标签： Bahamas

Prominent Bahamian gaming executives Sebas Bastian and Adrian Fox have vehemently denied allegations connecting them to human and firearms trafficking through convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as detailed in a recently released FBI document dated September 30, 2021. The document, part of the Epstein case files, contained claims from an informant who alleged Epstein exerted control over both Bahamian and US governments.

Bastian, currently campaigning as the PLP’s Fort Charlotte candidate, dismissed the allegations with forceful rhetoric. “I don’t do fool,” he stated, adding, “The closest I come to Epstein, Jepstein or any Stein is the stain on my shirt.” He emphasized his focus remains on the upcoming election and national development rather than these claims.

Fox expressed “grave concern” about the report’s contents and issued a categorical denial: “I want to unequivocally state that I have never had any personal interaction with him [Epstein], nor have I engaged in any activities that could be construed as illegal, including the sale or trafficking of firearms or women.”

The FBI document also referenced other Bahamian figures including Craig Flowers, principal of rival FML Group of Companies, though without connecting him to trafficking allegations. Flowers did not respond to media inquiries before press time.

Additionally, former national security minister Marvin Dames was mentioned (under the misspelling ‘Marvin James’) as having brought the informant to the US embassy in Nassau where she provided her information. Dames confirmed this aspect of the report while questioning the document’s overall authenticity. The informant, whose identity was redacted in the FBI report, has been identified by Tribune Business as a wealthy US expatriate and fitness professional residing in Paradise Island’s exclusive Ocean Club Estates.

A growing educational crisis is unfolding on the remote island of Mayaguana, where frustrated parents have staged protests against a severe and persistent teacher shortage at the island’s sole comprehensive school. For years, this deficiency has forced students to rely heavily on virtual learning—a solution severely compromised by frequent power outages, unstable internet connectivity, and systemic technical failures.

The situation has had tangible academic consequences. Cheryl Farrington, a single mother of four, reported that after returning to Mayaguana, her daughters’ grades plummeted dramatically, with their GPAs falling by nearly a full point. This decline is emblematic of a broader pattern affecting the school’s roughly 30 students across primary and secondary levels.

Education Director Dominique McCartney-Russell has acknowledged the grievances, confirming that the ministry is negotiating with utility providers to enhance services. Furthermore, recruitment efforts are underway, with at least two local candidates identified for teaching positions. Parents were asked to allow a two-week period for administrative processing.

However, parental trust is at a breaking point. Pristore Cartwright and other parents revealed that promises of additional instructors have been made—and broken—for years. Virtual learning, initially a pandemic stopgap, has remained in place for four years, leading to half-days of instruction and inconsistent education delivery. In some instances, teachers have sent threatening emails regarding overdue assignments, despite students lacking proper instruction.

The frustration culminated in a peaceful protest where parents occupied classrooms and recorded videos detailing their concerns. These clips, sent to local media, feature accounts of children failing classes and returning home distressed. A subsequent meeting with education officials was held to address the emergency.

With multiple graduating classes reportedly failing and students missing diplomas, some families are considering leaving the island to secure viable educational opportunities for their children. Vanessa Moss, another parent, noted that her daughters feel increasingly discouraged, questioning the value of attending school under such conditions. While teachers encourage maintaining hope, the community’s patience has worn thin, signaling an urgent need for tangible resolution.

A groundbreaking media alliance between The Tribune and Grand Bahama 242 News promises to revolutionize news distribution throughout the Bahamian archipelago. This partnership introduces ‘Around da Islands,’ a vibrant weekly supplement distributed complimentary within Friday editions of The Tribune, dedicated to comprehensive coverage of Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.

The full-color tabloid will deliver penetrating features on regional developments, including infrastructure expansions, hospitality ventures, investment opportunities, and community narratives. This initiative directly addresses longstanding concerns about Nassau-centric media coverage by ensuring consistent reporting from historically underrepresented islands.

Tribune President Robert Dupuch-Carron emphasized the collaboration’s national significance: ‘This strategic alliance represents a monumental advancement in authentic national storytelling. We’re committed to ensuring the distinctive voices, achievements, and narratives from Grand Bahama and the Family Islands receive appropriate nationwide recognition.’ He further noted the partnership’s timing coincides with Grand Bahama’s developmental resurgence and addresses perceived neglect of outer island communities.

Sarah Kirkby, proprietor of Grand Bahama 242 News, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded reach: ‘This collaboration enables us to magnify coverage of the nation’s second city and surrounding regions through enhanced distribution channels. Our transition to Friday publication synchronizes perfectly with this expanded mission to share inter-island stories.’

The partnership assumes particular importance following the vacuum created by Freeport News’ closure. While maintaining robust digital presence, the print expansion now guarantees weekly curated content from Andros, Eleuthera, Abaco, Exuma, Cat Island, Bimini, Long Island, Harbour Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Inagua, Mayaguana, Ragged Island, and the Berry Islands.

Operational integration will see Tribune correspondent Denise Maycock collaborating with Grand Bahama 242 News lead writer Barbara Walkin, ensuring consistent editorial standards and deepened reporting capabilities across both publications.

A severe traffic incident involving an unlicensed ride-sharing service has highlighted critical regulatory failures in The Bahamas’ transportation sector, leaving a preschool educator with life-altering injuries and raising urgent questions about passenger safety protocols.

Anishka Pratt-Williams, a Grand Bahama teacher, sustained a broken neck and severe facial injuries requiring extensive medical intervention following a January 26 collision. The accident occurred during her regular commute home from work with a driver illegally operating under the ‘Uber’ branding—a company that holds no operational license within The Bahamas.

According to witness accounts, the designated driver diverted from the route and transferred vehicle control to an unauthorized individual moments before the crash. During heavy rainfall, the vehicle lost traction, colliding with a roadside tree with substantial force. Emergency responders extracted Mrs. Pratt-Williams from behind the driver’s seat where she had been trapped with multiple critical injuries.

Medical personnel at Rand Memorial Hospital documented two fractured cervical vertebrae and eyelid lacerations necessitating thirty surgical stitches. Physicians warned that minimal movement could potentially cause paralysis or fatal complications. Financial constraints delayed specialized medical transfer until her husband secured a $2,300 cervical brace through personal funds and community donations.

Investigation revealed the involved vehicle operated under rental agreements with insurance coverage excluding the secondary driver. Despite initial promises of financial assistance, the service provider subsequently declined compensation and failed to produce legitimate operating documentation when confronted by journalists.

The Bahamas Ministry of Energy and Transport had explicitly warned against illegal ride-sharing operations in April 2025, emphasizing that only Road Traffic Department-authorized franchises may legally transport paying passengers. Legal requirements include Public Service Driver’s Licenses, commercial vehicle franchises, business licenses, commercial insurance coverage, and regular safety inspections.

Tyrone Butler, President of the Bahamas Taxicab Union, confirmed ongoing concerns regarding regulatory enforcement. ‘These operations constitute unauthorized hacking services exploiting public trust through misleading terminology,’ Butler stated, noting previous rejections of Uber-style models due to legal and insurance incompatibilities.

The victim has expressed strengthened spiritual faith alongside determined pursuit of accountability: ‘Survival has intensified my resolve that operators must face consequences for endangering lives through unlawful practices.’ The family currently faces financial instability as both spouses remain unable to work during ongoing medical treatment.

The Bahamas government has mandated equal employment participation for nationals in the construction of a landmark $268 million medical facility, marking a significant shift in labor policy for major infrastructure projects. Health and Wellness Minister Michael Darville announced to the House of Assembly that Bahamian workers will constitute exactly half of the construction workforce for the new specialty hospital on the Perpall Tract, with Chinese workers comprising the remaining 50 percent.

The groundbreaking agreement includes robust enforcement mechanisms, with Minister Darville emphasizing that any violations by the Chinese contractor would result in financial penalties. Recruitment and assessment teams from the Departments of Labour and Immigration will be stationed on-site to register skilled Bahamians, refer qualified candidates directly to the contractor, and ensure continuous compliance monitoring.

Leonard Sands, President of the Bahamian Contractors Association, hailed the arrangement as a ‘milestone achievement’ while advocating for monthly labor reporting to prevent the agreement from being undermined. This caution stems from previous disappointments with foreign-led projects, notably The Pointe development, where promised 70/30 labor ratios ultimately showed 264 foreign workers to merely 90 Bahamians.

The 200-bed facility, designed primarily for women and children, represents one of the nation’s most significant healthcare investments. Financing structure reveals 73% of project costs (approximately $195 million) will be covered by the Chinese Export-Import Bank, with the remaining 27% financed through local or international sources.

Environmental considerations feature prominently in project planning, with consultants already tagging and potting native species for transplantation during landscaping phases. Engineering assessments have addressed flooding concerns, identifying pre-existing drainage deficiencies that will be corrected at government expense through expanded drainage ponds and improved canal management.

The project timeline anticipates 30-36 months for completion, followed by a three-year maintenance contract that will integrate Bahamian technical teams from the outset, ensuring knowledge transfer and sustained local involvement beyond construction phases.