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Biggest And Best!

Volume: 123 No. 198, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

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FOUR FOUND DEAD AFTER PLANE CRASH Relatives recovered bodies as investigators begin probe into fatal accident

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AN American family was left heartbroken yesterday after their four relatives who went missing when their plane crashed in waters off North Andros were found dead, bringing a desperate search effort to a tragic end.

“We are devastated and ready to bring them home,” Silvi Larreau, niece of the pilot, told The Tribune yesterday after the discovery.

The passengers, identified as pilot Mario Lamar, his wife, Lili, and their two

Passers-by come to elderly man’s rescue

grandchildren, Sofia Sosa and Christian Sosa, were pulled from the water by family members a day after their plane vanished near Red Bays, Andros.

The group were travelling aboard a US-registered Piper PA-34 aircraft, N212ML, from Great Harbour Cay to Opalocka, Florida, after 11am Monday when the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control about 13 miles west of Andros.

Flight data shows the aircraft circling near Red Bays, North Andros, before losing altitude.

HEARTBROKEN - SEE PAGE THREE

Bahama Rock to halt production as 69 workers face lay-offs

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net Bahama Rock yesterday denied it is using employees “as a bargaining chip” over the proposed Freeport Harbour expansion as it confirmed the temporary lay-off of 69 staff for a 60-day period starting on Monday, September 21.

The Grand Bahama-based aggregate miner, in a statement to Tribune Business, said it plans to “cease production” of aggregate and limestone next Friday, September 18, with business and construction industry executives warning the move could deprive contractors throughout The Bahamas of vital materials and, ultimately, spark a

rise in local building costs if operations do not resume.

Bahama Rock said its decision was sparked by the “realities” that the firm’s existing source of aggregate and limestone is now “depleted” and unable to sustain commercially viable operations long-term. This has been compounded by SEE BUSSINESS FOR STORY

A GROUP of men risked their safety to rescue an elderly man trapped inside a burning Stapledon Gardens home on Monday, with one rescuer describing the experience as “wonderful”. See PAGE TWO for STORY

BUT seals deal for teacher’s pay agreement

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net TEACHERS scored a major victory yesterday, with the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) securing salary increases, lump-sum payments and other benefits for its members after months of negotiations.

The five-year industrial agreement, which runs from 2025 to 2030, is retroactive to July 1. It includes

a maximum teacher salary of $54,000, while entrylevel pay has increased to $30,100. Lump-sum payments were also agreed, with teachers expected to receive $700 in the third year and $750 in the fifth year of the agreement.

Hardship allowances were also secured for teachers who relocate to schools in the Family Islands.

BUT president Belinda DEAL - SEE PAGE FIVE

BUT president Belinda Wilson (centre) and Education Minister Chester Cooper pose for a picture after securing a new pay and benefits agreement for teachers.

Photo: Shawn Hanna

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE 2, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Men risk safety to save resident from burning home

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net A GROUP of men risked their safety to rescue an elderly man trapped inside a burning Stapledon Gardens home on Monday, with one rescuer describing the experience as “wonderful”.

Vaklev Bastian said he was driving through the area shortly before 3pm when he noticed a large amount of brown smoke and decided to investigate.

“When I looked to the left, I saw a lot of brown smoke, so I was very curious. So I said, ‘Let me even see where the smoke is coming from.’

And as I went up in the back of Stapledon, I followed the smoke and saw where it came from,” he said.

Mr Bastian said he soon realised someone was trapped inside the residence after seeing a neighbour on the phone calling the Fire Services.

He immediately stopped his car and joined another man who had also arrived after noticing the smoke.

He said the men were told the trapped man was inside the bathroom, prompting them to try to reach him. They managed to force open the bathroom door but were unable to enter because the area was filled with flames.

“We got the bath door open. We had to actually kick the bath door open. We got it open. We couldn't go inside because the side was full of fire,” he said.

The men attempted to use a hose to contain the flames while trying to get the man to safety, but Mr Bastian said the effort was unsuccessful. He eventually told the trapped man to make his way towards the back door, but the man was too frightened to

leave through the burning house.

Mr Bastian said the rescue effort lasted approximately 15 to 20 minutes before the men found another way to get him out. They placed a ladder through the bathroom window, allowing the man to climb towards the opening.

“And he crawled up to the bathroom window with a ladder. We had to put a ladder inside the window for him to climb up on a ladder. We pull them through,” Mr Bastian said.

He estimated that about eight or nine men gathered at the scene and worked together to rescue the man.

Mr Bastian said he believed the man was more than 60 years old and possibly close to 70.

Reflecting on the rescue, he said he was simply grateful that he and the other men were able to help.

“It was wonderful, man. That's what we were born to. That's what we were forgiving for the help,” he said.

Police said they were alerted shortly before 3pm on Monday to a structural fire at a residence on Landrail Close, Stapledon Gardens, where they were informed that a man was trapped inside.

Fire Services were dispatched and, upon arrival, officers found a single-storey duplex with one unit engulfed in flames. Neighbours had already rescued the man before police arrived. Emergency Medical Services assessed him at the scene before transporting him to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control and extinguished it. One unit sustained extensive damage, while the adjoining unit suffered smoke damage.

Police said the cause of the fire is unknown and the investigation remains ongoing.

Passers-by stop to rescue elderly man from house fire in Stapledon Gardens on Monday.

Deal joins Palmdale Grade 3 for Literacy Day reading session

FREE Town MP Lincoln Deal visited Palmdale Primary School on Tuesday, International Literacy Day, for an interactive reading session with Grade 3 students.

Deal read with the class and then asked questions about the story.

Teachers and observers said the pupils showed strong listening comprehension, answering clearly and staying

engaged throughout.

The visit highlighted the importance of early reading skills and community support for literacy.

The event formed part of local observances of UNESCO’s International Literacy Day, marked each year on 8 September.

Photos: Orion Bethell

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, PAGE 3

Family questions official response after four relatives found dead HEARTBROKEN from page one Relatives found one of the passengers yesterday morning after mobilising their own search teams and appealing for the public’s help amid apparent frustration with the official response to the missing aircraft.

“A civilian — one of our own family members — was the person who located our loved one and had to bring their deceased relative onto their own boat,” the family said in a statement.

“At this time, neither Bahamian authorities nor the US Coast Guard are out there searching the waters.”

An hour later, the family confirmed the remaining passengers had also been found dead.

They credited relatives and locals for assisting with the search, but said it was family members who ultimately located their loved ones and brought them aboard their own vessels.

Royal Bahamas Defence Force officials appeared to respond to the family’s criticism yesterday, saying an aerial search had been conducted for “a few” hours before being supported by the US Coast Guard.

“Following reports that human remains had been recovered, the RBDF team based in Bimini made contact with the vessel transporting the remains as part of the ongoing operation,” the agency said.

The family said it is now working with the US Coast Guard to bring the bodies home and has asked for privacy as they mourn.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported

us, searched alongside us and kept our family in their prayers.”

Mr Lamar and his family were returning home after spending their holiday at their vacation home in Great Harbour Cay. The 80-year-old pilot had more than four decades of flying experience and was also an attorney.

His 22-year-old grandson, Christian, was a recent graduate who specialised in marketing and also worked as a freelance photographer, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Sofia, 28, worked as a neonatal physician assistant at a medical centre in Miami.

Relatives said they last heard from them Monday via a text message saying they were on their way home.

However, the family became concerned after hours passed without contact.

Police said they received a report about the missing aircraft around 2.20pm Monday.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA), US Coast Guard and local fishermen were among those who joined the search.

Officials said teams were slightly delayed in starting the operation because of bad weather and later suspended the search, but efforts resumed after conditions improved.

Ahead of yesterday’s discovery, family members of the missing passengers urged boaters to keep a lookout and called on authorities to mobilise additional search resources.

Asked about the response efforts yesterday,

Pictured from left: Mario Lamar, Lili Lamar, Sofia Sosa and Christian Sosa. Photo of Mr Lamar’s plane taken by Dr Harold Munnings Ms Larreau said the family’s focus was on bringing their loved ones home rather than shifting blame.

Police said the recovered bodies will remain in custody in New Providence as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) confirmed yesterday it had opened a safety

investigation into the crash, but said it was too early to determine the cause or any contributing factors.

It added that neither the aircraft nor any debris had been found and that it was working with the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the United States Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA) and other international agencies.

The RBDF added that efforts would continue to locate the missing aircraft, with divers conducting underwater searches.

“The sole objective of the AAIA safety investigation is the prevention of future accidents and incidents. It is not

conducted for the purpose of apportioning blame or determining civil or criminal liability. The AAIA investigation is separate from search and rescue activities and from any judicial, law enforcement or regulatory investigation that may be undertaken by other authorities,” the AAIA said.

R M Bailey mourns lightning strike victim

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net R M Bailey High School’s community gathered yesterday to remember 16-year-old Anton Bowe, a Grade 11 student whose sudden death after being struck by lightning on the school grounds left his teachers and classmates struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

Bowe was remembered as a quiet, funny and wellliked student who made an impression beyond

his own classroom and was particularly proud of his involvement in the school’s technical studies programme.

Math teacher Delmon Rolle said he was devastated when he learned that the student killed in the incident was one of his own.

“After being told that a student died from what happened and finding out it is my student, it was very traumatising for my homeroom students and me also because, besides being in my math class, he is also known towards

the whole grade 11, so my homeroom is a class he isn’t in, but it's a class he affected.”

English teacher Errie Samario remembered Bowe as a student whose personality endeared him to those around him.

“Fun character. Everybody loved him in his time; he is quiet, but he is funny at the same time.”

Mr Samario said the news left the school community in disbelief.

“When we heard about what happened yesterday, we were all shocked. I had to take a moment and

Meteorologist urges caution during thunderstorms

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A CHIEF meteorologist is urging Bahamians to take precautions during thunderstorms, advising people to go indoors when lightning is nearby and avoid activities that could increase their risk of being struck.

Kaylinda Ward-Forbes said The Bahamas has recorded cases of people being struck by lightning in the past, including a fatal incident involving aircraft engineers at an airport.

“Yes, we have had some some cases. I can’t right offhand remember the year,” she said. “We had a thunderstorm that even wasn’t directly over the airport, but lightning struck more than one person on the aerodrome. These were persons for fixing the plane. Aircraft engineers, and one of them died.”

Her comments come after R M Bailey High School Grade 11 student Anton Bowe was struck by lightning and killed on the school grounds.

Ms Ward-Forbes said most thunderstorm activity occurs during the hurricane

season, which runs from June through November, but she could not say whether the frequency of thunderstorms has increased.

“What I would like to advise residents is to really pay special attention to the daily forecast, and once there is thunderstorms expected make sure you have yourself privy to some building that you can move indoors,” she said.

“Lightning and thunder they begin at the same time, but you will see the lightning before you hear the thunder. More than likely, if you hear thunder direct almost the same time as you see the lightning, that thunderstorm is directly above you and your chances are greater for lightning to hit something nearby.”

She said people participating in outdoor sporting activities should stop and wait until conditions improve.

“If you're indoors, we want you to avoid being near windows. If you have windows, make sure your windows are closed. Also, avoid using any corded appliances like your toasters, anything that carries electricity, because you

know lightning is actually electricity moving through the atmosphere. It tends to attract to anything that that is that is electrical as well.”

She advised people to avoid touching metal objects or chain-link fences and to leave pools or other bodies of water. People should seek shelter in a sturdy building or, if none is available, inside a hard-topped vehicle until the storm passes. Wireless cellular phones are generally safe to use.

Ms Ward-Forbes said thunderstorm activity got off to a relatively late start this year, with June experiencing unusually dry conditions.

“I can’t say the frequency has increased because it seems like we’ve gotten a late start to the season because of the El Nino effect,” she said.

She added: “I haven’t done the the analysis yet, but the month of June for this year has to be one of our driest months on record for June because we got very little rain in June, so that means we got very little thunderstorms as well.”

She said the season “started a bit late in terms of thunderstorm activity.”

A memorial was held yesterday for Anton Bowe, a R M Bailey grade 11 student killed by a lightning strike on Monday.

Photo: MOE let it just sink in because even now I cannot believe this could happen out of all the students under that tree, lightning strike one person, just one person.”

He said his thoughts remained with Bowe’s classmates, friends and family.

“I was so devastated yesterday, and I could imagine his colleagues in the class, his friends, his family. I cannot imagine the pain of the family at this time.”

Principal Shari Russell said Bowe’s contribution to the school extended well beyond his academic performance.

She described him as a student who made the school proud, particularly through the technical studies programme, but

said those who knew him would remember him most for the way he treated others.

Ms Russell urged students to support one another as they cope with the loss.

“He represented what we tell our pacers every day: go in line, do your work, and be each other's people. That's the kind of pacer that we are going to remember him for.”

She also encouraged students and staff to seek help if they were struggling.

The memorial followed Monday’s tragedy, which unfolded shortly after 9am as severe weather moved across New Providence.

According to police, a security officer had searched Bowe and

watched him walk away before he was reportedly struck by lightning and became motionless.

The school’s resource officer attempted to assist and observed that Bowe had suffered apparent burn injuries and was unresponsive. EMS personnel transported him to hospital, where police said he was pronounced dead at about 9.30am.

The incident prompted distressed parents to rush to the Robinson Road campus to collect their children, while concern spread across social media.

Director of Education Dominique McCartney-Russell said the school’s counsellors immediately began assisting those affected, particularly Bowe’s homeroom teacher.

Education Minister Chester Cooper also visited the school and offered condolences to Bowe’s family and the wider school community.

Mr Cooper said he had spoken with Bowe’s aunt and guardian, who is also a teacher, and offered condolences on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and the government.

He said grief counselling had been arranged for students and teachers and would continue throughout the week as needed.

Additional counselling sessions were also planned, with pastors, counsellors and other partners expected to assist the school community.

Police said detectives have interviewed the security officer and remain in contact with the school’s principal and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology as the investigation continues.

Following the memorial, the school was dismissed at noon yesterday.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

80 Grand Bahama jobs at risk at Bahama Rock

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT 80 jobs in Grand Bahama are at risk as Bahama Rock prepares to cease production on September 18 as its permitted limestone reserves near exhaustion.

The company, which employs 82 Bahamians, said its operations have reached a critical point as declining reserves force an impending shutdown.

Bahama Rock has confirmed temporary layoffs involving hourly workers as a result of dwindling reserves and the expected shutdown.

The development has raised concerns not only over potential job losses, but also the broader economic fallout, with the company contributing an estimated $25m annually to the island’s economy.

Bahama Rock, operated

by Martin Marietta, is an

aggregate mining operation that has proposed acquiring and mining 270 acres of the former Bahamas Cement Company (BCC) plant site as part of the Freeport Harbour expansion. It is seeking approval from the government.

In July, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) held a public consultation meeting to discuss the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed project and document residents’ concerns.

Many residents of West Grand Bahama have expressed strong opposition to the project, claiming that past blasting activities

by Bahama Rock damaged their homes and caused noise and dust nuisances.

Last week, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president Ralph Hepburn and board members met with Bahama Rock officials and toured

CRANE at work at Bahama Rock in Grand Bahama. the facility to get a better understanding of the project and the issues raised in the EIA. Mr Hepburn said the

Chamber is expected to release a statement on Wednesday.

In the meantime, Bahama Rock has denied

suggestions that it is using the potential loss of jobs to pressure the government into approving the proposed project at the

former Bahamas Cement Company site.

According to the company, the BCC property could provide access to additional limestone reserves, allowing Bahama Rock to continue its operations and help preserve jobs.

Bahama Rock also said it supports a thorough environmental review of the proposed BCC project, stressing that it does not view the situation as a choice between employment and environmental protection.

Instead, the company said the goal should be to find a solution that safeguards jobs, investment and the country’s long-term supply of construction materials while ensuring environmental concerns are properly addressed.

TJ Mackey, general manager at Bahama Rock, could not be reached for comment up to press time.

FNM senator urges probe of Simpson Penn conditions FREE National Movement (FNM) Senator Arinthia Komolafe has called on the Davis administration to investigate allegations of unsafe working conditions and unfair labour practices at Simpson Penn Centre for Boys.

She was responding to concerns raised by a worker at the centre, who claimed staff were overworked and underpaid at

the “understaffed” facility.

The longtime employee, speaking anonymously, told Eyewitness News that staff were tired of being treated like “dogs.”

The staff member claimed workers were forced to perform multiple roles and also raised concerns about insufficient security to properly man the facility.

Mrs Komolafe, who

serves as the FNM’s shadow minister for social services, information and broadcasting, called the allegations unfortunate and said the concerns warranted an immediate investigation.

“The allegations of unfair labor practices without adequate compensation are unacceptable.

It is both unsafe and unhealthy for an individual

to work for seven days non-stop with no rest days.

We implore the relevant authorities with responsibility for the center, inclusive of the Minister of Social Services to investigate these claims,” the FNM senator said in a statement.

She said it was important for the centre’s recently reported low recidivism rate to be maintained, adding the government has a responsibility to ensure adequate staffing to address the mental, physical, emotional and psychological needs of the young men at the facility.

“A proper staffing ratio is paramount to ensure the security of both staff and residents, the proper rehabilitation of these young men and to prevent any unfortunate incident.

International best practices dictate that there should be no more than eight boys per staff member. The staff members should be supported by experts and specialists while the infrastructure of the Centre should be properly maintained.”

“We commend the bravery of the whistleblower

FNM SENATOR ARINTHIA KOMOLAFE who sounded the alarm in the interest of the institution and nation. This latest matter further highlights the need for a robust good governance framework that protects whistleblower.”

A representative from the Department of Social Services said a statement responding to the claims was forthcoming. However, none had been received up to press time.

Commonwealth warns of bias risk in election coverage THE Commonwealth Observer Group has warned about potential bias in election coverage, citing close ties between the owners of private media houses and the country’s main political parties.

In its final report following the May election, the observer group said private media professionals should consider establishing an independent media association and developing a code of conduct for election coverage to strengthen self-regulation and professional standards across the sector.

The group said such measures would complement the existing regulatory framework administered by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA).

It also recommended that appropriate regulations be established to ensure equitable access to the media,

including state-owned media, for all political parties and candidates during election periods.

The group found that while overall media coverage reflected a “politically diverse range of views”, it received reports of close relationships between the owners of some private media houses and the main political parties, as well as concerns about perceptions of biased reporting resulting from those relationships.

“The Group encourages continued dialogue among media owners, journalists, regulators and civil society on editorial transparency, particularly during election periods.”

The observer group also raised concerns about the dual role of the Office of the Prime Minister’s Director of Communications, Latrae Rahming, who also served as the Progressive Liberal Party’s spokesperson during

the election.

It called for a clear and visible separation between the two roles, saying the overlap could undermine public confidence.

The group also reiterated its longstanding recommendations on campaign financing and access to information.

It said legislation should be enacted to regulate campaign financing, including the registration of political parties, contributions, expenditure and reporting requirements.

The group also called for the Freedom of Information Act to be fully operationalised and implemented, including through regulations and adequate resourcing of the Office of the Information Commissioner.

It said this would strengthen public access to official information and democratic accountability.

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THE TRIBUNE

Teachers secure pay rises in five-year agreement

BUT president Belinda Wilson standing alongside union members after they negotiated a new industrial agreement for teachers yesterday.

Photos: SHawn Hanna DEAL from page one Wilson and union members joyfully greeted the media yesterday morning after a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister. The meeting included Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Education Minister Chester Cooper and officials from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Service.

Standing alongside her members, Mrs Wilson said they were “elated” that the outstanding financial matters had finally been addressed.

Since October 2025,

the government and BUT have been at the negotiating table over unresolved salary increases and other financial provisions. The union repeatedly rejected the government’s financial counterproposals.

Mrs Wilson previously said teachers were seeking a 20 percent salary increase over three years.

Tensions escalated last week when the union placed more than 1,400 members on “industrial action alert” after teachers rejected the government’s financial counterproposal for a sixth time.

Members reportedly voted overwhelmingly

in favour of industrial action, prompting the union to place them on alert.

The latest threat followed months of warnings from the union that industrial action could be taken. However, yesterday Mrs Wilson told members they could put their “tennis” shoes back in their homes because the benefits had been secured.

She anticipated that teachers would see the pay increases reflected in their salaries as early as September’s payday or in October.

“The 20 percent increase was over a

EDUCATION Minister Chester Cooper speaks with the media yesterday.

GB Police probe break-in at Martin Town Primary School

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net POLICE on Grand Bahama are investigating a break-in at a public school in Eight Mile Rock, where cash and other items were stolen.

According to police, officers were notified shortly before 8am on Monday that an unknown person

or persons had broken into Martin Town Primary School.

When officers arrived at the school, they spoke with the principal, who told them the premises had been secured at about 4.30pm on Friday.

On returning to the school at around 7.45am on Monday, she discovered that someone had gained entry through the door to her office.

Several doors and windows were damaged during the break-in, police reported.

The school’s cellular phone, $150 in cash and an assortment of coins were stolen.

No arrests have been made and investigations are continuing. Anyone with information that may assist police with the investigation is asked to contact the nearest police station.

three-year period, so we pulled that back,” she said. “What we did is, we did a five-year proposal that juxtaposed what the government had, and so we’re pleased with what we’ve gotten today. And I think our members will be very, very happy.”

Mr Cooper described the meeting as fruitful.

He said the government and BUT would now work harmoniously to bring a revolution to the education sector.

“This is a positive outcome. It’s a great day for education,” he added.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, PAGE 5

‘PARENTS SHOULD PAY FOR ENGLISH LESSONS’

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson says parents should pay for English lessons for children who cannot speak the language before enrolling them in public schools.

Her comments come amid renewed complaints from teachers about the challenges of teaching students who cannot communicate in English, with some claiming significant numbers of Creole-speaking students in their classrooms.

Speaking to reporters yesterday outside the Office of the Prime Minister, Mrs Wilson said the issue had previously been raised with the Ministry of Education. Last year, the union also reached out to then-Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin about the issue.

Mrs Wilson urged the ministry to ensure that students entering the public school system can speak English proficiently.

“You would have the United Nations the rights of the child, so they cannot deny them access to education,” Mrs Wilson said.

“However, I think we need to stick with our policy, where English is our first language, and they should be able to speak English to a standard where the teacher can communicate with them.”

Over the years, the Haitian community has grown significantly throughout the country, resulting in more students of Haitian descent entering the public school system.

Some have suggested that an English Language Services programme could be implemented in the education sector.

However, Mrs Wilson said such a programme could be used, but it should not place another strain on public school teachers.

She suggested that students take English classes before entering the public school system. She cited a Creole school run by a Haitian national, which she said teaches children English before they enter the public school system.

Asked whether the government should fund children attending the Creole school, Mrs Wilson said no.

“I think their parents should fund it because you're getting education free of charge. So, I think their parents should fund them learning English and ensure that thereafter they enrolled into our public schools.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Chester Cooper said he was not aware of the issue. However, he stressed that where students are struggling with English or reading, officials must provide proper intervention.

“We believe that these problems don't just go away, and the longer we allow them to fester, the worse off that child is,” he said.

“If a child cannot read and comprehend, they don't do well in mathematics or science or any other subject. So the reality is, this intervention is always critical.”

Last year, Mrs Wilson said public school teachers were reporting an uptick in students who did not understand English. The BUT president claimed schools were enrolling a large number of non-English-speaking newcomers, mostly Creole speakers. She said limited English proficiency was contributing to low reading, writing and comprehension scores and fuelling classroom disruptions linked to students' frustration.

However, Director of Education Dominique McCartney-Russell refuted those claims, arguing there was “no widespread evidence” that large numbers of students in public schools could not speak English.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

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A family lost, and a nation seeks answers THE discovery of the four people who died after their aircraft went down near North Andros has brought a heartbreaking end to the search that began on Monday.

Mario Lamar, his wife Lili and their grandchildren, Sofi and Christian Sosa, had reportedly been returning to Florida after spending the holiday weekend in Great Harbour Cay. Instead, four members of one family have been lost.

We extend our deepest condolences to their relatives and loved ones. What began as an anxious appeal for assistance has ended in the worst possible news, and their family must now be allowed to grieve with dignity.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, police, Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association, United States Coast Guard, local boaters and volunteers who participated in the operation also deserve recognition.

Search and rescue operations across open water are difficult under the best conditions. Reports that poor weather hampered the effort illustrate the risks faced by those who went looking for the aircraft and its occupants.

Attention will now turn to how the crash occurred.

That process must be guided by evidence.

The aircraft, a Piper PA-34, departed Great Harbour Cay for Miami Executive Airport before air traffic control reportedly lost contact with it approximately 13 miles west of Andros. Beyond those preliminary facts, the public should resist speculation about mechanical failure, weather conditions, pilot decisions or any other possible cause.

Those are matters for the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority and its international partners to determine through the examination of the wreckage, available flight data, maintenance records, communications and meteorological information.

However, this tragedy has an added weight for The Bahamas.

Only two months ago, ten people died when a Flamingo Air aircraft crashed near San Andros Airport on Independence Day. Fourteen lives have now been lost in two separate aviation disasters near North Andros within a very short period.

There is no evidence at this stage that the two crashes had a common cause. One involved a Bahamian commercial operation and the other a privately operated foreign aircraft.

It would therefore be wrong to combine them into a single theory before either investigation is complete.

But two tragedies involving so many lives should compel a broader examination of aviation safety and emergency readiness.

The Government should ensure the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority has every technical and financial resource required to complete both investigations thoroughly.

Where specialised expertise is unavailable locally, assistance should be obtained from international agencies and aircraft manufacturers.

Preliminary factual reports should be published as soon as practicable, followed by final reports containing clear recommendations. Families deserve answers, while pilots, operators and regulators need reliable findings from which safety improvements can be made.

The country should also review whether aircraft travelling across Bahamian waters are being monitored as effectively as possible. That examination should include radar and communications coverage, flight-plan monitoring, emergency locator transmitters, weather advisories and the speed with which an overdue aircraft triggers a coordinated response.

Search-and-rescue capacity deserves equal attention.

The Bahamas is an archipelago spread across more than 100,000 square miles of ocean. Aircraft and boats are essential to national life, but responding to emergencies over such an enormous area requires functioning vessels, appropriate aircraft, trained personnel and effective coordination among public agencies and volunteers.

This is not an occasion for assigning blame before the facts are known. Neither should calls for answers be interpreted as criticism of the men and women who worked under difficult conditions to locate the missing family.

It is an occasion for mourning, investigation and learning.

Every aircraft accident contains lessons about the aircraft, its operation, the surrounding conditions or the systems responsible for detecting and responding to distress. Those lessons have value only when they are identified honestly and acted upon.

Four relatives left Great Harbour Cay expecting to return home together.

Their journey ended in tragedy.

The country must now support those who mourn them, thank those who searched for them and ensure that every answer capable of making aviation safer is pursued.

Beyond BGCSE: Building numeracy skills for life EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE annual release of national examination results understandably generates considerable discussion about student performance, particularly in Mathematics. Mathematics performance in our national examinations has been a recurring concern over many years, and we should continue asking an important question: Why are so many of our students struggling with BGCSE Mathematics?

However, I believe we should place a second question alongside it: To what extent does mathematics education equip Bahamian students with the numeracy competencies necessary to function effectively in everyday life?

These questions are related, but they are not identical.

BGCSE Mathematics is important. Mathematics develops logical reasoning, problem-solving, accuracy and analytical thinking.

Furthermore, satisfactory performance may be required for tertiary education, professional training and employment. We should therefore continue seeking ways to improve achievement.

At the same time, the purpose of mathematics education cannot be limited to passing an examination.

Every young person leaving school will encounter mathematics. They will earn wages, receive deductions, establish budgets, borrow money, pay interest, compare prices, interpret bills and bank statements, calculate percentages, use measurements and encounter statistics and probability in everyday decision-making.

This leads to a fundamental question: What minimum numeracy competencies should every Bahamian possess upon leaving secondary school, regardless of whether that student proceeds to university?

Perhaps we need to distinguish between academic mathematics and functional numeracy.

They are related, but they are not necessarily identical. A student may struggle with some areas of academic mathematics

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net while possessing reasonable everyday numeracy.

Conversely, a student may learn mathematical procedures sufficiently well to pass an examination yet experience difficulty applying mathematics to unfamiliar problems in everyday life.

The answer is not to abandon academic mathematics in favor of practical arithmetic.

That would unnecessarily narrow the education of our children.

We need both.

Our students should develop academic mathematical knowledge and reasoning while also acquiring the functional numeracy necessary for employment, personal finance, responsible citizenship and independent adult life.

Before concluding that the BGCSE Mathematics curriculum itself is deficient, however, we should examine the evidence. I would therefore suggest a curriculum-to-life-competencies mapping exercise, examining mathematics education from the primary years through BGCSE. Such a review could ask: Which competencies primarily develop academic mathematical understanding?

Which develops functional numeracy?

Which accomplish both?

What essential life competencies, if any, receive insufficient attention?

At what grade should essential numeracy competencies reasonably be mastered?

This last question is especially important.

BGCSE Mathematics should not be expected to correct every mathematical deficiency accumulated throughout a student’s previous years of schooling. If students reach secondary school without secure understanding of number sense, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percentages and proportional reasoning, later mathematics becomes increasingly difficult.

We therefore need to investigate not only where students finish, but where their difficulties begin.

Perhaps we should ultimately consider two complementary measures of success in mathematics education.

The first is academic mathematical achievement, including improved performance in BGCSE Mathematics.

The second is functional numeracy—reasonable assurance that every student leaving school can use mathematics competently in the ordinary circumstances of adult life.

This raises a challenging but necessary question: If a student leaves school without passing BGCSE Mathematics, what evidence do we have that the student nevertheless possesses the minimum numeracy competencies necessary to function effectively in adult life?

Asking that question does not lower educational standards. It may actually require us to define our standards more carefully.

Our national objective should be to develop students who can understand mathematics, perform mathematics, reason mathematically and use mathematics.

Therefore, as we continue discussing examination results, perhaps we should ask two questions: Why are so many of our students struggling with BGCSE Mathematics?

And are we ensuring that every Bahamian school leaver possesses the numeracy competencies necessary for life, work and responsible citizenship?

Improving examination performance is important.

Ensuring that our young people can confidently use mathematics throughout life is equally important.

We should pursue both.

Rev Perry R Cunningham, Ed.D., Educational Consultant Founder, CUNEDCO, Nassau, The Bahamas.

REV PERRY R CUNNINGHAM Ed.D., Nassau, August 26, 2026.

About countries’ responses to US’s Tariffs EDITOR, The Tribune.

GRATEFUL for this not taken for granted opportunity to vent sentiments, impressions, views on matters that impacts peoples of God’s world, so, thank you.

I have been paying attention to the dialogues, the responses by oh so many leaders of countries whom the US has decided that the numbers presently where not in accordance with its objective, and sought have them increased, reasonable I think, in particular, it falls in the domain of its right to adjust its custom duties, taxes?

Now, just deciding to apply a little basic, extrapolations for quality assurances: This question domestic products, produce, manufactured goods, habits origin, motivation firstly for domestic consumption, but something happened that elevated greed desires, causing a debate on coveting what was available in other countries.

The possibility of more, this, that, and the likes, thus the decision made to undertake the pitch with countries about it allowing these now foreign imports into their state and just what might the fees be? Surely the same way that a certain percentage was attached

in the interim, ought to mean that from time to time, increases were possible? After analysis they had the go ahead to import their products and as the relevant facts would have it, for years upon years they made killing selling, competing the local marketplace, against the locals (and since there is a time and a season for everything under the sun), conditions have come full cycle and now the receiving countries were crying wolf, but why and how come? If truth be told, I am dumbfounded by the conduct recently of Canada’s Prime Minister, the low-level rantings by some of the leaders, and aggrieved about the percentages listed in the tariffs. Almost as if the Americans’ have no right to attach, to levy increases on imported goods, services where it deemed necessary. This is a universal truth of good business dealings.

I call on Canada’s PM to consider for a moment what is at stake? And ask him to kindly stand down, for if he cannot handle small things, how then will he be able to tackle larger issues? In doing so, I admonished him to check his country’s facts in the same regard: Canadians have for centuries it seems, have had its banks operating in the

Commonwealth of The Bahamas, in direct competition with the local banks and raking in all of those profits exported back to Canada. Yet, the average Bahamian customers of Canadian banks in the Bahamas, cannot say that they were pleased with the withdrawal fees being charged to them, for money being held in bank clients’ holding accounts in their banks?

I call on President Trump to continue to continue to advance, pursue matters that he thinks aids the American people’s betterment, welfare no matter who it tends to rub the wrong way, and if there was anything untoward, is there a place to take disputes? If it were me, the disgruntled countries, I would seek to either comply with the numbers, or go elsewhere, but you know, the US has righter to levy fees, then countries have the right to complain about US fees?

Editor, the low-level squabbling taking place among the major countries of the world is totally unacceptable and just needs to be adjusted, too much time being wasted over frivolous vexatious littleness.

FRANK GILBERT Nassau, August 25, 2026.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, PAGE 7

Seven months prison sentence Woman testifies in Exuma rape for breaching bail conditions and aggravated assault trial

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN awaiting trial for allegedly robbing a Cable Beach pizza restaurant of $12,000 in April was sentenced to seven months in prison for breaching his bail conditions.

Jimmy Jean, 26, breached his nightly residential curfew twice, at 10.39pm on September 3 and 2.06am on September 4.

Jean was on bail on charges of robbery and abetment to robbery.

Prosecutors allege Jean and an accomplice violently robbed Peter Knowles of a bag containing $12,000 in cash belonging to Sbarro Pizza on Cable Beach as he was leaving the restaurant at 12.45pm on April 13.

The suspects reportedly fled in a teal Nissan vehicle.

Jean pleaded guilty to

violating his bail conditions before Magistrate Abigail Farrington.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Kendrick Bauld, the prosecutor, indicated that Jean had previous convictions.

Jean was sentenced to 18 months in prison on a firearm charge in 2023.

He was sentenced to seven months in prison for the bail violation and informed of his right to appeal within seven days.

Man gets absolute discharge after Facebook libel guilty plea

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was granted an absolute discharge after pleading guilty to libel for calling a woman a “thief” on Facebook, after telling the court she still owed him money.

Addis Huyler, 49, made the defamatory statement against Rowena Sutherland

in a Facebook post on August 21.

Huyler reportedly warned others in the same post not to do business with Sutherland and claimed she still owed him money.

Huyler pleaded guilty to libel before Acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans.

He told the court that he and the complainant had signed a contract and that Sutherland had not fully

MAN ARRESTED OVER ALLEGED CRUISE SHIP SEXUAL ASSAULT AN ALLEGED sexual assault involving two Belgian citizens occurred aboard a cruise ship early Monday morning, with a 47-year-old man later arrested in connection with the incident.

According to a preliminary police report, shortly after 2am on September 7, a woman alerted officials aboard the cruise ship that she had been sexually assaulted in her room by a man known to her.

Police said the woman reported that she and the man had visited several bars aboard the ship, where they consumed alcoholic beverages, before returning to their assigned room.

While in the room, the woman reportedly complained of a headache and

was given medication by the man. She told authorities that after taking the medication, she lost consciousness.

Police said the woman reported that she later regained consciousness and found the man sexually assaulting her. She then left the room and reported the alleged assault.

The woman was examined by a physician aboard the ship.

When the vessel arrived in New Providence, the incident was reported to the Tourism Police Station.

Officers from the Central Investigation Department subsequently arrested and cautioned the 47-year-old man in connection with the allegation.

Police also processed the scene for evidence.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

paid him as agreed. He said that while Sutherland had made a partial payment, she still owed him about $600.

Huyler claimed the situation had hurt him financially.

After hearing his submissions, Magistrate Evans granted Huyler an absolute discharge.

Corporal Moultrie prosecuted the case.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN accused of raping and assaulting the mother of his child in Exuma in 2024 was present as testimony was given in his trial.

Khethino Cadet is on trial before Justice Jeannine Weech Gomez on charges of rape and aggravated assault.

Prosecutors allege Cadet raped and assaulted a then 33-year-old woman in Exuma on August 17, 2024.

Fredricka Dames, who appeared virtually via Zoom, said that on the same date, the complainant appeared at her door crying

profusely.

Ms Dames said the complainant then explained what had happened to her.

Ms Dames said she was later present when the complainant and the defendant spoke on the phone, with the call on speaker.

When questioned by defence attorney Keith Seymour, Ms Dames could not recall whether the complainant had said during the call that the defendant had punched or choked her.

Ms Dames said she heard the defendant tell the complainant that they could work the matter out as a family without involving anyone else. However, she said the complainant refused the offer and

demanded to have her belongings and her child.

Ms Dames agreed that she was not present for the alleged incident.

She also said the complainant did not show her any bloody clothes when she went to her house.

The defence suggested that Ms Dames was being used by the complainant to support a “lie” against the defendant.

The prosecution objected to this line of questioning.

Ms Dames said the complainant continues to attend her Bible study classes in an effort to live by its teachings.

Eucal Bonaby and Cassie Bethel appeared for the prosecution.

Man admits to café break-in

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN admitted to breaking into a café in Exuma and stealing cash last week.

Deansley Rolle, 51,

broke into Lorraine’s Cafe & Bar on Queen’s Highway, Black Point, and stole $25 between 9pm on September 2 and 2am on September 3.

Rolle pleaded guilty to shopbreaking and stealing before Senior Magistrate

Kendra Kelly Burrows.

He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until he returns to court for sentencing on September 13.

Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom prosecuted the case.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Alicia Wallace

The British Crown visit . . . Really?!

IN the last week of August, it was reported that a visit from the British Royal Family is taking place in October 2026.

Such visits are at the expense of the host, and there are many reasons that this is completely inappropriate: from the history of slavery and colonization to the current issues of national concern; from the instability of the grid that should provide consistent, reliable electricity to the state of the roads.

There is, importantly, the call for reparations—a regional demand that comes from collaborative work to develop the CARICOM Ten-Point Plan for Reparations, which starts with a formal apology.

There ought to be no entertaining of any representative of the empire responsible for the trafficking of human beings, enslavement, and the gross conditions that extended beyond abolition.

This country does not need, and would, in fact, suffer as a result of this visit. Many people continue to be enamored by the British Royal Family, seeing nothing wrong with its existence. For them, it’s somehow glamorous and even coveted, which can only be the viewpoint of people who refuse to acknowledge the history and the very real, persistent consequences of the inhumane, violent, capitalistic behavior that family.

This newspaper published commentary from residents of The Bahamas, many of which were disturbing. Many responses are, frankly, bewildering and embarrassing.

One person said they were “thrilled” and expressed excitement about meeting people in the “Royal Family.”

Why? Some suggested that receipt of international aid is somehow related to—even contingent on—taking on the burden of hosting the people who refuse to make formal apologies for the transatlantic trade in enslaved people, slavery, colonization, and the continued effects of these grave crimes.

This visit has been conflated with “creating stronger diplomatic ties.” The ties do not need to be any stronger. The demand for reparations, however, needs to be more central to the relationship.

Another person said, “My reaction is just questioning, like, why? Why is he visiting?

What’s the purpose? Didn’t we recently have one from, I think it’s his son, William, and his wife?” These are fair questions. The purpose of the visit needs to be made clear, along with the cost to the Bahamian people which, to be clear, should be zero dollars.

The Bahamas National Reparations Committee released a statement on the upcoming

visit. It made excellent points with regard to this useless, expensive, demoralizing endeavor.

Struggling to survive, yet playing host?

The Bahamas National Reparations Committee said, “The truth is that this country is not well. Our power grid fails us. The cost of living grinds us down. Our health system carries the weight of a people who have never fully recovered from what was done to them. These are consequences. Consequences of chattel slavery. Consequences of colonization. Consequences of a system that broke up families, worked bodies to death, packed human beings into the holds of ships like cargo for weeks on open water, and sold them on

arrival. A system that then paid the enslavers and not the

enslaved, when it ended.”

The power imbalance is not accidental One of the most jarring comments from a resident of The Bahamas pointed to the power dynamic between The Bahamas and the British Crown, but completely ignored the injustice. “It’s good,” they said, “to have ties to people with power.”

Why should a former colony look to a colonizer with googly eyes, admiring its power? That power is not inherent. It did not come from nowhere. It’s a result of the exploitation of this land, this people.

In its statement, The Bahamas National Reparations Committee noted, with regard to slavery, “The greatest beneficiary of that system was the British Crown[…] It was our ancestors who then endured more than a hundred years of colonialism so that the empire could continue to extract what it had not yet taken. That wealth built Britain. It did not build The Bahamas. This is Britain’s Black Debt.”

The Bahamas has suffered as a result of the actions of the British Crown and its refusal to make repair, despite consistent demands.

Institutions are complicit “We must remove every institutional vestige of the Crown from our land, our governance, and our psyches. That is not a radical position. It is the next step of everything we say we believe about who we are. The next step in our march to a common loftier goal,” said The Bahamas National Reparations Committee.

Quoted directly from its press release, the committee calls on the British Government to: 1. Formally apologize for its role in the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans and the colonization that followed; 2. Commit to honest discussions with the governments of every nation that formed part of that empire; 3.

Understand that our

desire is not to pass judgment, but to receive justice.

A Decade for Accelerate Action We are now in the Second International Decade for People of African Descent as proclaimed on December 17, 2024. Then-Chair of the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, Barbara Reynolds, said, “It is now time to turn the rhetoric into reality, the acknowledgment into answers and the apologies into action to address the unfinished business of racial justice. For reparatory justice to right historical wrongs. For environmental justice, for sustainable development and for digital justice to assure the future of all peoples.”

The Durban Declaration and Program of Action—the outcome from nine days of complex dialogues at the August 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance—has yet to be appropriately implemented.

The Durban Declaration acknowledged “that slavery and the slave trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, were appalling tragedies in the history of humanity not only because of their abhorrent barbarism but also in terms of their magnitude, organized nature and especially their negation of the essence of the victims, and further acknowledge that slavery and the slave trade are a crime against humanity and should always have been so, especially the transatlantic slave trade, and are among the major sources and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and that Africans and people of African descent, Asians and people of Asian descent and indigenous peoples were victims of these acts and continue to be victims of their consequence.”

Rather than wasting taxpayer dollars to play host to a family with a genocidal legacy, the Government of The Bahamas ought to address the issues of

race and racism in this country. It needs to contribute to the end of the idea that racism does not exist in The Bahamas because the majority of the population is black. Racism is here, and it will be able to stay as long as it goes without confrontation. There are useful tools to facilitate this conversation, and there are practices that have been undertaken elsewhere to help people to face the truth of their histories and the connections to challenges of contemporary life.

The Durban Declaration is an excellent tool, as it names sources and causes of racism, preventative measures, and effective remedies, and it offers a program of action specific to Africans and people of African descent (as well as other groups including Indigenous Peoples, migrants, and refugees). It includes actions at the national and international levels, complete with strategies that include legal framework, international instruments, and engagement with civil society, the private section, and young people.

Key acknowledgements from the Durban Declaration include: A. Colonialism led to

racism and xenophobia “We acknowledge the suffering caused by colonialism and affirm that, wherever and whenever it occurred, it must be condemned and its reoccurrence prevented. We further regret that the effects and persistence of these structures and practices have been among the factors contributing to lasting social and economic inequalities in many parts of the world today.”

B. Racisms affects women and girls differently “We are convinced that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance reveal themselves in a differentiated manner for women and girls, and can be among the factors leading to a deterioration in their living conditions, poverty, violence, multiple forms of discrimination, and the limitation or denial of their human rights. We recognize the need to integrate

a gender perspective into relevant policies, strategies and programmes of action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in order to address multiple forms of discrimination” C. Complete history is critical “We emphasize the importance and necessity of teaching about the facts and truth of the history of humankind from antiquity to the recent past, as well as of teaching about the facts and truth of the history, causes, nature and consequences of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, with a view to achieving a comprehensive and objective cognizance of the tragedies of the past.”

D. Formal apologies are required “With a view to closing those dark chapters in history and as a means of reconciliation and healing, we invite the international community and its members to honour the memory of the victims of these tragedies. We further note that some have taken the initiative

of regretting or expressing remorse or presenting apologies, and call on all those who have not yet contributed to restoring the dignity of the victims to find appropriate ways to do so and, to this end, appreciate those countries that have done so;” E. Bad actors are responsible for ending the harm “We are aware of the moral obligation on the part of all concerned States and call upon these States to take appropriate and effective measures to halt and reverse the lasting consequences of those practices.”

The Durban Declaration affirmed the victims of human rights violations “should be assured of having access to justice, including legal assistance where appropriate, and effective and appropriate protection and remedies, including the right to seek just and adequate reparation or satisfaction for any damage suffered as a result of such discrimination, as enshrined in numerous international and regional human rights instruments, in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.”

F. National Human Rights Institutions are necessary “We recognize the importance of independent national human rights institutions conforming to the Principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights[…] including ombudsman institutions, in the struggle against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as for the promotion of democratic values and the rule of law. We encourage States, as appropriate, to establish such institutions and call upon the authorities and society in general in those countries where they are performing their tasks of promotion, protection and prevention to cooperate to the maximum extent possible with these institutions, while respecting their independence” The effects of slavery and colonization are present in our daily lives in The Bahamas. A visit from the British Crown does nothing to improve our situation. In fact, it makes it worse by continuing the fairy tale for far too many Bahamians who are still willing—perhaps desperate—to believe in it, ignoring the political issues it complicates.

The power dynamic is the result of violence, and the wealth disparity is the result of the ultimate theft—land, people, culture, and natural resources. Hosting a person owing us this great debt is foolish, and it’s incongruent with the call for reparations, which remains necessary and only grows in urgency.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, PAGE 9

Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target for voters

By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press

BURKE HALES, chief scientist for the PacWave wave energy test site overseen by Oregon State University, shows the electric cables that are buried under the seabed near Newport, Ore., Aug. 23, 2024.

AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer, File

Wave energy testing site opens off Oregon, a green energy milestone

By JENNIFER McDERMOTT Associated Press THE first large site in the continental U.S. for testing technologies that generate electricity from ocean waves is now open after securing a key green-energy approval from the Trump administration.

The federal approval is notable because President Donald Trump has created massive hurdles for clean energy, particularly offshore wind. His government has implemented policies that slow energy permitting and development, canceled billions in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects and spent nearly $4 billion to buy back leases to stop offshore wind projects.

But Trump officials see promise in harnessing the power of the ocean's waves.

Companies can now bring wave energy technologies off the coast of Oregon to PacWave South to test their ability to generate power in the open ocean and deliver it to the local grid. The goal is to advance an industry that's still in its infancy but has enormous potential for cleanly generating large amounts of electricity.

Oregon State University developed the test facility.

After Trump returned to office in 2025, PacWave had to pass a "go/no-go" review at the Energy Department that required approval by the energy secretary to open, PacWave Director Dan Hellin said. Hellin said the approval came through last summer and they connected to the grid this summer.

But the facility has yet to generate any electricity because no wave energy devices have arrived, with developers facing delays in federal funding.

Marine energy refers to power generated from tides, currents or waves The Department of Energy has invested nearly $150 million since 2016 in the facility's siting and construction costs.

The university is marking the facility's opening Thursday in an invitation-only event.

Bringing PacWave South online will help streamline the testing and permitting process that has held back marine energy for decades, an Energy Department spokesperson said in a statement.

Burning coal, oil and natural gas for electricity emits carbon dioxide, trapping heat in the atmosphere and warming the planet. By contrast, marine energy is carbon-free.

It has the potential to

power about 57% of U.S. electrical needs, according to federal estimates. The Energy Department says that even if only a small portion of this is captured, marine energy technologies would make significant contributions to America's energy system.

The department also says the wave energy devices that will be tested at the PacWave site can enhance national security, in contrast to its characterization of wind energy.

The administration has worked to stop offshore wind development on the grounds that it's a national security risk since late last year.

The Energy Department said that technologies that convert wave energy to electricity are "uniquely suited to provide power sources for national security applications." Those could include remote sensors, autonomous underwater vehicles and other equipment that requires persistent, low-visibility power in remote and sensitive offshore and coastal environments, as well as power resiliency for forward military bases.

Developers can bring several types of wave energy converters there The PacWave South site in Oregon isn't the first grid-connected wave energy test site in

the nation — the U.S. Navy has one in Hawaii — but it's the first to be connected to the continental U.S. grid. It's also "pre-permitted," which means developers can bring several types of wave energy converters there without having to acquire permits on their own for testing, saving them time and money. Those include point absorbers, oscillating water columns and attenuators.

"When you're developing this technology, ultimately you have to get to that stage of full-scale open water testing, connected to the grid. And that's the real bottleneck for the global industry, the fact that there's very few facilities like this," Hellin said.

A point absorber is the most common type. These buoylike devices move up and down, converting the motion of waves into electricity. An oscillating water column uses the rise and fall of waves to push and pull air through a turbine to generate electricity.

An attenuator is a long, floating device. As its sections flex with the motion of the waves, that movement is converted into electricity. These devices use subsea cables to connect to the grid to supply that electricity to shore.

Ashley St. Clair and Alex Gibney on AI and the dangers of Elon Musk

By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer VENICE, Italy (AP) — A new documentary about Elon Musk uses a CGI avatar and artificial intelligence voice syncing to simulate an interview with the SpaceX and Tesla CEO using things he's really said in interviews.

The choice, filmmaker Alex Gibney said Tuesday in Venice before the film's world premiere, was intentionally ironic. It both references Musk's proposition that we're all living in a simulation and pokes at his somewhat paradoxical and shifting views of the technology. Gibney said it is to convey the "reality of what he's done and unreality of his narrative."

The filmmakers consulted lawyers before going too far down the road and got the sign-off to use the Musk avatar.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker was joined at the Venice Film Festival by Ashley St. Clair, once a conservative

influencer, who with Musk appears in the talks about relationcharacter nondiscloagreeshe and

shares a child and who film. She their ship, his and the sure ment was asked,

DIRECTOR Alex Gibney poses for photographers at the photo call for the documentary film ‘Musk’ during the 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival.

Photo: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

refused, to sign to guarantee paternity support.

"I was offered the opportunity not to speak for $40 million," she said.

St. Clair earlier this year also sued Musk's AI company, saying its Grok chatbot allowed users to generate sexually exploitive deepfake images of her that have caused her humiliation and emotional distress.

The film goes into Musk's takeover of X and what Gibney says is the manipulation of the algorithm.

"One thing that I didn't properly understand when I started the film was how Musk tweaked algorithms at Twitter to, in fact, prioritize vitriol and hate over, you know, the town square," Gibney said.

"Wired" reporter Zoë Schiffer, who also appears in the film, added that "he has tweaked the algorithm, both to suppress mainstream journalism and then to augment some of the more inflammatory comments and voices on that platform."

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Wisconsin's candidates for governor want to limit them, while Pennsylvania's say they support a ban.

A Michigan congressional candidate called them “un-American.”

A Florida Senate candidate is selling merch opposing them.

Across the country and up and down ballots, candidates from both parties are increasingly on the attack over Flock cameras, the AI-powered nationwide network of automated cameras that record license plates and other characteristics of all passing vehicles, allowing law enforcement agencies to search and share that data. Although police say the cameras are an invaluable crime-fighting tool, some critics say their pervasiveness amounts to unconstitutional warrantless mass surveillance.

The cameras sold by Atlanta-based Flock Safety, which the company has said are running in 6,000 communities in every state but Alaska, have become a new campaign issue that candidates and strategists see as part of a backlash against powerful technology companies, connected to broader debates over the future of artificial intelligence and the associated boom in data center construction.

Assad-era Syrian reactor was configured for nuclear weapons, IAEA chief says

By STEPHANIE LIECHTENSTEIN Associated Press VIENNA (AP) — The Assad-era government in Syria was constructing a nuclear reactor that was configured to produce fissile material for possible use in nuclear weapons, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Monday.

The “configuration” and the “technical features” of the nuclear reactor under construction in Syria during the leadership of ousted former President Bashar Assad were “very efficient in the production of fissile material that could be directly used for the fabrication of nuclear weapons,” IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said.

“Of course, that was never declared, that was always denied, so, and again, intentions cannot be judged, but that was a very serious proliferation concern that we had,” he told reporters on the first day of a regular meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, in Vienna.

Syria was believed to have operated an extensive undeclared nuclear program under Assad that included a nuclear reactor built by North Korea in eastern Deir elZour province.

Following Assad’s ouster, the new government agreed to give IAEA inspectors access to suspected former nuclear sites.

During a visit to Syria in August, IAEA inspectors confirmed that “the cooling infrastructure which has now been uncovered is consistent with that of a nuclear reactor.” Grossi and a team of senior inspectors also visited a previously undeclared site in the country.

AI boom heats up Bay Area housing market as wealthy buyers drive demand

By ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Here’s another place the AI frenzy is making itself felt: the market for luxury homes.

High-income earners, many of them employees at AI companies, are snapping up multimillion-dollar houses in the San Francisco Bay Area, undaunted by the higher mortgage rates and rising home prices that have prevented many would-be buyers from affording a home.

The Bay Area buying spree is the clearest manifestation of a nationwide trend of sales of upper-end properties largely holding up better than sales of less expensive homes. Metro areas such as San Diego, Miami, Detroit, Nashville and Tampa, Florida, are also seeing upper-market homes sell at a faster pace.

The hotter market for luxury properties comes at a time when the broader housing market remains stuck in a yearslong rut. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes were essentially flat last year, moored at a 30-year low.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

World News

Party's over for crypto scammers who went on a spending spree after a $240 million bitcoin theft

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — They pulled off one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts in U.S. history, duping a stranger out of bitcoin worth over $240 million. They tried to hide their digital fingerprints, carrying out a sophisticated scheme to launder the proceeds.

And then the party started.

The scammers — a network of young men in their late teens or early 20s — celebrated the August 2024 heist by embarking on a wild spending spree. They purchased fleets of sports cars, flew on private jets, hired security guards and rented

mansions in Miami and the Hamptons. An alleged ringleader, 22-year-old Malone Lam, spent over $569,000 in one evening at a Los Angeles night club.

Their bender lasted a month before FBI agents arrested Lam on charges that he organized a "social engineering" attack on the Washington, D.C., resident.

Lam, an eighth-grade dropout from Singapore, has a plea agreement hearing set for Tuesday. His conviction would be a capstone for the government's investigation.

The charges against Lam and 17 others are an extreme example of an increasingly common form of cybercrime.

Complaints of cryptocurrency investment fraud to the FBI

rose by nearly 50% in 2025, while Republican President Donald Trump's administration largely abandoned a regulatory crackdown on the volatile industry.

Last year, the Justice Department disbanded a unit dedicated to prosecuting crypto-related crimes. Meanwhile, crypto companies that complained of unfair treatment during Democratic President Joe Biden's presidency are enjoying the government's hands-off approach under Trump, who took in roughly $1.2 billion from his crypto businesses in 2025.

Cybersecurity researcher Allison Nixon, who has spent years tracking The Com, an underground subculture of young hackers united by the THIS Justice Department court filing in the case against Hamza Doost and Kunal Mehta, that includes a photo of Malone Lam, is photographed Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

AP Photo/Jon Elswick

Death Notice For

Mr. Charles Strachan, 71 affectionately called

“Charlie Brown” a resident of Yamacraw Beach Estates, New Providence, Bahamas, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11th, 2026 at Christian Life Church, Sea Breeze Lane, New Providence. Officiating will be Bishop William Jay Simms assisted by other ministers of the gospel. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road, New Providence.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife: Melda Strachan; sons: Charlen (Rita), Javaughn and Chaquille (Brittney) Strachan, Kodiah (Naquel) Rolle, Kofay Ferguson; daughters: Charlene Strachan and Samantha Peterson; grandchildren: Davante Brown, Kiro and Chaquille Strachan, Shandon, Codiah and Kodiah Rolle Jr., Shaquelle Balfour, Shaniyah Smith and Shlunda Ferguson; great great grandchild: Shadiah Rolle; brothers: Arthur Henfield, Stephen (Melaine) Strachan, Anthony (Debbie) and Shain Strachan, Trevor Musgrove; sisters: Judy Gilbert, Zelda (Edwin) Munnings, Sandra Rolle, Carolyn (Otis) Ferguson; sisters-in-law: Christine Williams, Melanie Strachan, Carolyn Young-Miller, Madlyn Young, Mizaph Rolle, Elaine Young and Nina Ingraham; brothersin-law: Edwin Munnings, Samuel Rolle, Otis Ferguson, John Young; adopted sons: Jason Haley and Dentry Mckinney, Brenden Smith; Adopted Daughter: Donika Smith; nieces: Florene and Sonia Gilbert, Lisa Cammaert-Smith, Monique Johnson, Christine and Sasha Maingot, Rachel and Carol Henfield, Kendyce, Stefanisha, Kentrel, Misty, Jade and Angel Strachan, Stevisha (Simeon) Rolle, Latisha, Mykia and Malaysia Ingraham, Jessica Ferguson, Theresa (Pedro) Saunders, Princess (Vincent) Johnson, Samantha and Shantel Rolle, Precious Moss, Latara and Tarias Young and Jevika Benton; nephews: Supt. Nathaniel (Laurel) Gilbert and Edmund Gilbert, Stephen (Abby) Strachan Jr., Kacey Rolle, Khamal (Regina) Rolle, Keino (Rena) Rolle, Shane (Sarah) Patterson, Kevin and Michael Ingraham, Kyle Strachan, Owyn Ferguson, Samuel and Sebastian Rolle, Jonathan Young, Prince Moss, Ian Strachan Jonathan and John Young Jr. Shamar and Elrod (Patrica) Munnings, Khaelem Rolle, Sebastian Maingot, Arlington Neely, Alvin Strachan; godchildren: Jasmine, Jaidon and Skylah Haley and Joshua Ferguson; other relatives and friends: Kent, Gerard, Charmaine, Shantel Colebrooke, Tanya Young, Anya Frances, Pearline Henfield, Sr. ACP Zhivago Dames and Family, Bishop William Jay Simms and Family, Pastor Collie and Family, Elder Philiip Butler and Family, Elder Kirvy Ferguson and Family, Elder Eulin Dames and Family, Humphrey and Suzanne Simmons, Keith and Orienthia Ferguson, Marcian and Anya Dorsett, Lester and Sharon Farrington, Andrew Moss, Patrice Adderley, Stephanie Johnson, Christopher Russell and Family, Min. Vandyke Pratt and Family, Antione and Katherine Austin, Kimsley Feguson and Family, Trevor Miller and Family, James Anwar Johnson and Family, Elsa Carey, Gaylan and Sharon Lafluer, Michael and Sabria Rolle, Larry and Tera Bowe, Marissa Smith, Karen Rahming, Gaynell Peterson and Thurza Pratt, Cindy Albury, Rhonda March, Effie Owens, Freddie Mackey and Family, Julia Sands, Rosedore Beneas, The Aquinas Aces Class of 1973, The CLC Usher board Ministry, The CLC Finance Ministry, The CLC Soup Kitchen Ministry, The CLC Marriage Club Ministry and the entire CLC Family. Special thanks to Charlene Russell, Gary Fernander, Shaquille Poitier, Livingston Romer the nurses on MED. SURG. WEST at PMH., Eleuthera Drive Family, Rui Hotel Family, The BestWay Shipping Family and Fritz Lane Family and a host of relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Cedar Crest Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Baillou Hill Road, New Providence on Thursday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

"insane amount of money" that crypto fraud can generate, advocates for more law enforcement resources to go after them.

"If we don't seriously ramp up the resources to take these people down and do it faster, then it's going to spread more and more," she said.

Scammers nabbed millions though 'social engineering' heist A man identified as "Victim 7" in court filings was at home in Washington on Aug. 18, 2024, when his phone rang. The first caller identified himself as a Google representative inquiring about attempts to breach his account. A second, claiming to be from the Gemini crypto exchange, warned the man of a malware attack affecting his crypto wallet.

The callers manipulated the man into giving them access to his Google Drive and revealing security codes that allowed Lam to siphon off over 4,100 bitcoin, according to prosecutors. They said Lam and his friends on the calls — Veer Chetal and Jeandiel Serrano — targeted the man because he was a wealthy, longtime crypto investor.

A private recording captured the moment when the friends realized how much money they just stole, according to a video posted by a well-known private investigator of cryptocurrency crimes who goes by ZachXBT. "Oh, my God! Bro, bro, I'm going to spaz out!" a voice on

renting for $47,500 a month.

Lavish spending quickly drew attention Serrano was vacationing in the Maldives when investigators identified him as a suspect. Lam was in Los Angeles, where he and friends spent $4 million at nightclubs in one month, authorities say.

Chetal gifted a Lamborghini to his parents and hid a duffel bag filled with $500,000 in cash in their laundry machine.

Word of their windfall quickly spread in crypto scammers' circles. A week after the big score, Chetal's parents were driving in Danbury, Connecticut, when several masked men cut them off, forced them out of their new car, beat Chetal's father with a baseball bat, shoved the couple into a van and bound their hands.

The captors, from Miami, had intended to use Chetal's parents as leverage for extorting him into giving up his share of the stolen crypto.

But the ransom plot fell apart when witnesses notified police, who apprehended the carjackers.

The FBI showed up to search Chetal's apartment in Brunswick, New Jersey, on Sept. 9, 2024, and found $37 million in stolen crypto in his possession. He agreed to cooperate with their investigation.

Lam was attracting attention, too, for spending hundreds of thousands of dollars a night at clubs and tossing handbags worth tens of thousands of dollars to women

his Miami mansions on the same day as Serrano. An offduty law enforcement officer had tipped off Lam that authorities were on their way to arrest him, the indictment says.

"We always talked about what it would be like if I were to go down, but never thought it would be this crazy," Lam told associates from jail on a recorded call, according to his indictment.

The judge for Lam's initial court appearance in Miami sounded astonished by a prosecutor's summary of his lavish spending.

"I could only think of Ferris Bueller gone bad," U.S. Magistrate Alicia Valle said, referring to the school-skipping protagonist of the 1986 movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Lam's capture didn't stop the splurging. Ferro, who pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge last year, used stolen funds to cover Lam's legal expenses.

Judgment Days Eighteen defendants have been charged. Lam would be the 11th to plead guilty.

At Lam's first court appearance, a prosecutor estimated that his sentencing guidelines would recommend a prison term of at least 14 years upon conviction.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who presides over Lam's case, already has sentenced three of his co-conspirators. She sentenced two money launderers to prison

THIS Justice Department grand jury superseding indictment against Malone Lam and his co-defendants is photographed Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

AP Photo/Jon Elswick the video said.

Once they swiped the man's savings, they used money laundering specialists to wash it through multiple exchange platforms and convert virtual currency into government-issued cash.

It wasn't the first social engineering scam for the friends, who met in online gaming forums. They had teamed up on other multimillion-dollar thefts since late 2023 using a similar playbook, according to prosecutors.

This time, however, one of them made a costly mistake: Serrano failed to conceal his IP address when he created an account on a cryptocurrency exchange to hold nearly $30 million in stolen crypto, according to prosecutors.

Investigators linked the IP address to a home in Encino, California, that Serrano was

in the crowds. He also used stolen cryptocurrency to buy a $2 million watch and over 30 cars, including custom Porsches, Lamborghinis and Ferraris, according to the FBI. "This luxury lifestyle, of which so many young men and women could only dream, was just built on a foundation of fraud," a prosecutor, William Hart, said during a recent sentencing hearing for a money laundering co-defendant.

'Ferris Bueller gone bad' Serrano was wearing a $500,000 watch when FBI agents arrested him at Los Angeles International Airport on Sept. 18, 2024. He initially professed his innocence but soon admitted to having roughly $20 million of the D.C. man's stolen crypto, prosecutors said.

Lam was arrested at one of

terms of approximately six years.

Chetal pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in November 2024 and awaits sentencing. Serrano's charges remain pending.

Tucker Desmond, who pleaded guilty to destroying evidence of other plotters' crimes, was sentenced to probation. Desmond apologized at his sentencing hearing in March, saying he "got obsessed with the image of success rather than actually becoming a hard-working individual myself."

Ferro declined to address the court during his sentencing hearing in May. His attorney, Kevin Wilson, described the co-defendants as mischievous "young kids," but the judge didn't accept that as an excuse.

"Being young only goes so far," Kollar-Kotelly said.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, PAGE 11

Passing 1.5 C of global warming cause for alarm, not despair

By ERIC GALBRAITH Research Professor, Experimental Sciences & Mathematics, ICREA; McGill University THE news has been full of headlines about findings from a United Nations report: the world is set to exceed the 1.5C global warming target set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The report has raised concerns and questions about what a 1.5C increase could mean for our world.

As an Earth system scientist who has researched many aspects of the carbon cycle and long-term climate change, I was not surprised by the report’s findings. The scientific community saw this grim milestone coming from a long way off.

The vagaries of weather might make it seem that climate is fickle and prone to abrupt turns. Climate extremes often strike without warning, suddenly erupting across our news feeds — or, if we are unlucky, into our own lives — like bolts from the blue.

But global warming is like a freight train. It is massive, slow and has tremendous inertia. That inertia comes from the slow thermal adjustment of the planet’s oceans and atmosphere to the carbon dioxide we emit.

Once released, carbon dioxide is slowly absorbed by the ocean or taken up by plants. As long as it remains in the atmosphere, the planet inexorably accumulates heat, day after day, year after year.

This process does not make sudden movements; it rolls

along the track at a speed largely determined by the global rate of emissions.

So the 1.5C threshold was visible from a long way off, and it was clear how quickly we needed to reduce emissions to avoid crossing it.

Instead, the freight train continued to accelerate, its engine stoked with more coal, oil and natural gas than ever. Crossing the 1.5C threshold is a sign that we are entering increasingly dangerous territory.

The worst is still avoidable Crossing 1.5C is a call for greater action, not despair.

It is not a magic number.

In Paris, the global community chose 1.5C as a target intended to limit the most serious risks of climate change.

However, even in 2015, it seemed to those I knew in the field that it would have taken an extraordinary level of global co-operation to halt warming before the 1.5C threshold was passed. It was a worthy aspiration for the world, but it was a long shot.

Some recent headlines tell us that climate change is past the point of no return and its worst impacts are now unavoidable. This is misleading.

Climate change has, in one sense, been past a point of no return for many decades: we have never had a practical way to simply restore the pre-industrial climate of the 19th century.

More importantly, however, many of the worst potential impacts are still

SAD farmer is sitting in a agricultural field during the long drought. Because of the lack of water in area.

Tackling climate change has never been easy, but the essential task remains the same: sharply reduce and ultimately end the burning of oil, coal and natural gas while developing viable alternatives. avoidable. The risk of crossing climate tipping points increases with additional warming, so a world warmed by 2C would still be substantially safer than one warmed by 3C. The damage to life on Earth, including the systems on which humans depend, will continue to intensify the further warming goes.

If we were to burn all the accessible fossil fuels we

know of, temperatures could rise far beyond current levels. Such warming would be catastrophic and could make much of the world profoundly different from the one we know today. We are still far from the worst possible outcomes.

Stop burning fossil fuels The further the freight

train goes, the more important it becomes to apply the brakes as quickly and strongly as possible. There is no known cliff at 1.5C; instead, the track continues into a progressively harsher and more dangerous world.

The UN report refers to the situation we are entering as an “overshoot” and discusses how its duration and peak warming can be

limited. As the report says, “every fraction of a degree matters”.

The most certain way to halt human-caused global warming is to end net carbon dioxide emissions, which requires a rapid reduction in the burning of fossil fuels. Doing so will require building an energy system that supports human well-being while phasing out the existing fossil-fuel system as quickly as practicable.

Once fossil-fuel emissions have been brought under control, deliberately removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere could help bring temperatures down by a few tenths of a degree.

However, our ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere on the enormous scale that might be required remains uncertain.

Natural approaches, such as planting trees, can be vulnerable to future changes, including increased forest fires, while some technological approaches remain unproven at the necessary scale and are currently expensive.

Tackling climate change has never been easy, but the essential task remains the same: sharply reduce and ultimately end the burning of oil, coal and natural gas while developing viable alternatives.

Exceeding 1.5C of global warming is a giant warning flag. It is not a reason to give up, but a reason to redouble efforts to put the brakes on further warming.

Potential impact of a record-breaking El Niño on the world’s weather

By MANDY FREUND Lecturer, Climate Science Geography, University of Melbourne THE world is bracing for an exceptionally strong El Niño.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says the event is firmly established and is expected to intensify into a very strong El Niño in the coming months, increasing the risk of extreme weather around the globe.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the world is in the “danger zone” of extreme weather as ocean and global temperatures continue to rise.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon involving unusually warm ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.

It can cause major changes in temperature, rainfall and atmospheric circulation around the world.

Globally, we have experienced many strong El Niños in the past, but the current event is developing under exceptionally warm conditions in the tropical Pacific and is expected to strengthen further.

So what’s behind this unusually strong El Niño? And how might it affect weather across the globe?

An exceptional El Niño Scientists track El Niño

activity using temperature data from the tropical Pacific Ocean near the equator.

One widely used measure is the Niño 3.4 index, which tracks sea surface temperature anomalies in the central-eastern equatorial Pacific. Scientists are also increasingly using a relative index that accounts for the background warming of the world’s oceans. This can help distinguish warming associated with El Niño from the broader warming of the oceans.

The current El Niño stands out for two main reasons.

Extra early El Niño generally develops between March and June and typically reaches peak intensity between November and February. This event is already very strong for this stage of its development and is expected to strengthen further before peaking towards the end of the year.

Extra hot Ocean temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific are exceptionally warm. WMO data shows that the widely used Niño 3.4 index averaged 1.5°C above normal from May to July and reached 2°C above normal in July.

Weekly values from late July to mid-August ranged from approximately 2.2°C to 2.6°C above average.

Even more exceptional warmth has been recorded below the ocean surface,

BLEACHED staghorn coral on a Florida reef. with temperatures in some areas more than 8°C above average during July and early August.

In Australia, El Niño years tend to coincide with hotter and drier conditions.

However, every El Niño is different, and the strength of an event does not by itself determine how severe its effects will be in a particular country or region.

The current El Niño may also increase the likelihood of 2027 setting another global temperature record, although that outcome is not certain.

How is it affecting the world’s weather?

This powerful El Niño is already influencing weather

patterns around the globe, with some of its most significant effects expected in countries surrounding the Pacific Ocean.

El Niño can increase the likelihood of drought, floods and extreme heat in different parts of the world, although its effects vary considerably by region and season.

It can also reshape how and where tropical cyclones form. El Niño typically favours increased tropical cyclone activity in parts of the central and eastern Pacific as warmer ocean conditions and changes in atmospheric circulation make those areas more conducive to storm development.

In Australia, the effects of El Niño are expected to become more apparent as the country moves through spring.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s seasonal outlook points to warmer and drier conditions across significant parts of the country. Such conditions can increase bushfire risk, although El Niño alone does not determine whether a severe bushfire season will occur.

Past events demonstrate that variability. In 1982, a strong El Niño coincided with drought-like conditions in Australia. During the strong El Niño events of 1997–98 and 2015–16, rainfall patterns varied substantially between regions.

What may lie ahead The intensifying El Niño is occurring against the backdrop of long-term human-caused climate change.

El Niño itself is a natural phenomenon and is not caused by climate change. However, its effects are unfolding in a world where land and ocean temperatures are already substantially warmer, potentially increasing some climate-related risks.

The WMO says there is a nearly 100 per cent probability that El Niño will persist through February 2027. It expects the event to strengthen further before peaking towards the end of 2026, with climate effects

continuing well into next year.

A very strong El Niño increases the likelihood of significant changes in rainfall and temperature patterns and associated risks of drought, flooding and extreme heat. But the effects will not be uniform.

Other climate influences, including conditions in the Indian and Atlantic oceans, can strengthen, weaken or alter the typical effects of El Niño in individual regions.

For farmers and vulnerable communities in particular, those shifts can have serious consequences as drought, flooding and extreme heat threaten crops, water supplies and livelihoods.

To protect people and ecosystems, governments will need reliable forecasting, early-warning systems and continued climate research. Better modelling can help identify which regions are most at risk and give governments and communities more time to prepare.

The exceptional El Niño now developing is another reminder of the risks posed by extreme weather in a warming world. While El Niño is a natural climate cycle, reducing humancaused greenhouse gas emissions remains essential to limiting the long-term warming against which future El Niño events will occur.