 children,
according to the organization’s website.
In a statement published on Sunday, NPh said that seven staff members and one youth were taken from its home for vulnerable and at risk children in Kenscoff. The organization confirmed that one of the staff members taken is a foreigner, whose identity and nationality will not be revealed for security reasons. NPh also said that two hospitals it runs in haiti will be closed until the people taken from its orphanage have been safely released.
Gangs control 90% of haiti’s capital, according to the United Nations, and in recent months they have been launching attacks on previously peaceful communities. More than 5,600 people were reported killed in haiti last year, with gang violence leaving more than 1 million people homeless in recent years, according to the UN The UN recorded 185 victims of kidnapping in haiti between April and June of this year, and said that gangs commit this crime to “subjugate” people in areas under their control.
not for scientific research,” the report said.
Rush and OceanGate received numerous warnings about Titan’s fraudulent classifications.
In 2017, Rush was told by a Coast Guard Reserve officer hired by OceanGate that his planned Titanic dive would be illegal.
Rush said “he would buy a congressman” if ever confronted by regulators, the officer testified.
Over the years, the company resorted to increasingly deceptive strategies, the report said.
By 2021, an OceanGate attorney falsely informed a federal court in Virginia — which was presiding over The Titan’s authorization to conduct dives — that the vessel was registered in the Bahamas, even though it wasn’t.
To obtain his credentials, Rush submitted a fraudulent sea service letter signed by OceanGate’s chief operations officer to the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center, the report said. In the letter, Rush claimed past service as a crew member on Titan and misrepresented the size of the vessel, when in fact it had never been registered or admeasured.
Titan’s inadequacies
Investigators found the submersible’s design, certification, maintenance and inspection process were all inadequate. The vessel’s carbon fibre hull design and construction introduced flaws that “weakened the overall structural integrity” of its hull, the report stated.
Mounting financial
SAN JUAN Associated Press
A 5.7 MAGNITUDe earthquake struck off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic early Tuesday, jolting residents awake in the Caribbean country and in neighbouring Puerto Rico. The quake occurred 24 miles (38 kilometres) southeast of Boca de Yuma at a depth of 104 miles (168 kilometres), according to the US Geological Survey. No damage was reported. Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are located in a high seismic activity zone, given that the North American Plate and the northeast corner of the Caribbean Plate meet in that area.
pressures in 2023 led to a decision by OceanGate to store the Titan submersible outdoors over the Canadian winter, where its hull was exposed to temperature fluctuations that compromised the integrity of the vessel, the report said.
The victims of the Titan disaster
The implosion also killed French underwater explorer Paul-henri Nargeolet, known as “Mr. Titanic,” British adventurer hamish harding, and two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood.
Nargeolet’s family filed a $50 million lawsuit last year that said the crew experienced “terror and mental anguish” before the disaster. The lawsuit accused OceanGate of gross negligence.
The Titan’s final dive Titan had been making voyages to the Titanic site since 2021. The Titan’s final dive came on the morning of June 18, 2023. The submersible lost contact with its support vessel about two hours later, and was reported overdue that afternoon. Ships, planes and equipment were rushed to the scene about 435 miles (700 kilometres) south of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The Coast Guard-led team operated under the possibility there could be survivors for several days. Wreckage would subsequently be found on the ocean floor about 330 yards (300 meters) off the bow of the Titanic.
A 4.1 magnitude earthquake also struck near haiti’s capital late Monday at a depth of three miles (five kilometres), according to the country’s civil protection agency. The quake was widely felt in Port-au-Prince and beyond. Officials said no damage was reported. haiti, which shares the island of hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, sits on the intersection of the North American plate and the Caribbean plate. In August 2021, a 7.2 quake struck haiti, killing hundreds of people. It occurred along the same fault zone that unleashed a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake in January 2010 that killed hundreds of thousands of people.
Senator Nenel Cassy speaks to journalists after a news conference in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, October 3, 2019.
Photo: rebecca Blackwell/AP
thiS June 2023 United States Coast Guard still frame from video provided by Pelagic Research Services, shows remains of the Titan submersible, center, on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.
Photo: US Coast Guard Video/Pelagic Research Services/AP
Tribune Mobile News Team: Valden Fernander
Blue Hill Road South after Faith United Way Corner
Pothole fixed on East Street in front of ‘Melissa Sears Fashions’ Store
Birth Terrace on Windo Lane
Open Trench on East Bay Street Opposite Nassau Yacht Club
Misty Garden Close by Marshall Rd.
Governor General attends Emancipation Day Ecumenical
The Governor General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt, attended the Annual Emancipation Day Ecumenical Service on the Fox Hill Parade, Fox Hill, on Monday.
Photos: Patrick hanna/BIS
The Division of Youth of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, held their 2025 Youth Apprentice Camp Trade Show, on July 30, 2025, at the Ivy Dumont Building. The Trade Show showcased the work of Youth Apprentices in various disciplines, such as photography, cooking, baking, agriculture, sewing, carpentry, and beauty trades.
Photos: eric rose/BIS